My Cancer My Choices (MCMC) is a charity which gives people living with cancer the chance to have complementary therapies of their choice in a calm and caring environment. It was founded in 2015 by the current CEO, Mandy Barter, and Liz Lee. Still a young charity, providing services entirely by volunteers, MCMC has established itself as a valued addition to the cancer services available to patients in Berkshire.

The charity is made up of around 25 volunteer therapists and in 2020 the charity delivered 870 treatments to patients: 63% receiving acupuncture and 37% receiving reflexology and massage. In addition, the charity ran 10 courses in mindfulness training and yoga. In 2022, MCMC wishes to increase the amount of treatments delivered to 150 per month.

My Cancer My Choices has adapted and innovated through the experience of the pandemic. An online complementary therapy service has been established and has been made available to cancer patients anywhere in the UK. As in-person treatments become possible again, the charity is on a growth path requiring sites, new volunteers, and an ambitious fundraising programme. The demand for My Cancer My Choices services is increasing and the charity has continued to build its reputation through the quality of its services and the relationship development with professionals in the NHS cancer services.

The future of the charity looks bright – it is beyond the “start up” phase and is ready to scale its services to more cancer patients in Berkshire and potentially develop its online offer across the UK.

Please click here to read about the experiences of patients who received these complementary therapies provided by the charity.

MCMC is at an exciting point in its journey, with more cancer patients opening up to the idea of complementary therapies. As the current Chair steps down after serving the charity since 2014, MCMC seeks a new Chair. As a partner to the CEO and other Board members, the new Chair will provide governance, leadership and strategic support.

Key responsibilities of the Chair will include:

• Efficiency and effectiveness of the Board: ensuring that meetings are well-planned and chaired, reflecting topics to which Trustees have responsibilities as well as fostering maintaining and ensuring that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
• Relationship with the CEO and wider management team: establishing strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the CEO, including regular contact to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs. The new Chair will also guide the charity in hiring a new CEO in 2023
• Effective Governance of the Charity: leading an annual review of Board effectiveness and implementing development plans to improve its effectiveness. Ensuring that the Board is refreshed through recruitment, reflecting the balance of skills knowledge and experience needed to fulfil their role and reflect the population they aim to serve
• Outward-facing role and fostering external relationships in the interests of the charity: acting as an ambassador for the cause and the charity, acting as spokesperson for the charity when required. This could include representing the charity at functions, meetings and events. Maintaining close relationships with key influencers in the NHS, local government and businesses, public health and community leadership where this aids the charity’s mission 
• Strategic leadership for the delivery of mission, vision and strategy: ensuring that the charity operates within its charitable objectives, maximises its impact for its beneficiaries and is in sound financial health with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

The new Chair will bring leadership experience from the corporate, public or non-profit sector and will be able to demonstrate their strategic leadership experience as well as an understanding of governance and Board development. They will provide guidance, as well as challenge the CEO in order to contribute to shaping its new strategy for the years to come. The current CEO will be stepping down from her position next year, but will remain affiliated with the charity as a Trustee. The new Chair will play a pivotal role in the appointment of the new CEO. 

The successful candidate will especially have empathy for cancer patients. They should be able to demonstrate either a direct / indirect experience with cancer and should have an alignment with and commitment to supporting social change and / or social innovation

The charity would particularly welcome applications from individuals who are well-connected with networks which would support the charity raise its profile in the health care sector, spread more awareness and become financially sustainable. The new Chair will bring broad knowledge and an understanding of the civil society (third / voluntary) sector and the types of issues affecting this sector (for example, fundraising, challenges accessing healthcare services, recruiting and retaining staff, the impact of the pandemic on people and their attitude to self-care).

It is also desirable that the new Chair bring experience of what it takes to grow an organisation with more formal structures in place by providing the CEO with the right tools, support and contacts to assist in the charity's fundraising activities. Above all, candidates will share the charity's vision to make a positive difference in people's lives. 

Since this role requires regular in-person involvement and the ability to maintain relationships with the local government, NHS and local hospitals; it would be highly desirable for the new Chair to live in Berkshire and surrounding areas.

The Board of Trustees is made up of 10 Trustees with a range of experience in healthcare and business. The CEO operates as a volunteer and sits on the Board. Many of the Trustees and volunteers have a very personal experience of cancer and cancer treatment.

The Chair will serve for a three-year term, renewable for two further terms of three years, subject to satisfactory performance as judged by the Trustees, up to a maximum of three terms. In addition to attending Board meetings the Chair has the right to attend any  Subcommittees. It will be important for the new Chair to attend in-person meetings and other events, whenever possible. This role is unremunerated and reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed, upon the discretion of the charity. 

The deadline for consideration is 11th July.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Mandy Barter (CEO) via [email protected]