I have lived in Buckinghamshire for almost 25 years and brought up my two daughters here. I am a tax advisor by profession, mostly working on complex multidisciplinary problems for both large multinational companies and owner managed businesses. I have a good understanding of legal structure and governance, and the importance of process within large organisations.

Alongside this I volunteered at Citizens Advice for many years and Healthwatch more recently and so I see some of the impacts of poverty and health on each other in the community. This led to a deep interest in health inequalities and especially how they relate to healthcare pathways, which in turn took me to a Masters degree at UCL in Science & Technology Studies.  These included aspects of public health ethics, policy innovation and the policy response to anti-microbial resistance. I hope to bring all of this experience to the Governor role.

I am happy and excited to be re-elected for another term on the Council of Governors of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. Thank you to those who placed their trust in me.

I promise to draw onto my education, work and volunteer experience and the experience of using health services for me and my family to fulfil this role.

I am a physiotherapist with over 27 years of diverse experience in strategic healthcare leadership, health care commissioning, academic teaching and administration, research, and clinical expertise. My career has spanned the UK, Canada, and India, where I have honed my skills and leadership abilities. Most recently I completed a 12-month secondment as the Clinical Fellow to the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer at NHS England. I am now back to my substantive role as a Senior Commissioning Manager and Clinical Lead Therapist at an Integrated Care Board.

I started my career in India and then moved to Canada in 2009 to pursue a research degree on scholarship. I also got the opportunity to work there for two years after my studies. This gave me a good understanding of the healthcare environment in these two countries.

As a family we moved to Oxfordshire in 2015. I worked for around 5 and a half years as a trauma inpatient physiotherapist at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Though I worked for Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT, I relied on many of the services provided by Oxford Health NHSFT for the ongoing care of my patients. This gave me an opportunity to understand the challenges of the health needs of residents of Oxfordshire.

The Health and Care landscape is undergoing significant changes, and I see this as an opportunity to bring services closer to the service user. The need of the hour is to innovatively think and listen to the public of Oxfordshire on how we can improve access to services that directly and indirectly affect them and their families.

I am delighted to have been elected to serve as a public governor (Oxfordshire) and to have the opportunity to draw on my experience to strengthen the representation of patients, carers and staff and so improve the Trust’s services.

As a parent and carer, I have had personal experience of the highs and lows of CAMHS and Adult MH services:  the wonderful skills, care, and support of individual staff members, but also the pressures and frustrations of the system.  These have only increased recently and whilst I am full of admiration for staff, I worry for those needing support; I would work to ensure their experience helps to guide decisions about the best use of the resources available.

I have many years’ experience of working in older people services (community health, social care and housing) and am a trustee of Age UK Oxfordshire.  It is amazing how a more joined up approach can improve the experience of patients and carers but can be very challenging to deliver. I will work to ensure the voice of patients and carers of Oxfordshire can be heard within such a large, integrated system.

I currently work with a charity supporting teachers to deliver good autism practice; listening to the challenges that parents, carers and neurodiverse young people face in getting the right support has been an eye-opener.

I will strive to ensure the voices of all Oxfordshire’s diverse communities, young and old, are heard across the Trust.

My name is Julien FitzGerald and I have been an LGBT+ advocate and activist for over three decades. In addition, since 2005, I have been a service user of adult mental health services, as well as sitting on a number of associated forums and committees, to ensure that the collective voices and views of the local LGBT+ communities are heard, especially in regard to the provision of general and mental health services.

Additionally, I am also the founder and joint co-ordinator of the Aylesbury Vale LGBT Social Group who runs an increasingly successful Monthly Coffee Posse and will soon be relaunching our LGBT+ Families Hub and Café Posse, in conjunction with the Healthy Living Centre in Aylesbury.

I became a governor representing the constituency Service Users – Buckinghamshire & Other Counties to provide a voice for patients with mental health conditions and ensure that services can be specifically tailored to the needs of the LGBT+ communities in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas.

I have been disabled since birth. I have previously worked with a disabled organisation and my local authority in several positions. I decided I wanted to do something different and help more disabled people particularly those with a learning disability.

I have been a member of My life My choice for nearly four years; three of them as Co-Chair of the Trustees; a member of the Oxfordshire County council co-production Board; part of the leading together co-production group at Oxford Health and a spokesperson for Learning Disability England.

I have written a story which was published about my life during the first lockdown. I have also written many blogs and given many quotes about learning disabilities. I have been in the Oxford Mail as well as other local and national newspapers about how the pandemic is affecting people with learning disabilities. I have been on BBC local radio stations talking about COVID-19 and its effect on people with learning disabilities. I have made several appearances on BBC South Today talking about My life My Choice gig buddies and phone buddy projects along with COVID-19. I have also been on Japanese TV talking about COVID-19 and how it has affected people with learning disabilities in England.

