Trustee

Make a Real Difference in Norfolk's Learning Disability Community

Mid Norfolk Mencap seeks up to 6 committed trustees to join our Board  

Are you looking to use your skills and experience for meaningful impact? Mid Norfolk Mencap, supporting people with learning disabilities across Norfolk, is recruiting trustees to guide our charity.  

Location

Our charity’s office and principal activities are in Dereham, Norfolk.  All Board meetings are held in person. Sub-committees can meet face-to-face or hybrid via Teams to suit sub-committee members. We encourage our trustees to visit the office and all services whenever possible.

Support 

You will be supported by the Chair, other members of the Board of Trustees, and the CEO.

Responsibilities

As a trustee, you have important personal responsibilities to ensure the charity is well-governed, effective, and operates for the public benefit.

·      Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes and delivering public benefit

·      Understand the charity’s purposes as set out in our governing document, and be able to explain how all activities further or support these purposes

·      To ensure that the charity pursue its stated purposes, as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy

·      To ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, applicable charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations

·      Manage the charity’s resources responsibly by making sure that the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects for the benefit of its members

·      Ensure that the charity’s assets, beneficiaries or reputation are not exposed to undue risk

·      You must exercise reasonable skill and care, drawing on your own expertise and experience, and seek appropriate advice when necessary

·      You should dedicate sufficient time, thought, and energy to your role, ensuring you are well-prepared for, attend, and actively participate in all Board meetings.

·      Be able to demonstrate that the charity is complying with the law, well run and effective

·      Ensure appropriate accountability within the charity, both to members and in relation to delegated responsibilities.

Qualities and experience 

This role is best suited to candidates who can demonstrate knowledge and experience that will benefit the charity, and who possess the following characteristics:

·      A proven track record of integrity and respect for confidential and proprietary information

·      A keen and respectful listener who can empathise and respectfully challenge

·      Commitment to the charity, approachable for the people we support, and enthusiasm for its vision, mission and aims

·      Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

·      Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a trustee (we estimate this to be 2-3 hours per week in addition to Board meeting commitments below)

·      Strategic vision

·      Sound, independent judgement

·      Willingness to participate in frank and open discussion

·      Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

·      The ability to read and understand management reports

·      Skills to analyse proposals and their consequences

·      Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the Board

·      General competence with IT

·      Willingness to be available to provide guidance to the senior management team on an ad hoc basis

Time commitment

The charity holds quarterly Board meetings, with each lasting approximately 2 – 3 hours. All Board meetings are held outside of normal office hours.

It is suggested that approximately two hours preparation time be allowed for prior to each meeting to ensure trustees are familiar with items to be discussed.

Sub-committees meet quarterly with each lasting approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. Approximately one hour is suggested for preparation in advance of the meeting.

Typically, all trustees attend the AGM in person, and at least one annual fundraising or social event hosted by the organisation. These are held on evenings or weekends.

To allow time to settle into the role, and to see the fruits of your work, we suggest that candidates assume a three-year commitment to Mid Norfolk Mencap at the outset.  

Training

You will be given a basic induction to the charity and opportunities to meet with the leadership team. 

All trustees are required to complete the statutory Oliver McGowan training. Additional training opportunities will be identified based on your individual experience and qualifications, ensuring you have the support needed to excel in your role.

Through the trustee recruitment and on-Boarding process, we will arrange for you to meet with our Chair and CEO, and we encourage you to explore their motivation and rewards as part of your evaluation of us.

Rewards

The role of a trustee is voluntary and is not accompanied by any financial remuneration. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed for required travel, training, communication and childcare/carers to enable trustees to attend and participate at Board meetings.  

Conditions of engagement

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. At Mid Norfolk Mencap, we celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an environment where every employee, volunteer and Board member is valued, respected, and empowered – no matter their background.

You cannot serve as a trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act. This includes situations such as having an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (for example fraud), being bankrupt or having entered a formal arrangement with creditors (such as an individual voluntary arrangement) or having been removed as a company director or charity trustee due to misconduct.

Appointment to our Board of Trustees is subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and the production of a clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.

Application process

If you would like to apply for a trustee role, or to discuss it informally, please contact us.

Our recruitment process will typically include the following:

·      Interview, providing the opportunity for you to meet with the Chair, CEO and other members of staff

·      An invitation to attend the Mid Norfolk Mencap office to meet some of the people we support

·      Dedicated email/phone support for any queries or concern

Closing date for applications 14th November 2025. Interviews will take place 24th November - 5th December 2025. Successful applicants will be formally nominated to join the Board at our AGM on 22nd January 2026.

Please note: our recruitment process is designed to facilitate a two-way dialogue.  We recognise that you need to be as comfortable with us and our operating model as we are with you. Our commitment throughout, is to be open, transparent and to give you as much information as we possibly can so that you can be sure you are making an informed choice to volunteer as a trustee with us.