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Our Governors

Our Council of Governors acts as a link between service users, carers, staff, the general public and the Trust's Board of Directors.

They support the Board of Directors in setting the long-term vision for our organisation, and hold the non-executive directors to account for the actions of the Board. Our Board of Directors has a duty to consult, and listen to the views of, the Council of Governors.

Photo of Naomi Smith

Naomi Smith

Job title Public Governor
About

I have become public governor because I am passionate about supporting people with mental health needs and believe it is everybody’s responsibility to make accessing help as straightforward and dignified as possible.

I have been a member of SLaM since April 2019 and have lived in Southwark and then Lewisham for 7 years. I own a local business which provides Writing For Wellbeing workshops to adults, so I bring a good understanding of the non-clinical and holistic mental wellbeing interventions currently being provided outside of the NHS.

Further to this, I can offer a less common perspective on interacting with services as I have experience of operating as an outside agency for NHS-funded activity groups. I worked as a Wellbeing Support Worker for people experiencing homelessness for 3 years and now lead a rough sleeper outreach team so I already have the skillset to actively listen to people with mental health and substance misuse problems, and help them to have their voice heard about the services they are accessing.

I have two years experience as a trustee for a London charity so I am comfortable with the responsibility of a governance role, and have participated in two working-groups within that role to make smaller, more immediate decisions for positive changes to processes.

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Contact your governors

If you have a question for your governors, please email governors@slam.nhs.uk

The Council of Governors is made up of:

  • Appointed members from organisations that the Trust works with
  • People who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Carers of people who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Members of the public elected by our membership
  • Members of staff elected by our membership

The Council's responsibilities include:

  • Appointing the Chair and other non-executive directors
  • Removing, if three quarters of the council of governors decide that it is necessary, the chair or other non-executive directors
  • Approving, by a majority, the appointment of the Chief Executive by the non-executive directors
  • Appointing or removing the Trust's auditor
  • Supporting and engaging with the Trust board
  • Holding the non-executive directors to account for the performance of the Trust Board
  • Representing the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public
  • Approving 'significant transactions'
  • Deciding whether non-NHS work would significantly impact on the Trust's core role
  • Approving, by an overall majority, an application by the Trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution
  • Approving amendments to the Trust's constitution

Governors review

The governors review includes information about the role of governors and their activities over the preceding year:
Governors review 2021-22

Governors review 2020-21

How to become a governor

Governors are elected to the Council of Governors from the public, service user, carer and staff constituencies. Elected governors serve a three-year term on the Council of Governors. Governors are also appointed by partner organisations. 

If you are interested in becoming a governor, vacancies will be advertised here or you can contact us to find our more via governors@slam.nhs.uk

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