DO you want to make a difference to the way mental health services are provided in Sussex?

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is holding elections for 12 new governors.

The trust provides specialist mental health and learning disability services to all ages in Sussex as well as children and young people in Hampshire.

The Council of Governors is representative of the patients, staff and the local communities.

It plays a vital role in ensuring the decisions made by the Trust are reflective of the views of these key stakeholders.

Peter Molyneux, chairman of Sussex Partnership and of the Council of Governors, said: “Our governors play a vital role in helping to shape future services for our communities.

“The council supports the board to ensure that that our services are shaped to meet the needs of those who access the services and our local communities.

“They tell us it’s incredibly rewarding and I hope others are inspired to look at joining them.

“You don’t need any previous experience.

“We offer training and support so that people clearly understand the roles we are asking them to perform and have the skills and knowledge to fulfil them.

“Where service users or carers are standing, we will work closely with them to ensure they are supported throughout the process.”

Amy Herring, lead governor for Sussex Partnership, said now is a great time to be involved.

She said: “There’s no better time to become involved in mental health in the NHS than now.

“The NHS is considered to be a complex organisation but we need the strong accountable voice from Governors to help us and our partners move forward in providing the high standards of compassionate care to our local community.

“If this sounds like you and you are interested in being a time-committed volunteer in shaping the local community of mental health of today, please consider standing as a governor.”

Anyone can stand as a governor providing that they are a member of the Trust.

The role is voluntary and governors receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred, such as travelling costs whilst undertaking their duties. Governors will sit on the council for a three year term of office.

Nominations must be received by Friday, May 25.

Visit www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/election or email natalie.hennings@sussexparternship.nhs.uk

Seven of the positions are for service users.

Three are three for members of the public, one for carer and one staff member.