Contact our governors
Expand the accordions below to learn more about our governors.
Our Lead and Deputy Lead Governors
Lead Governor: Rebecca Mezzo
Constituency: Service User Governor
Rebecca has been a Service User Governor since August 2020 and has a special interest in people with a dementia diagnosis, young people, and those with thoughts of suicide.
Deputy Lead Governor: Alice Barton
Constituency: Service User Governor
Deputy Lead Governor
Bio: Alice is an autistic individual, parent, and passionate advocate for improving services for people with autism and mental health conditions.
She is particularly focused on addressing gaps in services for autistic individuals and those with mental health conditions, striving to ensure that services are accessible, effective, and respectful of diverse needs.
Read more about Rebecca, Alice, and all of our governors by expanding the accordions below.
Public Governors
We have eight governor seats which represent residents in the various areas of the county and surrounding areas.
Vacant
Constituency: Public Governor - Borough of Boston
Vacant
Constituency: Public Governor - City of Lincoln
Emma Slack
Constituency: Public Governor - East Lindsey
Election statement: I feel I will be a valued Ambassador/Governor for the Trust of East Lindsey. I am a carer of a child with severe learning difficulties. Since 2012 I have run a parent support group called Sharing Minds. We have for many years run family swimming sessions backed by charitable funding raised for us. Though the sessions are closed at present due to COVID-19. From 2012-2015 I was a parent governor at my older sons school King Edward V1 in Spilsby and he is now aged 20. My husband and I are self employed and together we run our bed and breakfast business in our adjoining annex. Being self employed gives me flexibility to attend meetings and fully commit to the role. I have knowledge and experience that I feel would be helpful in this role, from all aspects noted previously in my statement.
Carole Hagan
Constituency: Public Governor - North Kesteven
Election statement: As a parent of a young adult with autism, epilepsy and learning disabilities, I have accessed LPFT services through GP surgeries, specialist clinics or Accident and Emergency. I have been a trustee of the charity that represents my daughter's medical condition and also a member of the charity's research committee. I worked as an Inclusion Consultant for North Yorkshire LA supporting primary and secondary schools. I had a responsibility for introducing schools to the Autism Inclusion Development Programme. Recently I worked alongside Care Quality Commission Inspectors as an Expert by Experience, visiting care homes for adults with autism and/or learning disabilities. My role was to ensure that the service users' voices were represented and valued in inspection reports. As a Governor I will endeavor to represent the views of constituents in North Kesteven.
Jonathan Sibley
Constituency: South Holland
Contact governor
Debbie Abrams OBE
Constituency: Public Governor - South Kesteven
Election statement: Having recently retired from working at a small hospice means I have time to volunteer as your governor representative. With over 1000 members we are a community that deserve a voice in shaping mental health and learning disability services. I will strive to be accessible and listen to help represent our constituency. I am passionate about our local NHS and believe that services are better when people are engaged in developing them. Our combined learned experiences of mental health and learning disability services are fundamental in helping the Trust deliver a quality service. This last year has been difficult to ensure continued access to local services. Being a fairly confident person I constructively challenge and speak up when required for all. I worry especially for young people who have missed being with their friends, and have had to adapt their learning experiences. The increase in young peoples mental health problems, including eating disorders is of concern but just as much a concern is the depression faced by older people from months of isolation and loneliness. It is particularly important that people’s rights should be respected, especially those who are vulnerable who may need more support and who may need that support locally. I will campaign to help us keep local services.
Alexander James Eccersley
Constituency: Public Governor- Rest of England
Vacant
Constituency: Public Governor - West Lindsey
We have current Public Governor vacancies for Borough of Boston, City of Lincoln and West Lindsey.
Service User and Carer Governors
We have seven service user governor seats which represent the views of people who have used or are using our services.
As well as four carer governor seats which represent the views of people who care for someone with a mental health problem.
