We have eight governor seats which represent residents in the various areas of the county and surrounding areas.
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.
Thomas Ellis
Constituency: Public Governor - City of Lincoln
Election statement: I beleive I have the compassion to continue as the City of Lincoln governor. MY work with Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire compliments being a governor and brings me into contact with those that are using the LPFT services. Gaining original information from those using the service helps me to ask questions and to give feedback to the rest of the governing body which can be vital in making sure the services are fit for purpose, as well as giving value for money.
I feel this is so important especially now living in the times of a pandemic where the issues around peoples mental health and wellbeing are paramount given the self-isolation and restrictive conditions we have been living under these last 12 to 18 months.
I will continue to try and offer my best attention to serving this valuable community in Lincoln to the best of my ability.
Vacant
Constituency: Public Governor - Rest of England
Debbie Abrams
Constituency: Public Governor - South Kesteven
Lead Governor
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.
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.
Marlene Fullwood
Constituency: Public Governor - Borough of Boston
Election statement: I am the Mum and Carer for my 18 year old son who has learning difficulties, Autism and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, we face daily struggles with him having both a mental and physical disability. I would like to make a difference and help people who are in a similar situation to us as not everyone has the confidence to speak out when they are having difficulties. I have been a School Governor in the past which has been both challenging and rewarding and has given me some insight how Governing Bodies work.
David Docherty
Constituency: Public Governor - West Lindsey
Election statement: Having for the last year served as the elected West Lindsey LPFT governor I believe I have represented the public position whenever asked. My history is one of passionate dedication gained during my 40+ years of service to healthcare, both at home in the NHS and alongside the British Armed Forces, who I worked alongside in a supporting role during the 1990s as part of the international stabilisation forces shortly after the Balkan conflict. After retiring as an active NHS employee, I recently returned on an Interim basis to assist the East Midlands Ambulance Service and have remained in post assisting frontline staff, whenever I can, during these distressing times. As the face of the NHS changes, I am acutely aware of the strategic challenges it is currently facing, and am passionate about helping deliver the strategic patient centric Integrated Care system recently brought into legislation. As a supporter of a less fragmented approach, adjoining local Trusts and Local Authority care facilities, means mental health should begin to enjoy the same footing as, acute, community and social care, which in turn helps eliminate the most common complaint about the NHS, which is, the frustrations patients experience accessing a multilayered system which is not designed to smoothly provide answers to complex needs which cross over all aspects of healthcare. I relish the opportunity on behalf of West Lindsey to continue to influence that whenever I can.
Brenda Wickham
Constituency: Public Governor - South Holland
Election statement: I have long had an interest in participation and empowerment of communities to have a voice in the setup and running of their services. My involvement in local services has included volunteering with CAB, Victim support, Samaritans, chair for social care LINK, sat as a magistrate on local bench and manager of community services centre. This experience has given me a wide local network, access and understanding of the local community. As a governor I will listen and respond to the worries and concerns of all local people and be their voice on the Council of Governors going forward. My communication and interpersonal skills as well as my interest and knowledge in areas of social care, community health and mental health services, policies and procedures would enable me to represent and be the voice, of all my local community, to the best of my ability.
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.
Vacancy - Awaiting election
Constituency: Carer Governor
Thomas Dunning
Constituency: Service User Governor
Election statement: “With 1 in 4 people suffering with a mental illness – There is always three others who can help save a life.”
As a sufferer of PTSD, Social Anxiety Disorder and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder; I have been in receipt of the LPFT’s services for a number of years. My story began in 2014, with the earlier death of my brother as a catalyst. My mental health diminished to the point where I was entering stages of psychosis almost on a daily basis which would normally culminate in attempting to take my own life. At my worst, I was attending A&E twice a night.
Five years have passed and I have finally found my voice which I thought would never happen. I pride myself on sharing my continuing mental health recovery to help those suffering in silence to seek help before it gets too late.
If elected as a Service user governor, I will do everything in my ability, within our team of governors, to help ensure that the people who need the help the most are being heard, not just on a service user level – but at the highest level possible wherever this role will allow within the Governor and membership strategy. I will use my experiences to help improve mental health services, and am passionate about representing the service user community and ensuring others have a voice too.
I will not let this unique opportunity to help influence the direction of LPFT’s services go to waste.
