At Marches Counselling Service we are reaching out further into the community to take our professional, confidential service to a broader range of those managing difficult times in their lives. Help us respond to the growing need.
Trustees of Marches Counselling Service (MCS) lead services in our well-respected British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited charity. New trustees will contribute to supporting existing work as well as developing new opportunities. We welcome people from varied backgrounds with an interest in mental health. We would appreciate the opportunity to strengthen the existing skills of our board, and in particular would value input from those with experience in finance and I.T.
The core commitment is attendance at quarterly board and business meetings where on-going development is planned and decided. For anyone able to contribute further, trustees chair various working groups: developing policies and protocols; handling publicity; writing funding proposals; and opening up training possibilities. Meetings are held in Hereford city, generally in the early evening.
Trustees work as part of the wider staff team, bringing strategic skills and knowledge to an expanding range of services across the county of Herefordshire and the Marches. As well as our counselling service we are increasingly providing courses and workshops for the wider community. Currently based in Hereford city and utilising rooms in the market towns, we are working towards establishing satellite bases in the rural areas.
We would appreciate the opportunity to strengthen the existing skills of our board, and in particular would value input from those with experience in finance and I.T.
Personal qualities are as important to us as specific skills. We are looking for people who are open-minded, approachable, appreciative of the challenges which face third sector organisations in an increasingly difficult financial environment, and most importantly understand the difficulties people can experience with regard to their mental health.
It is important that they enjoy and value team working, as well as being prepared to take on responsibilities in line with the role of trustee.
We welcome people from a variety of backgrounds and different levels of experience. Anyone joining us will need to be both rigorous and creative in their approach.
As a small mental health charity based in a rural area of the country where services are spread thinly and experiencing the increasing cut backs to statutory funding, we increasingly find that we are plugging gaps in service provision. We have seen demand grow in a variety of areas, and want to be as responsive as possible to the needs of the community. We have a good track record in achieving funding and have been careful in ensuring that whatever we do is sustainable. We have thus built a reputation for providing a reliable and compassionate service.
However, we are aware that there are many opportunities which we have not had the human resources to engage with. Having established a sound foundation we now wish to build upon this, whilst maintaining the quality of our present work for which we are respected. New trustees would be a vital part of increasing our range of services and influence, which we hope to achieve through the establishment of satellite bases in the rural areas. Provision of services and their accessibility in rural areas has long been problematic and is increasingly so.
As well as the knowledge that you would contribute to a much needed and valued service in the community, becoming a trustee would give you the opportunity of being part of a dedicated and enthusiastic team. Facing new and different challenges with like minded people can increase your knowledge base, provide intellectual stimulation and enrich personal development. In addition to this it would be enjoyable!
