Appointed Governors sit on the Council of Governors and currently represent Warrington Local Authority; Ribble Valley Local Authority; Sefton Local Authority; Local Voluntary Organisation (Sefton Carers); and Unions and Other Staff Representative Bodies (Mersey Care Staff Side Chair).
Five Appointed Governors
Victoria Keeley: Appointed Governor – Voluntary Organisation (Sefton Carers)
I am the CEO for Sefton Carers Centre, a local charity providing information, advices and services for over 11,000 unpaid carers aged 5 years old and above living in Sefton.
I provide leadership to Sefton Carers Centre and am responsible for the management and administration of Sefton Carers Centre within the strategic and accountability frameworks laid down by the board of trustees. Together with the Chair, I enable the board of trustees to fulfil its duties and responsibilities for the governance of Sefton Carers and to ensure that the board receives timely advice and appropriate information on all relevant matters.
I worked in the private sector for over 13 years as a Senior Underwriter and Project development worker developing national strategies for business development into new markets. I have also developed new businesses for private companies to expand opportunities in franchise growth markets. Over the last 15 years I have worked for the voluntary sector, again developing new businesses and projects to support the needs of local community whilst working with local and national Government agendas in health and social care.
Mersey Care are an important partner of the voluntary sector linking in with key agendas of Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) sector organisations such as those of the Carers Centre. This led me to become a governor and support the voice of the VCF Sector within the governance of Mersey Care.
Second term 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2026
Appointed Governor - Local Authority (Ribble Valley)
Vacant
Ian Raven: Appointed Governor – Unions and Other Staff Representative Bodies
I start
ed with Mersey Care in 2005 working within the security department at Ashworth Hospital and for the past 5 years I have been the fulltime Lead Convenor for our branch of Unite the Union here at Mersey Care, and I’m currently the Interim Staff Side Chair. I have had the pleasure of witnessing and contributing to the growth of our Restorative Just and Learning Culture (RJLC) and the development of our Civility & Respect campaigns, and not only within our own Trust.
As an Armed Forces Veteran myself, it’s been fantastic working for a Trust that recognises the experiences our veterans can bring to the workforce, and by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant only shows the commitment Mersey Care has moving forward.
I support a variety of working groups within the Trust such as Respect & Civility, Policy groups, RJLC workshops to name but a few, as well as supporting our trade unions and professional councils and memberships throughout the divisions.
Ian Raven
Interim Staff Side Chair/ Branch Secretary
NW13408 Unite the Union
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
First term 1 October 2021 - 30 September 2024
Paul Warburton: Appointed Governor - Local Authority (Warrington)
I am an Appointed Governor from Warrington Borough Council where I am a Councillor for Chapelford and Old Hall Ward, the Cabinet Member for Statutory Health and Adult Social Care and the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.
I am a general nurse with a range of clinical experience and until recently was the programme lead for the Non-Medical Prescribing Programme at Edge Hill University where I prepared nurses, pharmacists and eligible allied health professionals to become prescribers. I have also sat as a Conduct and Competence Committee panel member for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
I have experience in delivering care, receiving care and observing the care delivered to relatives and understand that our staff are our greatest asset. I understand the importance of the NHS in our community and the importance of good communication in successful organisations and in ensuring high quality care.
I am a keen bike rider and know the benefits of cycling in improving and maintaining both physical and mental health.
I look forward to working as a Governor and representing the interests of service users, relatives, members and local people.
First term 1 October 2021 - 30 April 2024
Veronica Webster: Appointed Governor - Local Authority (Sefton)
For the last eleven years I have served as a Ward Councillor for Sefton MBC. I now represent Sefton as a Governor of Mersey Care.
Over the years I have been closely involved with family and friends who have had serious mental health issues. This experience has made me strongly committed to ensuring that service users always receive a high standard of professional care and support when needed. My work as a Sefton councillor has reinforced this commitment.
As a Governor I see that Mersey Care is moving forward and is addressing many diverse issues relating to the delivery of mental health care. Inpatient units in many cases are fit for purpose, are starting to be replaced with state of the art new builds. These will provide a more holistic and therapeutic environment for the benefit of service users and staff alike. The development of the Life Rooms bringing mental health out into the community is impressive.
One of the main aims of the trust to ‘Strive for Perfect Care’ is a great challenge for everyone involved. This is why it is important to recruit and maintain high quality staff and to ensure that they are supported in every way possible. The acquisition of Liverpool Community Health is now starting to develop the merging together of mental and physical health issues which will be a great benefit to service users.
Second term 1 May 2022 - 30 April 2025