Title: Lived Experience Trustee
Reporting to: Chair, Board of Trustees
Contract: 4yrs with up to 2 terms
Hours: 5 – 8 days per year
Salary: While Trustee roles are normally voluntary, we don’t want affordability to be a barrier for those with Lived Experience, therefore we pay Reward & Recognition (R&R) for any duties you undertake as a Trustee.
Location: Home working/ London
Closing date: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled
We welcome applications from people with transferrable skills and qualities, and people with diverse employment histories and personal backgrounds.
Download voluntary role description and person specification
What we are looking for
We are seeking two Lived Experience Trustees to join our board.
Do you have lived experience of either mental health or learning disability/social care service either as a direct user or as a parent/ carer of someone who is or has used these services, especially advocacy? The role of Lived Experience Trustees is to help bring insight of those with lived experience to governance and decision making. You will also attend our Service User council which is held 4-6 times a year for 2-3 hours. This is normally held during the day. The role of Trustee role can be both challenging and rewarding, we recommend that people applying are not actively accessing mental health services at present and have had at least 3 months since their last time accessing community-based services or 6 months since accessing inpatient mental health service.
Who we are looking for
- Lived experience of mental health issues or learning disability either personally or as a parent/carer.
- Interest in shaping and influencing the future of The Advocacy Project
- Understanding and awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion issues.
- Experience of or understanding of providing constructive user involvement feedback and influencing at meetings or committees
- Ability and willingness to engage with sometimes complex ideas and documents
- Ability to understand the importance of and present the views of other service users and carers, as well as your own, when required
- Ability to understand and the legal role and responsibilities of trusteeship
- Ability to work well with people who may hold different views
- Active participation in meetings
- Good communication skills
- Ability to attend quarterly board meetings and user council meetings in person
About The Advocacy Project
We help people speak up and make decisions about their health, wellbeing and social care. We’re here to make sure people across all ages and care groups can understand their rights, make effective choices about their lives and voice their concerns. Some of the ways we do this include:
- advocacy services that make sure people can express their wishes when decisions are being made about their care or wellbeing
- user involvement projects that help organisations improve what they offer by listening to people who use their services
- local Healthwatch organisations, which act as health and social care champions for the areas they serve and give people a direct channel to share their feedback
- innovative Personal Health Budget projects that allow people to access items and services to improve their wellbeing.
Our services are independent, confidential, and free to those receiving them. Together, our teams are standing up for essential rights and supporting people to have a say on the issues that matter to them.
How to apply
Upload your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you think you’re the person we’re looking for and how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required for this role. (NB we will only be accepting applications from candidates who upload both a supporting statement and CV).
It’s a legal requirement that you are eligible to work in the UK for all our posts.
If you have any questions, please email:
The Advocacy Project is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.
The Advocacy project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults’ , successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.