About us- Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

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Help in a crisis

Meet our governors

Latest news:

Mental health trust staff sleep rough to highlight homelessness
23 Apr 2018
How mental health diagnosis should be more collaborative
19 Apr 2018
Mental health trust praised in national report
17 Apr 2018
New Head of Quality Improvement appointed
16 Apr 2018
Assistant Practitioner takes on world's largest obstacle course
12 Apr 2018

Upcoming events:

Board of Directors - Ipswich

Useful links:

Council of Governors

Public meetings

Elections

Public Governors - Suffolk

	Ian Hartley Term of office started 1 February 2018 I have a long-standing interest in mental health going back to the 1960s when I first experienced anxiety and panic attacks. In the 1970s I was briefly hospitalised and treated with drugs and ECT. In the 1980s I began working for Mind in Suffolk, eventually becoming the CEO. I worked for Mind for almost 20 years. During that time I worked with NHS and Local Authority services in Suffolk and Mind was jointly commissioned to succesfully run housing and day services. After retiring from Mind I worked for five years in service improvement with the Care Services Improvement Partnership and Suffolk Social Services. I also became a trustee of the Suffolk service user-led organisation SUF. I have followed the fortunes of NSFT, kept abreast of good practice and now feel I can continue to work for services that meet the needs of those who experience mental health difficulties as a govenor of the Trust.
	Steve Roche Term of office started 1 February 2018 I was born in Suffolk and have lived here most of my life, working for the last 20 years in coaching, therapy, and personal development. I am co-director of a CIC dedicated to improving wellbeing in Suffolk. I am aware of the challenges facing rural and ageing populations. I am an advocate of peer support that helps people to help themselves, particularly to empower older and disadvantaged people by building peer networks to combat loneliness and isolation, and meet emotional needs like meaning, connection and community. I have worked with a number of local charities, in recent years delivering training and running groups for Suffolk Mind. I have first-hand knowledge of the IAPT services. I worked at senior level in business and have strong skills in organisation, communication, reviewing, and editing. I am an excellent chair, presenter, writer, and speaker, skilled at analysing arguments and asking perceptive questions. I aim to use my skills to benefit the trust, represent users, and support and challenge the directors.
	Martin Wright Term of office started 1 February 2016 I spent 43 years as a chartered accountant and have extensive experience in managing finances in a wide variety of different organisations. I have lived in Hadleigh in Suffolk for 34 years and have enjoyed working with many local community organisations, including the scouts, sports clubs and trade associations. Currently, I work with Suffolk Cruse Bereavement Care to support the bereaved and help with fundraising. I stood for election after three close family members used mental health services with mixed experiences and outcomes. I feel the Trust needs individuals with good judgement, appropriate skills and experience to improve the quality of services it provides and its financial management. My aim is to work with others to hold NSFT to account, improve services and provide a strong voice for everyone who needs support with their mental health.

	Kathleen Ben Rabha Term of office started 1 February 2014 I've now been elected as a Public Governor for Suffolk, having served before as a Partner Governor. I have strong connections with the community and voluntary sector. In my work in the Church of England in Suffolk, I'm working to raise awareness in church communities and faith groups in general about mental health. I am also connected with Healthwatch Suffolk and the Suffolk User Forum.
	Dr Paddy Fielder Term of office started 1 February 2014 I'm a recently retired family doctor, having worked in the NHS since 1970. I was employed at both the Norfolk and Norwich and Ipswich hospitals and spent many years in rural general practice in Suffolk. Besides caring for patients, I also taught medical students and graduate doctors. Since retirement, I started and have been involved in a patient participation group and chair the Debenham Project for the carers of those with dementia within my community.
	Andrew Good Term of office started 1 February 2014 My last management role before retirement in 2011 was as Chief Executive of Mid Suffolk District Council. A Samaritan volunteer for 19 years and Chairman of the Colchester, Tendring and Suffolk Borders branch, I'm concerned about the impact of mental health issues on people's lives. I have first hand family experience of seeking support for someone with Alzheimer’s. I believe that through effective engagement, service users can and should influence policy, service design and delivery. I now chair the Membership Subgroup.

