Stockport governors

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 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.

I am now a carers champion working in a specialist charity, supporting carers of people with psychotic illnesses.

I am a former family law solicitor (30 years) who had a breakdown in 2018. I was sectioned and had a two month stay in the Oasis Building. As a result of that experience, I chose to change careers to become a mental health professional. I am passionate about supporting carers and people like myself.

I am a charity Trustee and actively involved in Manchester-based debates and organisations around improving mental health services and provision.

I hope to use my experiences to hold the Trust to task and to insist on the very best practice throughout the Trust to support the vulnerable, and to champion carers.

I bring an articulate, confident and constructive voice from the inside as an Expert by Experience.

I have an understanding of the experience of being hospitalised, and I have been well looked after by the Early Intervention Service and taken advantage of all the therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy offered. I give back by volunteering to teach everyday mindfulness to service users.

I also bring a passionate belief that services can improve and a fascination with innovation and cutting-edge thinking.