Welcome! I'm delighted that you're considering joining us at Action for Happiness and supporting our important work. Our mission is to promote a happier world, by creating a culture that prioritises wellbeing and kindness. We do this by helping people get together regularly to learn evidence-based skills for happier living, feel a sense of belonging and commit to personal action to create more happiness, both for themselves and others.
As a Trustee, your role will be to work with our Board to set the strategic direction for our work and oversee the effective running of the organisation. You will focus on the key issues, opportunities and risks facing the charity and provide guidance on strategic direction to our Director and team. You will also be an ambassador with key external audiences, help us build relationships with potential funders, and demonstrate leadership on our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We have made encouraging strides in our first decade, building an online following of over 1 million people, a core movement of 275,000 signed up members and an incredible network of passionate volunteers running life-changing courses and groups in their local communities. Our work has also been evaluated in an independent peer-reviewed Randomised Controlled Trial, showing that it brings significant benefits in terms of enhancing wellbeing, reducing mental health issues and encouraging pro-social behaviour. We now have ambitious plans for the coming years and hope to significantly scale-up our reach and impact.
In the words of our Patron, the Dalai Lama: "Happiness is not something ready-made; it comes from your own actions". We believe in empowering people to prioritise wellbeing and contribute to a happier and kinder world. And by joining as Trustee you have a chance to make a really meaningful difference to this vital mission. We very much look forward to your application.
Lord Richard Layard, Chair of Trustees
Professor of Economics at London School of Economics (LSE); founder of Centre for Economic Performance and Head of Well-Being program. Author of bestselling books 'Happiness: Lessons from a New Science', 'Thrive: The Power of Psychological Therapy' and 'Can We Be Happier?: Evidence and Ethics'.