Rebecca Mezzo
Constituency: Service User Governor
Lead Governor
Election statement - I’ve been a Service User Governor since August 2020 when I replaced a previously-elected governor because they had moved out of the county. I have a special interest in people with a dementia diagnosis, young people, and those with thoughts of suicide. I have lived with my husband in the county for 24 years, but I come from a RAF family and was brought up in Singapore and Cyprus.
I am now semi-retired, and my work was with optician services, in the hotel industry, cinema management, the community/charity sector (Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Services, Alzheimer’s Society, British Red Cross and Girl Guiding), all of which has brought about my skill set that I share with LPFT.
Alice Barton
Constituency: Service User Governor
Deputy Lead Governor
I am an autistic individual, parent, and passionate advocate for improving services for people with autism and mental health conditions. With a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Research, I bring both academic expertise and lived experience to my work.
As a parent to three children, two of whom are autistic, I understand first-hand the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals and families navigating neurodiversity. This personal insight fuels my commitment to advocating for more inclusive, person-centred support systems within healthcare, social care, and education.
I am particularly focused on addressing gaps in services for autistic individuals and those with mental health conditions, striving to ensure that services are accessible, effective, and respectful of diverse needs. My research background equips me with the skills to evaluate and improve service delivery, while my advocacy work aims to amplify the voices of those often marginalized in society.
In addition to my professional pursuits, I am dedicated to fostering greater understanding and acceptance of autism through public speaking, training, and collaborative projects. My ultimate goal is to contribute to a future where all individuals—regardless of neurodiversity—can thrive and access the support they deserve.
Contact governor
Caroline Steeper
Constituency: Service User Governor
Adie Trevelyan
Constituency: Service User Governor
Andrew Page
Constituency: Service User Governor
Daniel Cowling
Constituency: Service User Governor
Adam Page
Tracey Roberts
Constituency: General Carer Governor
Vacant
Constituency: General Carer Governor
Vacant
Constituency: General Carer Governor.
Vacant
Constituency: Young People Carer Governor
We have the following vacancies:
General Carer Governor x2
Young People Carer Governor x1
Staff Governors
We have nine staff governor seats which represent the views of our staff.
Helen Smith
Constituency: Staff Governor - Adult Inpatient Services
Election statement - Having worked in the private sector for 13 years with adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, I then made the career change to join NHS LPFT as a Nursing Assistant at the Francis Willis unit - the reason to join this service was to further gain knowledge with the opportunities to develop as a person within an organisation who encourages, supports and rewards individuals.
I already had an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care when I joined LPFT.
Five years ago I was given the opportunity to change direction as Team Administrator where I gained my NVQ level 3 in Business Adminsitration and also IOSH (Building Administrator).
May 2020 I was presented with an Nursing and Care Superhero Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to care and practice. Staff Recognition Awards 2018 and 2019.
LPFT as an organisation are Patient Centred with growth and development in its many services being paramount. As an organisation we may make mistakes, but we learn from them. 2020 has been such a unique year within Covid 19 and so much uncertainty, the commitment of our staff and the willingness to adapt to its needs have been amazing.
I would like to be your governor as I am proud of the organisation I work within, and feel my qualities as a people person with an inquisitive mind and drive will work well within the elected team.
Dan Fleshbourne
Constituency: Staff Governor - Adult Inpatient Services
My name is Dan, and I work as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in the Adult Inpatient division. I am a proud dad, husband, and unpaid carer. Additionally, I am a big fan of motorsports, particularly Formula 1, and I consider myself a gadget and technology enthusiast.
I have over three years of experience representing unpaid carers and staff on the Council of Governors. This role has been defined by my strong commitment to collaboration. During my tenure, I actively sought to amplify the voice and representation of my constituents within the council, helping to develop new policies, innovative working methods, and strategies for future planning.
As governor, I am dedicated to contributing to a collective effort to create an outstanding environment that fosters excellence and innovation for patients, families, carers, and trust employees, ultimately leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.
