Trustee role - 2025
Trustee Role Description – Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN)
- Location: UK-wide (Board meetings online, with occasional in-person events)
- Time Commitment: 8–12 hours per month
- Term: Initial 3-year term, renewable up to a maximum of 9 years
- Remuneration: Voluntary Role (expenses reimbursed)
- Start Date: October 2025
- Applications Open: July 2025
- Applications Close Date: 5 pm, Friday 5th September 2025
- Interview Dates: 15th September (PM) and 17th September (AM)
The Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to transforming mental health environments through inclusive, evidence-based design. Our network brings together professionals from healthcare, design, policy, and lived experience to improve mental health outcomes and create spaces that promote dignity, safety, and healing.
As a Trustee, you will help guide the strategic direction of DiMHN, ensure effective governance, and champion our values. Trustees are expected to provide strategic oversight and contribute expertise to subgroups or advisory functions.
- Shape and review DiMHN’s strategy, vision, and values.
- Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and governance requirements.
- Monitor performance and support the CEO and executive team.
- Act as an ambassador for DiMHN, promoting our vision, purpose, and values, as well as the work we do.
- Contribute to fundraising, research, and partnerships.
Joining the Board of DiMHN presents an opportunity to shape the future of mental health environments across the UK and beyond.
You’ll be part of a passionate, forward-thinking community working at the intersection of design, care, and lived experience.
As a Trustee, You'll:
- Shape strategic direction to drive meaningful change in mental health environments across the UK and beyond.
- Collaborate with a diverse network of leaders, experts, and lived experience advocates, influencing the future of mental health design.
- Provide governance and oversight that ensures the charity’s growth, sustainability, and impact.
- Champion inclusivity by elevating voices often excluded from design and decision-making processes.
- Influence policy, standards, and innovation at national and international levels to embed evidence-based design in mental health care.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for people who believe in the power of design to change lives. Whether you come from healthcare, design, research, lived experience, or another walk of life, if you’re motivated by the idea of creating more inclusive, compassionate mental health environments, we want to hear from you.
We have two Trustee vacancies and warmly welcome applications from both first-time trustees and those with previous board experience.
We value fresh perspectives and offer support to help you thrive in the role. We are especially interested in individuals who can bring insight in one or more of the following areas:
- Mental Health Services & Policy: Clinical, community, lived experience, commissioning, or estates, facilities and planning.
- Digital Health & Technology: Expertise in AI, immersive tech, digital platforms, or digital strategy in care settings.
- Finance & Commercial Strategy: Income generation, business development, or financial planning in health, social impact, or design sectors.
- Research & Evaluation: Academic or applied research, impact measurement, or policy analysis.
We’re also looking for Trustees who embody our values:
At DiMHN, our work is grounded in our core values. We’re looking for Trustees who reflect these values through both mindset and action:
Be Courageous
– You’re willing to ask challenging questions, confront assumptions, and help push boundaries to make mental health spaces more inclusive and compassionate.
Empathy in Design
– You understand that good design starts with empathy. Whether through lived experience or professional perspective, you value collaboration and co-production with those who access mental health care and support.
Evidence-Led, Impact-Driven
– You’re curious, reflective, and motivated by real-world change. You use evidence to guide decisions and are focused on outcomes that make a difference.
Improve Together
– You believe in learning together. You’re generous with your skills and committed to helping the DiMHN and the wider sector grow stronger through collective action.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be over 18 and eligible to serve as a charity trustee.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We are actively working to improve the diversity of our Board, recognising that inclusive leadership strengthens both our governance and our ability to achieve our purpose. Diverse perspectives lead to better decisions, richer insight, and more equitable outcomes for the communities we serve.
We know that some groups remain underrepresented in charity governance, including people from racialised communities, disabled people, LGBTQAI+ individuals, younger adults, and people with lived experience of mental health. We also value regional diversity and welcome applications from across the UK. We encourage applications from
How to Apply
Send your CV and a short written or video/audio statement (max two pages or five minutes) to workwithus@dimhn.org, titled “[Your Name] Trustee Role.” Or click the ‘apply’ button above and below.
In your statement, tell us why you’re interested, what you’d bring, and any support you might need to thrive in the role.