There are four governors from Stockport representing you. You can find out more about them below or contact them by emailing ftmembership.penninecare@nhs.net.
I have been a public governor for Pennine Care since 2008. I have worked tirelessly to ensure mental health has remained high on the agenda for change.
I qualified as a social worker and obtained a diploma in Psychiatry in 1990 and worked in Stockport as a Senior Mental Health Practitioner until when I retired in order to provide care for my husband who was terminally ill. I returned to work for Pennine Care part time until the covid pandemic when I was required to shelter.
I was a Witness Service Volunteer for fourteen years at Manchester Crown Court. I currently sit on Associate Hospital Mangers Panels considering renewals and appeals under the Mental Health Act. I am enjoying learning to play Bridge and looking after my grandchildren.
I am well acquainted with the role of governor and my statutory duties. I've been involved in the appointment and recruitment of many of the non-executives on the board. I have supported new governors in their role and represented my fellow governors at conferences, meetings, and as a member of Healthwatch.
I have confidence to constructively challenge changes, ask for clarification of strategic plans and represent the views of members to the board. I have a good working knowledge of the impact of severe mental illness on service users and their carers, and have worked with other governors to ensure that plans do not neglect this group of people.
I recognise the importance of mental health.
I have worked as a teacher and in the latter part of my career I was a counsellor and organised the college, university and employment applications with the students.
After I retired, I became a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Manchester and started a ‘Friends of Manchester’ group to raise funds for the service.
I have also been a Samaritan, for around fifteen years I was a local councillor and I have served as mayor and deputy mayor. I hope to listen to the concerns of my constituents and to help whenever and in whatever way I can. It is not always easy to discover the worries of patients and their families, but I shall certainly try.
I think I am a good listener and I do not lack patience. Also, I can put forward the concerns of patients and families who approach me. There are also the concerns of employees to consider, and again, I shall be happy to listen, express them and to help when and I can.
I continue working to improve the lives of people with long term mental health conditions and their carers, from within Pennine Care mental health, learning disabilities and autism trust. I am a retired Further Education Tutor in the field of Special Educational Needs.
My passions in life are:
- Improving knowledge about and services for people with serious mental illnesses
- Life-long learning
In 2011 we launched the Mental Health Carers Group Stockport so that carers would not feel alone. We support carers 1:1 and by group meetings, information emails, Facebook group and 4 conferences.
I have worked with Pennine Care staff for 10 years on implementing the Triangle of Care which is a therapeutic relationship between carers, professionals, and service users. I am working with the Independent Mental Health Network on the Lived Experience Board to represent carers' needs and views to the Greater Manchester mental health boards.
The best part of working with the Council of Governors is working with professionals with a common purpose. As Chair of a mental health carers group I know how important it is that we communicate to the staff just how valuable their role is in improving the lives of vulnerable people and how we can work together.
Profile coming soon