Foundation Trusts are based on membership with local people having a say through representation on a Council of Governors.
Why become a governor?
- Have your say about local mental health and learning disability services
- Influence who is on the Trust’s Board of Directors
- Meet some great people and truly make a difference
- Act as an ambassador for our Trust
Who can become a governor?
Anyone who is a member of the Trust and aged 16 years or over can stand for election as a Governor. Our Governors must also live in the designated constituency area.
Do I need any qualifications or experience to become a governor?
You do not need to have any formal qualifications or previous experience to be Governor, all you need is to have a passion for improving mental health and learning disability services within the NHS. We will provide all of the help, training and support that you need to carry out the role of a Governor.
How can I become a governor?
To become a governor, you must first be a member of the Trust, and then you must follow the election process. Please see further down this page for information on governor elections.
Will I be paid to be a governor?
Our governors are not paid, but we are happy to repay any expenses. Please see our Governor Expenses Procedure in the ‘downloads’ box on this page.
How much time is required to fulfill my role as a governor?
Governors are required to:
- make themselves available to undertake any training that the Trust decides is necessary
- be available to attend all four of our formal Council of Governors meetings (half a day each)
- be available to attend our Annual Members Meeting in July (half a day)
- attend our full day board to board workshop in September
- spend time preparing for any meetings that they attend
- be available to observe at our board sub-committee meetings to observe the work of the committee (optional)
- spend time engaging with members
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Governor elections
Summer 2022 governor elections
Our summer 2022 governor elections began on 5 May 2022. Please read the Notice of Election.
There are eight governor seats available. Read our Election Special to find out more details on eligibility to become a governor, in which constituencies the seats are available and how you can become a governor.
Want to put yourself forward for election? Here’s how:
Public, service user and carer members will receive a Notice of Election in the post around 5 May 2022. This will invite them to request and complete a nomination form if they want to stand for election. Staff will be advised of the election electronically.
The elections will run on our behalf by the Civica Election Services, an election company.
- If you want to put yourself forward for election, you will need to request a nomination form from the election company, fill it in and then return it to them by 6 June 2022.
- You will need to provide a 250 word statement on your background and why you want to become a governor, including a recent photograph. This is all explained on the form.
- If there are fewer candidates than vacant seats in a constituency, they will automatically become a governor and there will be no need for a vote in that constituency.
- If there are more candidates than seats in a constituency, every member of that constituency will be sent a voting form so they can vote for which candidate they want to represent them on the Council of Governors.
- Even if you don’t stand for election yourself, you can still have your say and vote for a candidate. Voting forms will be sent to members on 28 June 2022 and members have until 21 July 2022 to return their vote.
- Once voting has ended, we will contact all the successful and unsuccessful candidates on 22 July 2022. The successful candidates will then be invited to an induction event to help prepare for the role. The induction event will be on the afternoon of 5 September 2022.
You can request a nomination form:
For further information about the role of a governor or details of our upcoming elections, please email governor.lypft@nhs.net or call 0113 855 5959.