Mental health care in South Holland has some new champions now that three Spalding residents have been elected to the Board of Governors of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Deborah Simpson will represent the South Holland constituency on the Trust’s Board of Governors – a group made up of members of the public, carers, service users, staff and stakeholder representatives from across the county.

Margaret Fone, of Gosberton Risegate, and Peter Ryde have both been elected as Service User/Carer Governors in the Older Adults Mental Health Services category. Margaret and Peter will be representing the views of older adults carers and service users from across Lincolnshire, not just South Holland.

The Board of Governors helps to shape the future direction of the Trust and plays a part in developing mental health, substance misuse and learning disabilities services across the county.

Foundation Trusts are a new type of organisation – run as independent public benefit corporations similar to mutual organisations such as the Co-op or building societies. The key difference is that NHS Foundation Trusts are run locally. Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was officially declared as a Foundation Trust earlier this year on 1 October.

Trust Chairman Alison Healey said: “Members of the public in South Holland and the rest of Lincolnshire have made sure their voices have been heard and have elected people who I am sure will be first class representatives.

“Congratulations to all three and I look forward to welcoming them at the next Board of Governors meeting. I am sure they will all make an active contribution to the future of the Trust.”