Mental health provision has long been an issue very close to my heart – having seen through close friends and family how mental health problems can often destroy lives.

As I have often said, the decision in 2012 to enshrine parity of esteem for physical and mental health in law was a great step forward, and we have seen a lot of positive progress being made to tackle this issue.

However, there is always more that can be done to drive forward improvements in mental health provision, both locally and nationally, and that’s why I am so committed to helping to bring about further progress in this area.

I am delighted to hear, therefore, that the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) are now encouraging local people with an interest in mental health to consider standing for election as one of their governors – with the express aim of driving improvements.

The NSFT are currently looking for 11 new governors to represent the views of local people (three public governors in Norfolk, two public governors in Suffolk, one service user governor in Norfolk, two service user governors in Suffolk, one carer governor and two staff governors) and, as a firm supporter of the principle of Localism, I believe that it is vital that local voices are a big part of the discussions on such issues.

If YOU are interested in finding out more about standing for one of these roles, an information session is taking place on Monday 15th October, between 2pm-4pm at the Diss Business Hub.

To book a place, contact Kate Hope at kate.hope@nsft.nhs.uk or call 01603 421291.

Nominations open on October 17th and close at noon on November 14th.