Potential future work
The initial exploration from this working group about supporting workforce mental health exposed some deeper issues about the fragility of the sector and the position of the CEO, and governance structures within charities. The working group will be taking forward ideas for future work, some of which are below.
- Exploring governance systems change through a sector wide discussion about how governance structures can exacerbate or better support mental health and wellbeing
- Forming a sector wide mental health charter, with ‘mirror’ responsibilities for chairs and CEOs
- More facilitated peer learning, similar to the member meetings ACEVO has facilitated during coronavirus, as a safe space in which to share
- A self-assessment tool for organisations with questions for boards, CEOs and workforce to gain a 360 well-being assessment
- Communications about the shared experiences and concerns for CEOs, to emphasise that they are not alone
- Continue focus on advancing anti-racism across the charity sector, emphasising the importance of well-being support for staff who have experienced racism
- Influencing the next review of the Charity Governance Code, to encourage strategic awareness and responsibility for workforce well-being
We hope that this short report will help the sector to start conversations about mental health in a more honest and open way. Further communication and discussion will raise the profile of the issue, enabling CEOs to think and speak differently about the wellbeing of their teams, and their own mental health. If you have any further suggestions about where this work could go next, please do get in touch.
Written by: Maisie Hulbert, policy officer, ACEVO
Published: November, 2020