Jennifer Saxby
Constituency: Young People Carer Governor
Vacancy - Awaiting election
Constituency: General Carer Governor
Vacancy - Awaiting election
Constituency: Service User Governor
Eve Ellerby
Constituency: Service User Governor
Election statement: As a service user with a mental health history, I found that the people helped me in my recovery with activities. I would like to give back by offering my time to anyone who may be in need of help. Kindness and giving a listening ear is good to brighten anyone’s day.
Zachary Kellerman
Constituency: Service User Governor
Contact governor
Election statement: I’ve been a service user, navigating the world of mental health for over 15 years now. I’m also a Therapist and Mental Health Expert by Experience, working with clients and service users towards better health outcomes for quite a few years also. I engage in teaching and public speaking to raise awareness with mental health issues. But this isn’t about me – but what I can do.
I feel I have insight from ‘both sides of the coin’ given my position, and have worked in the NHS, University and now work in the Charitable Third Sector in mental health services, often working alongside peers who have been through the system for a long time themselves.
What I have found, time and time again, is that people often don’t know where to turn or how to access what support and when. As a service user and professional, this is the biggest problem I see in the system in Lincolnshire (aside from other obvious issues such as funding). People and professionals aren’t talking and working to and with each other enough to be able to give service users and carers the best options open to them in a person-centred approach.
I want to engage with my peers, fellow warriors and supporters in finding a way in which we can make the system work for all of us better in a collaborative way - I will be fighting for the underdog to help everybody in laying out the playing field.
Rebecca Mezzo
Constituency: Service User Governor
Deputy Lead Governor
Contact governor
Election statement: I have been involved with Sleaford Dementia Support and Dementia Friends for a number of years. Dementia is what I am passionate about with regards the carers.
Michael Regan
Constituency: Service User Governor
Election statement: Currently serving with pride as a Service User Governor I wish to be re-elected so I can continue to help my constituents by taking part in LPFT Governor meetings and training sessions, thus ensuring I am well prepared to undertake my responsibilities to the best of my ability. As a caring person I take my role very seriously and do so with energy, commitment, compassion and care. Close liaison with fellow Governors and LPFT healthcare managers and professionals gives an opportunity to influence change and improvements to improve the care and treatment of Service Users. Teamwork is essential and the present Governors are well versed, caring and progressive. I feel privileged to be a part of this team.
Susan Swinburn
Constituency: General Carer Governor
Election statement: As a child, I supported my mother to care for my seriously ill father for the last 11 years of his life and as the eldest of three children this was not an easy journey but was one that lay the foundations stones for my future career in the care sector.In my 20s I trained as a volunteer with the Trust to become a substance misuse counsellor. I am a qualified Counsellor and completed my work placement at the Beaconfield Mental Health unit.Throughout my working life I have held senior management roles in both the Voluntary and private sector.I was the Vice Chair of The Lincolnshire Carers Partnership, helping the organization to transition to its new identity ‘Everyone’.Currently the CEO of South Lincolnshire Blind Society and helped them to establish a Counselling service for people living with sight loss and their carers.Good mental health is important to everyone and having accessible services is key along with timely interventions. Having served the Trust since 2016 I believe I have the skills and passion required to continue to support the Trust board to develop and deliver the best services it can to the people of Lincolnshire.
Rachel Higgins
Constituency: Service User Governor
Election statement: I would like to put my name forward to play an active role as a member of the Trust and to be considered as a governor representative on the Council of Governors.
I would like to become a governor representative on the Council of Governors as I feel that I would provide lived experience of disability both physically and mentally, experience of using a variety of services within the NHS and the experience of receiving care in all of the regions three Trusts.
As I have worked in the NHS for nearly 30 years and presently work as a manager in the Community Trust leading on equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement with local communities and supporting staff. I feel that I have a wide experience with working with NHS organisations and this has enabled me to develop my listening, decision making and influencing skills.
With these skills and my experiences, as a patient, a carer, as a leader and my work experiences I feel that I would be able to ensure that the views of patients, their carers and local communities are heard and that LPFT services continually improve.
We have nine staff governor seats which represent the views of our staff this is changing to nine in the 2017 staff elections.
Christine Coupar
Constituency: Staff Governor - Adult Services
Election statement: I have 25 years' experience of working within the voluntary and public sector. I joined LPFT in 2003 as a Social Worker and I am currently working in the Adult Community division as a Service Manager.
