Meet your Governors

Dan Stears

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I’ve struggled with anxiety for over 15 years and engaged within the Trust for the last 6. Although I’m on the road to recovery, I recognise there are days I still struggle. It’s important to me to use my experience for the benefit of other service users and staff delivering services. Because of this, I’m passionate and actively involved in the following:

• Service user recruitment and development: Recovery Academy: Early Intervention Peer Mentorship and co-delivery of courses. Service-user engagement strategy: 5 year strategic view
• First Step Trust: Teaching those in recovery, the skills and opportunities for employment and self-improvement
• Communication Skills: Ability to articulate from the Trust board to constituents & service users
• Community and Constituents Needs: Out of hours crisis care, developing contingency plans in the event of services being compromised so impact on service-users is minimal.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

• I’ve embraced Greater Manchester Mental Health’s ethos of being an Expert by Experience
• I’ve used the experiences I have to help improve the services both locally in Salford and across the Trust
• I was one of the service-users that assisted in Inspections of Trust secure units that contributed to the CQC reports
• I became a Service-User Representative on the Meadowbrook unit recruitment panel
• I was able to use this experience when I was selected to be one of the service-users to take part in the recruitment process of 3

Diane Hughes

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I would like to offer my experience of living with a mental health condition and my experience of various relevant institutions, both here and abroad. I believe that I have the requisite skills to be able to offer appropriate feedback to be able to ensure that the maximum help and support is provided to staff, carers, service users and their families. Having maintained a successful career despite my illness and then the experience of losing that career through the same illness I have a good motivation to ensure that the Trust offers the best possible service to both service users and staff.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

My previous career ( Principal Lecturer, Magistrate, Police Complaints Authority Member) involved an in depth knowledge of the law, policing, human rights, diversity, training, institutional management and the allocation of resources. I have acted as a service user volunteer in both this and Merseycare Trusts. I have experience of in-patient care, psychological and alternative therapies. My personal skills include active listening, compassion, and empathy. I have extensive experience of investigations into critical incidents and therefore a good understanding of the need for the appropriate training, policies and procedures to avoid negative events. I also have a good awareness of the devil being in the detail.

Nathan Anthony Prescott

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I want to be able to help shape a service that is user friendly, that respects the dignity of each INDIVIDUAL patient as well as their families/friends and carers. One that learns quickly from its' mistakes and ensures NO ONE slips through the net. I will reach out to other service users to find out what they need from the service, then lobby for any adjustments needed.I will fight for a system that offers transparency and choice to its service users. I'll strive to bring mental health care in line with the rest of our NHS so service users have a choice of who they see and can ask for second opinion. I want to be a governor so I can work with the trust to secure additional funding to bring waiting times down, review Care Quality Commission inspection results and push to ensure changes are made to become OUTSTANDING in all areas and make GMMH foundation trust the best it can be.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

As a mental health service user, I've experienced the service doing well but also when things go badly wrong; giving me insight and perspective. As director of a management company, I have the skills to identify poor performance and ability to problem solve to provide the best on a given budget. As a qualified pharmacist, I have great medical knowledge as well as compassion, respect and empathy.

Margaret Willis

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I have been a member of the Trust since 2008 and a service user/ carer governor for six of those years. As I am a service user myself I have always wanted to provide help and support to my fellow service users and their carers.  At the end of last year I made a number of visits to units in Manchester. Now that Manchester is part of the same Trust I wish to continue with these visits as a governor, please help me to help you.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have been a member of the Nominations Committee which deals with the interviewing and appointment of The Chairperson and non-executive directors. I am currently a member of the care hub committee and very much enjoy this role. I am also a ward volunteer at the Woodlands Hospital which is a challenging yet enjoyable role.