Public Governors - Norfolk


	Stephen Fletcher Term of office started 1 February 2013 Over the past ten years, my aim in life has been to represent the needs of people with mental health conditions as a governor and chair of the former Trust Service Users Council. I work professionally as a chef and voluntarily with homeless people in Norwich. I understand mental health service provision, government policy, commissioning and service delivery. As a governor and service user in recovery, I pride myself on being the voice of service users and a passionate link between them, carers and the Trust. I am interested in the quality of life and services available to people living in the community and am keen to see service users placed at the heart of everything the Trust does. I take an active role in monitoring the safety, effectiveness and environment from which services are delivered with a view to improving mental healthcare for everyone.
	Catherine Wells, Lead Governor Term of office started 1 February 2013 I have been a public governor since 2015, which has allowed me to undertake an active process of scrutinising, questioning and – where necessary – challenging decisions within the Trust. As an occupational therapist within Norfolk, I worked clinically in the mental health service before moving to the UEA to teach. I became a public governor following my retirement as I see the role as vital in maintaining focus on the issues which matter to the public, namely high quality, effective and safe care. My personal, clinical and educational background gives me with a good understanding of what is required to achieve this ideal for service users, carers and staff members. I'm involved in the Education and Planning and Performance sub-groups and the Nominations Committee, and am particularly interested in high quality practice and professionalism. It is a vital time for our mental health service and my aim is to ensure the Trust provides the best possible care.
	Dr Ron French Term of office started 1 February 2014 I'm experienced as a research physicist, IT director and in consultancy and, most recently, as a board member of a private university and now a trustee. I have advised a range of government bodies and other agencies, including hospitals, on efficiency and the preparation and implementation of strategic plans. I was the carer of my mother and of my wife with terminal cancer and had a bipolar son-in-law who refused help because of the stigma attached. As a new governor, I look forward to contributing to the Board and its committees for the benefit of our local community.
	Sheila Preston Term of office started 1 February 2014 As a governor, I hope to act as an effective interface between service users, carers, the public, and the Trust in order to monitor the design and delivery of appropriate and superior mental health services equitably among users.

	Hilary Hanbury Term of office started 1 February 2015 Twenty five years in the education sector, as tutor, educational adviser and in senior management gave me a gift: to be involved in the lives of people who were experiencing mental ill health. Some had additional support needs due to learning difficulties or physical disabilities. They sometimes found it difficult, without support, to access things that others in the community found easy, like social interaction, higher education, building relationships or going to the shops. That support wasn't always available. This was wrong and I spent most of my working life helping to improve their experiences through the adult education department at the Norvic Clinic and with community mental health staff. In twenty five years much has improved, but we can still do better. My pledge is to contribute to the continuing improvement of mental health services for the people of Norfolk and Suffolk by working on your behalf. I am on your side.
	Nigel Boldero Term of office started 1 March 2016 I’ve lived in Norfolk for nearly 30 years and over that time have been a volunteer in a variety of fields. I want to contribute to the effective governance of the Trust and to connect with the public it serves, especially in Norfolk. Initially trained in spatial planning, most of my working life has involved policy planning, analytical and management positions in a range of local and national public bodies (including a local NHS Community Health Trust, Social Services and a Housing Association). I have a commitment to enabling effective joint working between agencies and played a part in the transformation of old, outdated care facilities for elderly people and those with a learning disability into less institutional, community-based care. More recently I’ve provided independent support to public, charitable and voluntary organisations on a range of topics, including social enterprise development. Following further training about 10 years ago, I set up as a Garden and Landscape Designer specialising in children’s play landscapes.

Service User Governors - Suffolk

	Georgia Butler Term of office started 1 February 2018 I’m 30, a mother of two young girls, a keen gardener and baker and a NSFT service user. I moved to Suffolk from London three years ago, although I grew up just over the border in Essex. My professional background is in research and business analysis: I built my career at a global management consultancy firm, helping to shape best human resources practice across public, private and third sector organisations including the NHS. I have a special interest in diversity, talent management and leadership development. I also hold a Masters degree in Religion and Gender. I have service user experience across NHS, private and voluntary mental health services and hope to retrain as a psychotherapist. I stood as a Governor because I feel passionately about representing fellow service users, making sure our voices are heard where it matters and our varied insights, experiences and skills put to best use.
	Malcolm Blowers Term of office started 1 February 2016 I have been a partnership governor linking Suffolk User Forum to NSFT for several years, and believe I have a good understanding of the way the Trust works. I have also suffered with bi-polar disorder since 1968 so have a strong knowledge of mental health conditions. Over the past few years, I have set up a group in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft called Feedback, which gives service users the chance to make their voices heard, and also run a support group in Lowestoft twice a week. I am also a trustee and longest serving member of the Suffolk User Forum.

Georgia Butler
Term of office started 1 February 2018

I’m 30, a mother of two young girls, a keen gardener and baker and a NSFT service user.

I moved to Suffolk from London three years ago, although I grew up just over the border in Essex.

My professional background is in research and business analysis: I built my career at a global management consultancy firm, helping to shape best human resources practice across public, private and third sector organisations including the NHS. I have a special interest in diversity, talent management and leadership development. I also hold a Masters degree in Religion and Gender.

I have service user experience across NHS, private and voluntary mental health services and hope to retrain as a psychotherapist.

I stood as a Governor because I feel passionately about representing fellow service users, making sure our voices are heard where it matters and our varied insights, experiences and skills put to best use.

Malcolm Blowers thumb.jpg

Malcolm Blowers

Term of office started 1 February 2016

I have been a partnership governor linking Suffolk User Forum to NSFT for several years, and believe I have a good understanding of the way the Trust works. I have also suffered with bi-polar disorder since 1968 so have a strong knowledge of mental health conditions.

Over the past few years, I have set up a group in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft called Feedback, which gives service users the chance to make their voices heard, and also run a support group in Lowestoft twice a week.

I am also a trustee and longest serving member of the Suffolk User Forum.

