Board Meeting - 2nd December 2025

The Healthy Minds Board of trustees met on Tuesday morning, 2nd December 2025, with seven of eight trustees present, and with the Chief Officer, one Operational Manager, and Finance and Systems Officer (notes), also in attendance.

​The board’s main discussion item focussed on safeguarding. The board is assured that we have good safeguarding practice, but requested an update, as the Healthy Minds’ Designated Safeguarding Lead, Lisa, and the board’s Safeguarding Lead, have been working on a review of our Safeguarding Policy recently. Lisa provided an update following her last annual report to board of February 2025. Trustees welcomed the update, which set out the context of maintaining best practice in all the services that we provide, making referrals to external partners where necessary, and understanding the important conversations undertaken by staff, in the deescalation of risk, and interlinking with other complexities such as alcohol misuse, unresolved trauma and ongoing abuse. Lisa and Lynnette, proposed updates to our Safeguarding Policy, to promote and reflect best and current practice. Lynnette set out the responsibilities for trustees regarding safeguarding and led a discussion regarding what we need to do to ensure that we deliver against all our obligations. We agreed to undertake a final review of the new policy, to sign off the policy at our next board meeting, when we shall also receive the annual safeguarding report, agree plans for an audit of safeguarding across all services, and agree development needs for trustees. Jonny presented his Chief Officer’s report, covering: all services; fundraising, finance and funding; delegated actions; and external relationships. The trustees were pleased to agree all recommendations made to the board. The board passes on its thanks to all Healthy Minds’ staff and volunteers, to Forum attendees and members. The board received a draft of minutes for the recent AGM, attended by over half (37) of our 60+ members. The board felt the AGM had gone extremely Page 2 of 2 2026 02 25 - 04 02 - public note of board meeting 2nd December 2025 - v0.2 well. The board particularly welcomed responding to questions raised by members and attendees during the AGM. The board also received: a report on the Chief Officer’s review and objectives; board self-assessment of individual and board understanding of, and compliance with, the requirements of the Charity Commission’s The Essential Trustee; sub-committee reports; and confirmed board roles and memberships. The board has reports by exception on any major issues in relation to Safeguarding and Health and Safety requiring board attention and action¸ as a standing item at every board meeting. No issues required board action at this meeting. The board meets next on 25th February 2026. We wish all staff, volunteers, members and all who value the services we provide, a happy festival season and a peaceful new year.

Paul Hunt Chair of Trustees, 25th February 2026