Membership

If you have an interest in mental health and learning disability services and would like to have your say to help improve and shape services, becoming a member of the Trust could be ideal for you. Membership is free and is open to everyone aged 13 or above.

What is membership?

As a foundation trust we are able to recruit members. Service users, carers, staff, and members of the public form our membership and help shape the future of our services. The views of members in each constituency are represented by the Council of Governors. The Council works closely with our Board of Directors to develop our forward plans and ensure the views of members are taken account of.

As a member, you are eligible to stand for election as a governor or vote for others to represent you on our Council of Governors. You are able to attend any of the Council of Governors’ meetings held in public and observe the discussions about the work going on in the Trust. This can be a way to meet with the governors who represent you and your views.

Every year, our Trust holds an Annual Members’ Meeting, which members are invited to attend to hear what the Council of Governors have been doing on your behalf and give feedback on our services.

To read our frequently asked questions on membership, please click here.

Why be a member?

Becoming a member of our Foundation Trust means that you will be able to:

  • Have your say to help improve and shape services
  • Get a better understanding of how the Trust works and share in our successes
  • Become actively involved in the work of the Trust and help shape our future plans
  • Be informed of major plans
  • Make sure your views and those of your community are heard
  • Be invited to our Annual Members’ Meeting
  • Receive regular information about the Trust
  • Vote for Governors to represent your views on our Council of Governors
  • Stand for election as a Governors

Who can be a member?

Anyone over the age of 13 can become a member of our Trust. All members will fall under one of the following constituencies:

  • Staff – All members of staff are automatically members of our staff constituency, unless they opt out
  • Service user or carer – Someone who uses our services (in the last 10 years), or is a family member or friend of a service user
  • Public – Any member of the public

How do I become a member?

You can sign up through our online form. It is completely free to join.

If you would prefer to complete a hardcopy membership form, please call 07977 327628 or email ftmembership.lypft@nhs.net.

Existing members

Please provide us with your email address, if you haven’t already, so that we can keep in touch with you digitally and reduce how much we print by emailing ftmembership.lypft@nhs.net