Mental health care in Lincolnshire has some new champions now that two Lincoln area residents have been elected to the Board of Governors of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Emma Tenwick-Ford, who lives in Bassingham, will represent the views of young people across the county in her new role as Young Persons Governor in the Service User/Carer category.

Mark Challinor, Older Adults Team Leader at Witham Court, Lincoln, has been elected to represent Older Adults Service staff members.

Both will sit 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.

This group will help to shape the future direction of the Trust and play 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 staff, service users and carers have made sure their voices are heard and have elected people who I am sure will be very good representatives.   

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