About the organisation
At Mid Norfolk Mencap, we believe in creating a world where individuals with learning disabilities are not just seen but are valued equally, heard, and included. Our commitment goes beyond providing services; it's about fostering a community that embraces diversity, champions fairness, and stands up for what is right. With a foundation built on trust, care, and positivity, we strive to empower those we serve to lead fulfilling lives, actively engage in their communities, and access opportunities available to everyone.
About the role
Mid Norfolk Mencap’s Board of Trustees ensure the charity has a clear strategy and that our core services and developmental aims are aligned with our vision and mission. The people we support are at the forefront of everything the charity seeks to achieve, and the Board regularly monitors that this remains the case. Trustees are also legally responsible for the charity’s management and administration.
Being a trustee at Mid Norfolk Mencap involves making decisions that will impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Through your role, you will make a meaningful difference to the lives of people we support and to the local community.
At the same time, we have a growing paid team, and trustees should play a key role in ensuring that Mid Norfolk Mencap is an inclusive and respectful employer.
Trustees are encouraged to take oversight of specific areas of the charity and its development, based on their experience and interests. This provides further opportunities to make tangible contributions to the transformation of our services.
Board meetings are held quarterly in the evenings, lasting approximately 2 -2.5 hours, with sub - committee meetings also held quarterly for 1.5 -2 hours. The role requires time for preparation for meetings and occasional engagement with the charity’s activiti es and events. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
As a trustee, you have important personal responsibilities, including:
- To ensure the charity is well -governed, effective, and operates for the public benefit.
- To ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes
- To 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
- To 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.
Our ideal candidate
This role is suited to candidates with knowledge or skills which would be of benefit to the charity as we undertake a period of transformation in the organisation. This experience might have been gained in a professional capacity or through direct experience of living with a learning disability. At Mid Norfolk Mencap we highly value both forms of expertise, and we actively work to create a diverse and inclusive Board.
We are seeking trustees with specific professional skills and expertise to strengthen our Board and enhance the support provided to our CEO and their team. For this reason, we would particularly welcome applications from people with experience in finance, corporate risk management, fundraising, contract management and risk, and quality assurance.
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
What’s in it for you
Becoming a trustee for Mid Norfolk Mencap offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities, while gaining valuable skills, experience, and personal fulfilment. As part of our Board, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of a charity that embraces diversity, champions fairness, and strives to empower those we serve to lead fulfilling lives.
This is a deeply rewarding role. You’ll see the real-world impact of your decisions reflected in the positive changes our charity brings about every day. The role will allow you to connect with a cause that matters, with colleagues who care deeply, and with a community that is stronger because of your contribution. You’ll play a vital part in ensuring that people with a learning disability are heard, respected, and included in all aspects of society.
At the same time, you’ll develop a wide range of transferable skills and insights. As a trustee, you’ll gain first-hand experience of charity governance, strategic planning, and financial oversight; skills highly valued across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. You’ll learn how to balance vision with practicality, how to ask the right questions, and how to work collaboratively to solve complex challenges. The role also offers opportunities to strengthen your leadership, communication, and decision-making abilities in a supportive, values-driven environment.
You’ll work as part of a diverse and welcoming board, where everyone’s perspective is valued. We encourage open discussion, creativity, and mutual learning. Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to give back, or someone earlier in your career seeking meaningful experience at Board level, you’ll be supported to contribute your expertise while also developing new areas of knowledge.
If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity that challenges and inspires you in equal measure, while allowing you to make a tangible difference, becoming a trustee with Mid Norfolk Mencap could be exactly the role for you.
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