Dr Victoria Sullivan

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I believe that the Trust places a high value on patient care and is proactive in involving service users, carers and staff in developing and improving services. I feel that the role of a governor would allow me to continue to support the Trust in ensuring that these values and responsibilities are maintained to a high standard and to advocate on behalf of my patients and colleagues. The Trust has been undertaking a number of significant changes with the merger with another mental health trust and I feel that as a medical governor I would be able to bring a key perspective as to the impact that these changes will have on services, which the Trust Executive should take into account.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have worked for the NHS for over ten years and in this Trust since 2013 and have seen many positive changes take place. I have been involved in the Medical Staff Committee, which has allowed me to discuss the concerns of colleagues in the development of services. I feel that I am articulate in expressing my views and can represent the views of others.

Lesley O'Neill

Why do I want to be a Governor?

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Stuart Edmondson

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I’m immensely proud to be a nurse and have a nearly 29 year-long nursing career behind me with recent experience of working for the Care Quality Commission which I would bring to the benefit of GMMH.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I am keen as a Governor to use the opportunity it brings to challenge the stigma and inequalities sadly still associated with mental health. I will seek to positively raise the profile of mental health in our communities and be the voice of reason for nursing. I have been privileged to help people at their most vulnerable which has given me a greater understanding to apply as a nurse professional.

Rick Wright

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I am proud to work closely with my social care colleagues in all directorates and I am constantly impressed by their knowledge, dedication to service users and carers and all round commitment to delivering a quality service. As governor I want to ensure that the vital contribution of social care staff is fully recognised and that the social care perspective continues to be embedded as intrinsic to understanding and addressing the needs of service users and carers. I would like to contribute to ensuring that GMMH is well equipped to meet the new challenges as we move into a new era of greater integration and changing demand. I want to promote closer relationships with partner agencies and as a governor do what I can to promote any initiatives to reduce staff stresses whilst maintaining excellent quality.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have been a MH social work manager for many years and I remain an Approved Mental Health Professional. Over the years I have been involved in the successful integration of health and social care in what is now GMMH. I have helped implement various legal and social care developments in that time- not least the amended MHA, MCA and Care Act. I highly value my colleagues across the directorate and hope to support them where I can with any knowledge or experience I have gained. I want to offer my support as a governor.

Anita Arrigonie

Why do I want to be a Governor?

From a non-clinical point and seeing services change and having personal experience of mental ill health and the effects this has on family, carers and friends prompted me to apply.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Having worked in the service for many years I understand the complexities of the service.  I also understand the viewpoint of patients and their carers and being a member of staff from this aspect also.   I have excellent analytical skills and I am a great problem solver.   I am not afraid of working hard if the outcome would bring benefits to the end user.  I care deeply for the patients for whom I manage the service and would like to ensure that the quality of the service is raised year on year.

Nasur Iqbal

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I have a keen interest in mental health policy and change. Our Trust is undergoing lots of changes such as redesigning services, shaping clinical structures to the wider policy of Devo-Manc. This will be an interesting and challenging time but also a very real opportunity to shape the strategy and quality of mental health services for the people we support in our day to day clinical work. I believe I am a good communicator and a real team player and so I hope this will help me to work collaboratively with others in putting our views forward to the Trust Board.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have studied, trained and worked within the Greater Manchester area since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist in 2004. I feel I’ve developed some sense of the common successes and challenges that we face within psychological therapy services such as advocating for needs-led service provision, having well resourced services that offer the range of evidence based therapies at different levels, more integrated working with other colleagues and services as just few examples. I consider myself to be someone who can listen and act on issues that matter. I would therefore welcome the opportunity, and challenge, of becoming a staff governor and would work hard to communicate your message(s) to the Trust Board.

Jane Lee

Why do I want to be a Governor?

The expertise of allied health professionals transforms lives. In my career I have seen:

• How understanding nutrition has led to control over disabling mental- health conditions and return to employment
• How adjusting communication as a result of speech and language assessment has led to stable accommodation and access to education
• How through Occupational therapy and the exploration of personal values and beliefs, people have been able to build skills and access opportunities to develop positive life roles, manage homes access education and gain employment. Without the right intervention people often become isolated and mentally and physically unwell. Over the last period austerity has had devastating effects on our communities and services. Homelessness, poverty, cuts to services has increased pressure on mental-health services Mental-health teams have struggled valiantly to support people and communities but are massively under resourced.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

• I will promote the skills and expertise of allied health professionals and access to therapy for our service-users in Greater Manchester
• Speak up for well resourced, evidence based mental health services and research
• Stand for community resources in social housing, employment, education childcare.