I am passionate about mental health and tackling discrimination/stigma associated with mental illness and disabilities. It is also really important to me that I ensure that the voice of Carers and Service Users are heard alongside working with CMHTs to provide a positive experience for those using out services.
I feel that I understand the challenges that face frontline staff and would like to be able to continue making staff voices heard and to improve service delivery.
Jacky Tyson
Constituency: Staff Governor - Older adult services
Election statement: I joined LPFT in 2011, working within the Older Adult Division and have been fortunate in working alongside a wide range of disciplines and gained an understanding of the varied roles that contribute to the services offered by LPFT. Locally in lincolnshire and nationaloly at Government level, older adults are often considered the poor relation in terms of health care provision. Being the Older Adult Staff Governor, addords me opportunities to ensure our patients, staff and carers have a voice at LPFT Board lebel, through the Board ensure our needs are considered at a national level and cascade any changes being considered that may impact on our staff and services we offer.
I am currently seconded to the Quality and Safety team which, especially in the current climate, will give me a wider perspective of how decisions at Board and a national level will affect the Older Adult service. Working in Older Adults can be challenging and in current circumstances it is especially important that I ensure the concerns of staff working in Older Adults are heard and acted upon. I have particluar interest in safety and quality improvement (I am currently completing an MSc in this field) and I hope that through me as Governor, staff can not only raise matters of concern, but discuss policies, practices and procedure they believe LPFT can improve to benefit the service.
I am proud to be able to champion the incredible work and care that staff in Older Adult services provide.
VACANT
Constituency: Staff Governor - Older adult services
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.
Dr Mithilesh Jha
Constituency: Staff Governor - Adult Community Services
I have been working for the NHS since 1995 and I am currently working as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Boston. LPFT has been rated by the CQC as being a good Trust but it needs minor improvements here and there. I think, given my experience of working within the Trust, and my core beliefs of fairness, equality in all domains of life, I am uniquely qualified through being a Trust Governor to help LPFT transit from being a good outstanding Trust. I strongly oppose stigma associated with mental illness and support various national charities, including MIND & HEADS TOGETHER & would like, through being a Governor help dispel the myth of stigma of mental illness.
I am a member of MH Review Tribunal & also do some work for CMC which has also given me opportunities to understand the aspirations & challenges felt by sufferers of patients due to service constraints. I am also the Lead for UK Adult ADHD network (UKAAN) in the East Midlands.
I have been a Governor only for the last few months and am seeking your support for a full term as Governor. I have now first hand experience of how Governors work, especially during these difficult, unprecedented Corona times, safeguard the interest of care seeker through various channels and believe that am more equipped to discharge my duties as a staff Governor.
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.
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.
Vacant
Constituency: Staff Constituency - Adult Inpatient Services
Dr Suneetha Siddabattuni
Constituency: Staff Constituency - Specialist Services
Election statement: I am child psychiatrist and passionate about mental health. In order to be able to provide the best mental health service to our community weneed staff to deliver the service. I strongly believe that the biggest asset to our trust is staff. There is enough evidence out there to supportthat where staff feel happy and confident where they are valued, respected, provided with the resources needed, identify their talents andprovide training to climb their career goals. Thus confident staff are able to transfer their skills to patients we serve. In simple terms, healthystaff (including the environment) contributes to outstanding services to our patients, carers and families. Our trust is doing well in this aspectas many of us would like to continue working here. I would like Trust to go further step where it becomes attractive and recruitment becomes easier.
As a Governor, I would like to ensure Trust are keeping staff wellbeing and growth at the forefront in their strategies. I am friendly andapproachable.
Being a parent governor and local councillor has given me skills to work with board and be a critical friend to promote change in a healthy way.
We have seven stakeholder governor seats who are representatives from our key partner organisations in the area that we serve.
Awaiting nomination
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - LPFT Volunteers
Mark Gresswell
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - University of Lincoln
Cllr Colin Matthews
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Lincolnshire County Council
Awaiting nomination
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Lincolnshire County Council
Andy Rix
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Clinical Commissioning Groups in Lincolnshire
Sue Clements
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - Healthwatch
Rachel Wright
Constituency: Stakeholder Governor - SHINE Network
