Keep The Heid Mental Health Cafe Request (Applicant)

Organisation Description

Keep The Heid Mental Health Cafés offer a safe space to talk about mental health. Sessions are facilitated by a mental health professional and peer volunteer, both with lived experience of mental health problems.

Constituted in March 2021 we now run 3 weekly evening sessions in 3 locations across East Lothian. We now want to expand into other local authorities so are looking to expand our Board and expand our skillset.

Sessions are completely free. There is no need for a referral, to book in advance or for a formal diagnosis. Anyone aged over 16 is welcome and sessions are held in easily accessible community spaces.

The impact on users is profound;

“I think when you’ve been through the system, it’s like a lifeline. It’s not fixing you. It’s a place of safety.”

“I’ve tried all the things, but this group is the best thing that I’ve ever had.”

What are they looking for?

We are looking for a Trustee, with a background in the NHS, third or private sector at a senior level. A lived experience of living with mental health problems is preferable but not essential.
We are a new charity starting small but have ambitions to expand our provision to other local authorities in Scotland.

The minimum commitment is a Board meeting every two months held on Zoom in the evening. Meetings generally don't last longer than 90 minutes and our Founder keeps papers concise. Constructive criticism when applying for grants would be gratefully received.

Our Chair is Iain Gray, former MSP for East Lothian and we are ably supported by Miriam Harte, Treasurer and experienced Executive and Non-Executive Chair for the Health, Housing and Heritage Sector. Our other Trustees the Rev Liz O’Ryan, Loreen Pardoe and Chris Read have a wealth of skills and live locally but a Scotland or UK wide perspective would be of value.