Albert Phipps

Why do I want to be a Governor?

Now I am retired I would like to offer my services to my community.  This, coupled with my experience of working with people with mental health issues and my knowledge of psychology, mean I am in a good position to do this.  Moreover, I have been on the board of trustees of a local mental health charity (at the moment I am Vice-chair) for several years. This has given me insights into the 'grass roots' of mental health provision and difficulties that people (the providers and the 'customers') often face.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Until my retirement I was a university lecturer (The University of Bolton) for 18 years, I come from a working class background and returned to education later in life. Therefore I am focused, determined, organised and used to working in a team. Similarly the knowledge I have gained through my studies (I am a qualified CBT therapist and graduate member of the British Psychological Society) also mean I have firm grasp the theoretical aspects of mental health issues. All of this (I feel) puts me in an ideal position to be to be a governor.

Emma Wood

Why do I want to be a Governor?

Although I am not originally from Bolton I have worked in Bolton for the last 16 years and have resided in Bolton for the last 13 years. Throughout this time I have represented many clients in my professional capacity as a
Solicitor. I am highly regarded and respected and take great pride in my work and my achievements. This would be carried through to my role as governor. I would conduct my role with discretion and with due diligence.
I wish to be able to continue to represent the local community in Bolton.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I qualified as a Solicitor in 2006 and I am now a salaried partner at our Horwich office, working in the wills and probate department. In 2015, I became a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), an independent organisation of solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives who provide specialist legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers. I have also been a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) since 2017. I carry out all types of work in our busy elderly client department, specialising in wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney and advice on care fees. I am currently a Trustee for Age UK in Bolton and have been representing the ageing community in Bolton with support from a dedicated board of trustees. I am a dementia friend.

David Sutton

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I have a long-standing interest in mental health and the care offered to people who suffer from mental ill-health and believe that Governors have an important role to play in holding the Trust Board to account in its activities and decisions and in representing the views and interests of the constituency they serve in the delivery of mental health service.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Maureen Burke

Why do I want to be a Governor?

As a Governor I would be honoured to continue to support the Trust in all of its endeavours, especially during a time of change and transition. The Governor role would afford me the opportunity to contribute to its successes, with the broad lens my NHS career has provided me with.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

My professional and, more recent, personal life haveprovided me with what I believe to be the necessary experience and skills to be an effective Governor. I’ve had a successful 40 year career in the NHS in clinical and managerial roles, across a wide range of settings. In order to add positivity I had to be flexible, tenacious, a team player, engiving, inquisitive, informed, analytical,
confident and have a good sense of humour. It was a privilege.

Personally, more recently, I have spent 12 years as a carer for a close relative with dementia. This has had a profound effect on me in that I now find myself much more forgiving and compassionate. The experience was incredibly challenging but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Iris Nickson

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I wish to help in the removal of all social stigmas surrounding mental illness and to encourage sufferers who have not yet sought advice to discuss their illness and establish a course of treatment which will improve the quality of their lives and to help them realise their full potential by linking mental health treatments with education. Although the mental health sector has improved immensely over the last 30 years, I see through my father-in-law’s experiences that there remain many opportunities for improvements in the delivery of care to service users and their relatives. I am passionate about seizing these opportunities and I feel my insights into the challenges faced by people dealing with mental health issues and my wider experiences of improving the lives of young people who suffered with mental health and behavioural issues would make me a very valuable addition to your team.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have twenty years’ experience working in education. Seven years were in the special school (BESD) sector, the children displayed a diverse range of learning and mental health problems. Working collaboratively with multi-agency teams was imperative. I have the ability to be empathetic, to listen constructively, to work collaboratively and to be adaptable. Recently I have worked in the voluntary sector for three years. I have gained many useful insights, particularly into the problems mental health illnesses cause to carers and close relatives alike.

