I joined MCFB in 2018, first as an observer to the Board, then later, as a fully co-opted Director, or Trustee. This was my first experience on a Board. Although I have experience of working with trustees, for example, in my work with a US-Moroccan development charity, I had never been one.

I was familiar with the work of MCFB through a friend who works for the organisation. After my husband and I started our own multi-cultural Moroccan-British family, here in Edinburgh, I was keen to develop a portfolio of interests - both paid work and volunteering - which aligned with my values around diversity and equality of opportunity. I also wanted to help welcome families and young people new to Scotland in the same way I had been welcomed when I had lived abroad, in Morocco, Japan, and across continental Europe. At the time, MCFB were seeking a trustee with communications experience. My profile was a good fit, so I sent off my application. Wendy, MCFB Chair, and Steve, the then-CEO, were very helpful in setting my expectations (and giving me lots of opportunities to back out, which I have never wanted to do!)

During my time on the Board, we have celebrated MCFB’s 20th anniversary of helping families and young people to fulfil their potential. This organisational history contributes to a clarity of vision and knowledge of local communities which are key contributors to MCFB’s success.

But no organisation can stand still while the world around it changes, and MCFB has faced a number of challenges during my tenure on the Board. I would like to think that the diversity of background, experience, ethnicity and thought on the Board and in the staff team have helped the organisation to navigate these challenges. In 2019, Steve Gowenlock, a founder of MCFB and who had been Chief Executive of MCFB since 2012, decided to move on. The Board agreed to appoint Anne Spiers, the deputy CEO, to Acting CEO. Based on her performance in this role, and her incredible contribution during the COVID-19 crisis, we have now been able to confirm Anne as CEO.

MCFB has seen a shift in the demographic profile of its service users

The environment in which MCFB operates is constantly changing. The organisation has seen many shifts in the demographic profile of the families with whom it works, with a more recent focus on Syrian refugees. It has also seen funding priorities change over time, and earlier this year had to campaign under the #EqualEdinburgh banner to preserve local authority funding for its work. Social activism in response to George Floyd’s death in the US in May 2020, and the media attention received by black lives matter protests serve to underline the importance of organisations such as MCFB working with black and minority ethnic groups, but also highlight continuing inequalities and racism in our society.

I am proud to be a part of these efforts. And I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about the work of a Board and improve my own skills in this regard, especially as I have been managing a charity myself this year. My family and I are enormously privileged in that we have chosen to live in Scotland and we have not suffered the impacts of war, illegal immigration, discrimination or other trauma to be here. The least I can do is share my skills and expertise to help build on over 20 years of success at MCFB in helping families and young people from black and other minority ethnic backgrounds to live fulfilling, safe lives.

Lynn Houmdi, November 2020