Are you passionate about mental health, community wellbeing, and making a real difference in the lives of new and expectant parents? Smile Group, a trusted perinatal mental health charity in Cheshire East, is recruiting new Trustees to join our Board.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your experience and skills to a charity making a lasting impact on families during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
About Smile Group
Smile Group is a registered charity that provides mental health support to new and expectant parents across Cheshire East. Established in 2011 by two mums, Natalie Nuttall and Ruth Williams, who experienced perinatal mental illness first-hand, the charity was founded to fill a much-needed gap in community support.
Today, Smile Group delivers:
- Weekly peer support groups in Macclesfield, Congleton, and Crewe
- One-to-one talk therapy
- Home visits for parents unable to attend groups
- Monthly family sessions that build connection and understanding
We are proud to be listed in the Royal College of GPs’ Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit of Best Practice and are supported by local, regional, and national funding. On a national level, Smile is a member of the Hearts and Minds Partnership, funded by The National Lottery, which brings together grassroots perinatal mental health services across the UK.
Why Become a Trustee at Smile Group?
Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in the strategic direction, governance, and responsible growth of the organisation. As several of our long-standing Board members step down, we are looking to recruit two or three passionate and skilled individuals to join our team.
Being a Trustee is a meaningful way to give back to your community and contribute to a growing, values-driven charity with a clear purpose and impact.
Skills and Experience We’re Looking For
We regularly review the diversity and skillset of our Board to ensure we are representative of the communities we serve. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals who bring the following:
- HR expertise, with up-to-date knowledge of employment law and best practices
- Lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges (especially in the last 2–3 years), including those who have accessed Smile Group’s services
- Experience in growing and scaling organisations, and confidence in acting as an ambassador for Smile Group
- A genuine interest in our mission, with the ability to positively contribute to our governance and direction
General Trustee Responsibilities
- Attend quarterly Trustee meetings, the AGM, and quarterly sub-group meetings
- Understand the responsibilities of a charity Trustee (training is available)
- Act as an ambassador for Smile Group in the community and beyond
- Contribute to the continued growth and impact of a small but well-established charity
- Appreciate the challenges faced by parents with perinatal mental health issues
We Welcome Diverse Voices
At Smile Group, diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our work. We are actively working to ensure our Board reflects the people we serve and creates a sense of belonging for all. We encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to ethnicity, disability, LGBTQIA+, and lower socio-economic groups.
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our Board of Trustees, please send a cover letter (no more than two A4 pages) by 31st August 2025 to [insert email address]. Your cover letter should outline:
- Why you would like to join Smile Group’s Board
- Your relevant skills, experience, and work history (HR, finance, health and safety, voluntary sector experience, etc.)
- Any knowledge or lived experience of perinatal mental health
- Any potential conflicts of interest (e.g. roles with similar organisations or relationships to staff or Trustees)
For further information or an informal conversation about the role, contact us at connect@smilegroup.org.uk
Learn More About Smile Group
- Website: www.smilegroup.org.uk
- Facebook: facebook.com/SmilegroupPNI
- Instagram: @Smilepeersupport
Join us in making sure no parent has to face perinatal mental health challenges alone.