Gary Cooke

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I'd like to be a govenor because I can bring fresh ideas to the service as an ex inpatient on wards and been through the service from home based treatment team to cmht to cbt ect.. I know plenty of service users who tell me all their ideas and past or current problems. I have an insight into the service from wards to management. I'm not afraid to speak out about things I do not agree with. I'm not afraid to tell others about my problems with mental health and alcohol addiction. I put in hard work to ensure a better quality of service to all service users or to help staff members.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I have experience in ECM and quality ward inspections. I am a peer mentor on numerous wards, I run an abstinence group for achieve BST I'm chair of the recovery action group.i run the activity room at Moorside. I run a reading well group at laureate as well as numerous other roles. 

Nayla Cookson

Why do I want to be a Governor?

For two years I have been proud to represent the Public of Manchester as their GMMH Governor. I stood because I felt my own family care experience might of value if carer’s problems were properly represented. Having seen, from Governor level, the immense scope of work of our Trust, and with the opportunity to listen to NHS staff’s views at many levels along with service user’s committees, I have strived to ensure new ideas are aired in the highest level of administration.The trust’s work is ably supported by regional Metro Mayors in highlighting the social causes of increasing mental health issues. As Governor I actively supported the NHS initiative to radically improve after
care through integrating hospital discharge procedures into the wider context of social support. Treating mental health issues is increasingly tied to sustaining improved living conditions following discharge. Finally, experience convinces me that the next great area in need is the pressing issue of adolescent mental health. Resourcing an early intervention is one key to tackling deficiency in mental health of our whole population, and will limit escalation later in life.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Professionally I am an language specialist, having worked in many countries, including inner city schools in Manchester. I am active in Anglo-Lebanese cross-cultural activities, local Age Friendly groups and my church's Legion of Mary. Multicultural community action is vital to solving mental health problems in Manchester.

Lynn Howe

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I believe I can give time to something worthwhile, which is beneficial to all within Manchester. I have had friends and colleagues who have suffered with mental health and know that support is key. My mother developed dementia when suffering pancreatic cancer and it was a difficult time for all who loved her.  I understand that mental health is in many forms and one prescription does not fit all. I am looking at giving back to the community and this is a good way in which my skills can be utilised.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

With an accountancy and business background I feel this is something I can support.  As I hold accountancy and business academic qualifications and have worked within private organisations since the age of 16, I have vast experience in recruitment, finances, and understanding of annual reports. Colleagues and friends have told me I work well with people as I am sympathetic and caring, yet pragmatic. I am a good listener and believe that everyone is equal and deserves the best. I am positive in my approach and will always look at the benefits and risks within scenarios. I communicate well within all areas of a business, from senior to junior members and have been involved in many Directors meeting.

Angela Beadsworth

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I’ve worked in public service for 36 years and am currently working in the Manchester and Trafford health & social care arena as Head of Workforce to improve access to a range of services through system & service redesign. In that time I’ve accessed a range of mental health services for close family relatives and so have my own personal narrative for wanting to become a Governor at GMMH. I also feel I can contribute to governance responsibilities as I’m solution focussed, analytical and can understand and navigate outcomes for complex issues.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

I’ve worked in public service at Senior level for over 20 years and I’m a chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel & Development. I can bring my experience & working knowledge of the current GM health & social care system so aware of it’s challenges & opportunities as I’m currently delivering the HRService to Trafford CCG and leading the Commissioning integration work stream. I have written & presented governing body, Remcom & council of Member reports. I have a coaching style and can facilitate discussions and ensure I actively listen to people’s views ensuring all have a voice. I care passionately about improving public service and being accountable is one of my key personal values. If I was selected I will do my utmost to assist Governing Body to hold the Trust to account & improve outcomes.

Rob Beresford

Why do I want to be a Governor?