I am committed to being a reliable channel for you to share your feedback and innovative ideas through the i'Log. I firmly believe that fostering open and inclusive dialogue is essential for continuously enhancing our services. Your feedback is not only welcomed but is vital for our growth and development.
Vacant
Constituency: Staff Governor - Adult Community services
Jade Ainsworth
Constituency: Staff Governor - Adult Community services
Adrian Maddock
Constituency: Staff Governor - Corporate services
Laura Suffield
Constituency: Staff Governor - Corporate services
Election statement: When people think of the NHS they think of all the visible frontline staff who are vital in caring for people. I want to represent those of us who are in the corporate division, as our roles are integral to supporting all staff within our Trust and the people for whom they care.
I joined LPFT in October 2017 as part of the Engagement Team, a fantastic role in which I have worked with staff from all our divisions; having contact with services, carers and patients across the County. I am currently working in a seconded position as a Carers Lead, supporting carers of
patients across LPFT.
Both roles facilitate contact across the Trust and beyond, working with a range of services and people. I enjoy working as part of a team of people, all of whom strive to provide the best possible care and support for everyone accessing our services. I feel passionately about the life chances and care of people with mental ill health and/or learning disabilities and am also a carer for a family member.
I have previous experience as a Governor within an education setting, having been a school governor for 15 years in four different schools. This involved working with a range of stakeholders and agencies to benefit children and families in the schools within which I worked and led. I would like to represent you in a positive, constructive way to contribute to and influence the future direction of the Trust and its services.
Nicola Sorsby
Constituency: Staff Governor - Specialist Services
Lisa Norris
Constituency: Staff Governor - Specialist services
Election statement: Hello my name is Lisa Norris and I am currently employed by LPFT as an Assistant Practitioner for Learning disability services. I have been in this post for nearly 10 years and through these years I have seen many changes to the services that we provide for people with a learning disability. Previous to this I worked in a residential home for people with learning disabilities for 17 years. Due to some of these changes that learning disability services have gone through I decided to apply to be a staff governor 3 years ago and was successful in this post.
I am now applying again, to hopefully continue in the role of staff governor, as I feel it can take a couple of years to get into the role and to feel confident and start to make a real difference.
I feel very passionate about raising awareness for people with a learning disability and/or autism and if they are struggling with any mental health difficulties, by trying to ensure they get the appropriate support they deserve from mainstream services. The biggest change I have been a part of is the Transforming Care Agenda around supporting people in the community. Even though I have seen some big improvements for people with a learning disability and/or autism there is still a long way to go, as some can still face discrimination on a daily basis, and there is still much more I would like to achieve.
Cathy Burton
Constituency: Staff Governor - Older Adult services
Vacant
Constituency: Staff Governor - Older Adult and Frailty Services
We have the following vacancies:
Adult Community Services x1
Older Adult and Frailty Services x1
Stakeholder Governors
We have seven stakeholder governor seats who are representatives from our key partner organisations in the area that we serve.
Richard Eccles
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
Chris Davison
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Lincolnshire Police
I am a stakeholder governor, as I am the Assistant Chief Constable for Lincolnshire Police. I have been a governor for around a year. I have been the Police’s mental health lead for around ten years, and have a long standing interest in this area.
I am particularly interested in the treatment of people in Mental Health Crisis, as they can sadly too often come into contact with the Police. I agreed to become a governor for LPFT because I have an enormous amount of respect and affection for the organisation, its people and all that they do to care for others.
I want to be part of the team that helps it continue its high standards and improve.
Cllr Ingrid Sheard
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Lincolnshire County Council
Cllr Brenda Collier
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Lincolnshire County Council
Rachel Wright
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Shine Lincolnshire
Ian Trueman
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - University of Lincoln
Colin Warren
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Healthwatch Lincolnshire
Use the form below to contact one of the governors listed above.
