Three New Governors Work 2gether for Local Services

05/02/2009

Head Teacher Gill Pyatt is looking forward to playing a leading role in the future development of local NHS mental health and learning disabilities services.

Gill is one of three new Governors of the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, substance misuse and learning disabilities services for people of all ages in Gloucestershire and beyond.

Gill won an election to become one of two new Public Governors for the Trust’s Cheltenham constituency – the other being service user Jo Smith. New Staff Governor Jan Furniaux joins them on 2gether’s Council of Governors.

The three new Governors will:

• Represent the views and interests of the Trust’s Members and local communities
• Feed information back to the public and staff
• Work with the Trust’s Board of Directors on 2gether’s plans for the future
• Help to ensure the Trust is accountable to the local communities it serves

Having run a school for many years, Gill brings considerable leadership and strategic planning experience to her new role.

“I hope to offer the Council of Governors my management experience as well as a range of skills related to working with young people and their families,” she said.

“During my early career I worked in an adolescent psychiatric unit with young people who presented with a range of conditions, challenging behaviours and some with learning disabilities. I have also worked in a voluntary capacity for Shelter and another local charity for the homeless and vulnerable.”

Jo, who has lived with depression for more than 20 years, will use her knowledge and experience to help represent the views and interests of 2gether’s service users.

“Mental and social healthcare has come a long way in recent years but improvements still need to be made,” said Jo. “I feel very strongly about becoming a Public Governor of the Trust and cannot think of anything I would rather be involved in.

“The number of people needing help and support is on the increase and the voice of the service user needs to be heard. I will do everything in my power to make sure services and support continually improve and are appropriate.”

Jan, Community Services Manager for 2gether’s Older People’s Services, will represent management, administration and clerical staff on the Trust’s Council of Governors.

She said: “I believe that engagement with staff is essential in meeting the aim of the Trust to deliver high quality mental health services.”

Anyone aged 16 or over and living in Gloucestershire can become a Public Member of 2gether NHS Foundation Trust. Membership is free and you decide how much you want to be involved – this can include only receiving our article-packed membership newsletter every quarter or standing for election as a Governor yourself when a vacancy arises.

2gether Chair Baroness Rennie Fritchie said: “Members play a key role in making sure we work closely with communities to develop services that best suit the needs of local people.

“We need Governors who are interested in our services and want to show support for those who often face discrimination within our communities and I’m delighted to welcome these three new Governors.”



Working 2gether: New Governors, from left, Jo Smith, Gill Pyatt and Jan Furniaux

For more information on membership of 2gether, please click here or telephone 01452 891165