Service User Governors - Norfolk

Ginnie Benedettini

Term of office started 1 February 2016

I have always felt passionately about society working to improve mental health services and enhance the emotional wellbeing of both individuals and their community.

I have extensive experience of working with people with mental health conditions and thus a lot of insight into the way peoples' lives are affected. This, together with my own experience of services, prompted me to stand for election as I feel that service users should have a voice, while the way in which services affect them needs to be recognised and improved.

I am a peer tutor with NSFT's Recovery College and am qualified in a variety of holistic therapies, including aromatherapeutic massage, hypnotherapy, reiki and meditation.

Richard Gorrod

Term of office started 1 February 2016

I have been a Doctor for 28 years and a GP in North Norfolk for over 20 years. For the last 10 years I was the Mental Health Lead at Fakenham Medical Practice.

Last year, I became severely ill with mental illness and I spent some months in hospital. This had a profound effect on myself and my family.

The experience has given me some insight and understanding into what matters when you are ill. I have since become a Trustee of MIND and been involved with teaching Medical Students at the UEA about mental illness.

Carer Governor - Suffolk

Anne Humphrys

Term of office started 1 February 2016

As the mother of a teenager with complex mental health needs, I have been working with NSFT, Suffolk County Council, our local CCGs and other stakeholders for the past two years to improve services for young people. During this time, I co-founded a support group for parents and carers and have also worked with national organisations, such as NHS England and Young Minds, to make a difference to the services they receive. This work has been informed by both my personal experiences as a carer and my professional life as a teacher.

I am passionate about improving mental health services for all ages and write a regular blog about my experiences. I will bring my experience, understanding and work at both national and local levels to my role as a governor, which I hope will be a natural development of the work I already do.

Carer Governor - Norfolk

Christine Hawkes
Term of office started on 1 February 2018

As a carer of a service user of NSFT, I am in touch with carers and carersʼ groups throughout Norfolk. I attend Trust governor and director Board meetings regularly. I care passionately that the voices of users and carers should be at the forefront of commissioning, design and delivery of mental health services.

As a teacher in charge of a specialist unit for children with autism I was involved with children, families and the Local Authority. I helped families obtain support with housing, benefits, medical and other difficulties. We worked together to ensure the child was supported under the Children and Families Act 2014.

I will represent carersʼ needs, emphasising the vital role of unpaid carers of mentally ill people.

Staff Governors

	Jill Curtis Term of office started 1 February 2018 I am a frontline worker, who has a positive outlook and tenacious attitude, who will bring an everyday perspective to the role. People who have met me know I am forthright and honest and am prepared to advocate and support others to achieve a fair outcome. I have been employed by NSFT for 17 years and enjoy working collaboratively alongside colleagues, service users and carers. I am actively involved in culture-changing initiatives, including the Triangle of Care and the Recovery College. I have built relationships with other statutory and community services and over the last year have organised and participated in community events to listen to and gather people’s views about NSFT services. It is my hope that NSFT will continue to provide a caring service that meets the requirements of local people and the high standards expected.
	Marcus Hayward Term of office started 1 February 2016 I qualified as a registered mental health nurse in 1982, but have interwoven my mental health career with other paths and interests including global travel, documentary making and studying comparative philosophies and cultures. Since returning to practice with NSFT in 2002, I've held a variety of clinical and management roles. I will use all of this experience in my role as a governor. I want to make a positive difference for those receiving our services and the staff delivering them. During our current period of introspection and improvement, I believe we should be appreciating great staff, identifying examples of best practice and advocating for transformation from the ground up. In my view, no one knows better how to improve services than those delivering them on the front line. My aim is to hold the Trust's senior leadership to account to ensure we really do all work positively and respectfully together to improve mental healthcare.
	Dr Zeyar Win Term of office started 1 February 2016 I am an associate specialist in dementia and complexity of later life based in Norwich, and have 32 years' experience working in medicine. My aim is to ensure the Trust provides compassionate, high quality and safe care as well as services which are designed and delivered with effectiveness and efficiency. I believe in person-centred care which is based on patient experience and participation, and truly believe that value-based healthcare can be achieved if everyone's values are aligned. I pride myself on my transparency, honesty and trustworthiness, and hope to engage with staff and use collective leadership as a platform to provide the best care to patients, carers and professionals.

	Howard Tidman Term of office started 1 February 2015 I've worked in the Trust for 12 years in a number of areas and roles; currently in Great Yarmouth in the acute service. I also have an interest in carer support and am the local carers' lead. This gives me a broad understanding of the priorities of staff, service users and carers which I will represent rigorously on the Board. I am passionate about the Trust providing high quality care and recognize that well-supported staff are essential in achieving this. I appreciate just how difficult things are at present and how hard my colleagues are working currently to provide a safe and caring service for those we care for. I am a trustee of a community project and chair of a Norwich charity and strongly believe in a holistic and recovery based approach to mental health difficulties.

Partner Governors

	Sian Coker, University of East Anglia Heather Rugg, University of Suffolk
	Norfolk County Council, currently vacant Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council
	Awaiting appointment, Youth Council Suffolk Meghan Teviotdale, Youth Council Norfolk