NEWS

Join us and become a Bild trustee

Join us as a trustee to help us enable excellent support, champion the rights and improve the quality of life of people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people with mental health difficulties.

Professor Gerry Simon set up the British Institute of Learning Disabilities – now known as Bild – in 1971 because he was convinced there could be better support in the community for people with disabilities.

We’ve been championing the rights of people with learning disabilities (including people with a learning disability who are also autistic or have a mental health condition) ever since.

Our vision is a society where people with disabilities are equal citizens, able to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. We do this by working to develop the skills and culture necessary to better understand and meet people’s needs to improve their quality of life.

What we do

We facilitate change, turning research, policy and evidence-based practice into practical workforce and organisational development programmes that help ensure excellent support and a better quality of life for people with disabilities.

Our consultancy, training, conferences and publishing all contribute to supporting organisations to continually improve practice.

The role

We are in a new chapter of our development with a new chair who is looking to strengthen our inclusivity, our reach and our impact. We want to appoint new trustees who can govern our organisation clearly and effectively and have a passion for the work we do . We need people who can think creatively and positively to guide our organisation forward to reach our aims and vision and make sure we achieve real change in people’s lives. We would like to appoint trustees who understand the challenges experienced by the people we work for and who can support us to improve their lives and promote their human rights.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience (who have learning disabilities, are autistic, or are parent carers) and senior leaders from provider organisations. We are keen to increase diversity on our board. We are looking for people whose values fit closely with ours and are proactive, solution focused and collaborative. We welcome applications from people who are committed to working in partnership with people with lived experience.

Whilst experience of supporting people with disabilities, of being a charity trustee or working in education, health or social care is desirable it is not essential.

You will need to be available to attend four board meetings (currently virtual) a year, plus an annual strategy day in person. The position is unremunerated but expenses are paid for meetings.

For more information or to apply for the role, please send a CV and covering letter by Monday 9th November 2020 to our CEO Ben Higgins, [email protected].

You can find easy read guides on the role of a charity trustee here.