Over the nine years I have been Chairman, my experiences in Maldon (Essex) Mind and other parts of the voluntary sector and statutory sector in Essex have made it clearer than ever to me the crucial role that services such as ours provide to local people and how much they enrich the provision of social care to this nation.
Maldon Mind has the happy knack of being able to identify and meet local need and create services which can readily move across other areas. This means that we have TEN Projects across North Essex and this comes with its own challenges as well as rewards! The most difficult part of this has been the complexity of funding sources: different pots of money for different Projects; different ways of monitoring; and different people to deal with.
The last year has been a difficult one because the changes in NHS structures and financial pressures on health and local government continue to have a ‘knock on’ effect on our funding stability. However we have made a lot of progress and are in a good position to respond to the new challenges of mental health commissioning including the opportunities that practice-based commissioning may bring.
This Government has reiterated its desire to see a robust and developing voluntary sector as part of the mixed economy of health and social care provision and the charity and not-for-profit services are becoming known as the “Third Sector.” Unfortunately in reality we continue to be seen as the cheap option and Third Sector organisations are having to work hard together to defend ourselves against the split between reality and rhetoric.
The vision, the commitment and the sheer hard work of all at Maldon (Essex) Mind has made an organisation which is well respected across the county and beyond and able to develop and change, but most of all it has kept its grass roots and is valued by the people who use its services.
It has been a privilege and an honour to serve as Chairman of Maldon Mind for the past nine years and it is with a degree of sadness I must now take my leave. It has been a challenging but extremely fulfilling period and the memories of colleagues and our achievements together will remain with me always. I would like to thank all at Maldon Mind for the support and encouragement they have given me which has made my role so enjoyable. In an organisation so blessed with good people it would be wrong to mention individuals but I would like to express my particular thanks to Board colleagues and the senior management team led by Linda Allen.
Thank you Maldon Mind for enriching my life. I wish you continued success over the coming years and I am confident that you will go from strength to strength and remain a valued service in the future.