I believe my knowledge and experience of the NHS, in particular the Mental Health Policy both nationally and locally, will give me the opportunity to promote better outcomes for service users and carers across the organisation. Through the Council of Governors I will question, challenge and support the management Board. I would also like to make it easier for members to access their governors.

What experience and skills do you feel you could bring to the role?

Although now retired, I have worked my entire Career as a Registered Mental Health Nurse within the Trust. My numerous roles include Community Psychiatric Nurse at both Trafford and Bolton and laterally Clinical Leader and Senior Nurse with the Adult Forensic service. I have studied at Manchester Metropolitan University and have a degree in Community Health Care. I have now completed 3 years as a Public Governor, and feel that I am in a strong position within the Trust Community, having visited a number of sites and services. I am a keen Amateur Photographer, believing that this art form allows us all to experience feelings and emotions within the Image. With the support of the Trust and my local camera club I was able to organise a photographic exhibition at the Curve, which was extremely successful, and will now become an Annual event for the foreseeable future, bringing the Trust and the local Community closer together.

Tim Bradshaw

University of Manchester

Margaret Rowe

University of Salford

Dean of the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Science at the University of Salford.  Before joining the University of Salford in September 2016, Margaret was Associate Dean Business and Engagement in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Northumbria University. Having joined Northumbria University in 1996 as a Senior Lecturer of Children’s Nursing, Margaret held the roles of Head of the Children’s Nursing & Child Health Department, Head of the Department of Primary & Social Care and Associate Dean (Pre-Registration Health).

Margaret is highly regarded on the regional, national and international stage and is the Higher Education national representative on the Nursing and Midwifery Council Revalidation Strategic Steering Group.  As a Council of Deans’ representative, Margaret has collaborated on the development of guidelines for higher education institutions in relation to the revalidation process.  Margaret has worked with Health Education England, national and regional bodies and the North East Combined Authority and actively contributes to national and regional debates and forums on workforce issues, policies and future ways of working in Health and Social Care.

During Margaret’s time as Associate Dean for Health, she improved National Student Survey (NSS) ratings in her Faculty to rank within the top ten for Nursing & Midwifery and within the top fifteen for Physiotherapy in the UK. Margaret has also sought to improve retention and employability opportunities for a wide range of students and Northumbria is now ranked in the top 20 per cent of UK universities for retention rates in Health programmes. Margaret has also driven a significant uplift in enterprise income throughout the past three years and has actively supported, and enhanced, the Faculty’s research culture. Margaret brings a wealth of international experience, including the successful development of new programmes and partnerships development in a number of countries including Malaysia, Thailand and China.

Prior to joining Northumbria University, Margaret enjoyed a successful career as a Registered General Nurse and a Senior Clinical Nurse Manager – Children’s Services.

Mat Ainsworth

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Mat Ainsworth is the Assistant Director for Employment (Strategy, Policy & Delivery) at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Mat is responsible for the delivery of the employment elements of GM’s groundbreaking devolution agreement and the Greater Manchester Strategy priority around good jobs for people to progress & develop. The key elements of this include the development of a whole population Working Well system to ensure people have the support and opportunities to secure and progress in work; developing a world-class jobs and progression service, working with Jobcentre Plus; and developing a GM approach to managing welfare reform that delivers job progression and addresses low pay.   The role includes significant joint working with partners across GM, especially those working in health, skills and economic development, as well as with central government departments, academics and Think Tanks.

Mat has previously worked for Salford City Council, Nottingham City Council, Jobcentre Plus and as a teacher and freelance translator in Slovenia.

Sara Wallwork

Greater Manchester Police

Mental Health Lead for Greater Manchester Policy (GMP), Sara will represent GMP on the Council of Governors.  

Sara has served with GMP for 28 years and has worked across most of the boroughs in Greater Manchester.   She has a vast experience in relation to vulnerability and public protection, MAPPA, coronial matters, local policing and investigations.

Stewart Lucas

Manchester MIND

(representing GM Voluntary Sector)

Appointed Governor

GM Association of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)