I have done many presentations and lectures on self-advocacy and people with learning disabilities becoming leaders. I have done a podcast for the Leader’s Council of Great Britain.

Hi, I’m Tanveer, a dedicated carer based in Oxford, UK. I’m passionate about building meaningful connections and finding new ways to support those in need. With a strong background in mental and physical health recovery, I’ve been involved in various projects within the Trust, always striving to improve support systems and make a positive impact.

Beyond my work, I love exploring creative pursuits that encourage growth and personal development. As the newly appointed Carer Governor, I’m committed to bringing fresh ideas, dedication, and a collaborative approach to my role – working alongside carers and the community to make a real difference.

I have been interested in the provision of health care services in Oxfordshire for some time now as a carer for my husband who has been affected physically and mentally by his service within the Armed Forces.

I believe the NHS provides great services within Oxfordshire, and I am keen to work within Oxford health ensure the needs of all are met. I have previously been lucky enough to contribute to developing services within NHS England Armed Forces and within local government.

I am honoured to have been re-elected as a Staff Governor for the NHS Foundation Trust, having proudly served in this role for the past three years. With 24 years of residence in Oxford and a deep commitment to community wellbeing, I have worked with Oxford Health since 2018 as a Registered Nurse Associate in the Community Adult Mental Health Teams. Alongside my clinical role, I also serve as a Domestic Abuse Champion and previously co-led the Staff Autism Support Group for three years within the Trust’s EDI networks, with my tenure concluding in May 2025.

In addition to my professional experience, I bring a personal perspective to my role. My son has been a service user, which has given me firsthand insight into the realities of our mental health services—both from the viewpoint of those receiving care and their carers. This lived experience reinforces my commitment to compassionate, inclusive service delivery and helps me better represent the needs and concerns of our communities.

My wider involvement reflects a strong dedication to public service. I am a Community Governor at Larkrise Primary School, a Trustee at Donnington Doorstep Family Hub, a Community First Responder with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), and a volunteer interpreter with Refugee Resource and Asylum Welcome. I previously served as a City Councillor, further strengthening my passion for amplifying marginalized voices and reducing health inequalities.

During my first term as Governor, I actively contributed to the Council of Governors, participated in the Staff Experience and Patients & Carers Experience sub-groups, and served on the Nominations & Remuneration Committee. I’ve campaigned for improved staff facilities, greater support for BAME colleagues, and the preservation of adolescent services within the Warneford Park development. I have also supported new staff inductions by running Governor stalls.

I remain deeply committed to improving communication between staff and the Trust, ensuring that staff concerns are addressed, and fostering a workplace culture rooted in empathy, respect, and inclusion. I will continue to advocate for both staff and service users, drawing on my personal and professional experiences to help build a more responsive and equitable healthcare system.

I have been with Oxford Health since 2022. I am an Assistant Psychologist working with the North and West Oxon Memory Clinic and Community Older Adult Mental Health Team. Prior to this role, I have worked as an Assistant Psychologist at the Oxfordshire Talking Therapies service and as a Healthcare Assistant at the Littlemore Mental Health Hospital. I am passionate about ensuring the highest standards of care and service delivery in our mental health services, and I am eager to represent staff voices as a Governor for our NHS Trust. With a background in psychology, mental healthcare, and applied research, I have first-hand experience of the challenges and opportunities within our services.

Oxfordshire has a diverse population with varying mental health needs, and I am committed to championing inclusive, accessible, and innovative approaches to care. I am honoured to serve as a Staff Governor and look forward to ensuring that frontline perspectives help shape the strategic direction of our Trust.

I joined Oxford in January 2022 as a Senior Programme Manager within Community Dental Services. Over 2024 I moved to be a Senior Progamme Manager for the Mental Health Inpatient Transformation Programme.

Previous to working at Oxford Health I managed many different teams and departments for corporate companies. I have moved across to the NHS because I want to make a difference in the work I do, and I believe being a governor will support this goal even more. I’m passionate about empowering colleagues through clear communication, and I will support this as much as I can as a governor.

Being a governor will help me openly talk about the work that is happening behind the scenes to more stakeholders within our community. I am passionate that any project or innovation that is taking place, patients should always be at the heart of any decisions made, and as a governor I will support this key priority.

As a full-time working mum of two, I know the challenges faced around work/life balance and will endeavour that health and wellbeing for staff is integrated into future strategies that the Trust creates.

I became lead governor from January 2025.

It is a great honour and privilege to represent you all on the Council of Governors. My main focus is on the culture of the organisation, to uphold its values and to bring the NHS People Promise to the fore of what we do.

I firmly believe in clear, constructive communication, staff voices are important in shaping the Trust. I am committed to actively engaging and listening to all staff and ensuring that your views and ideas are heard.

Championing quality and improvement of both the patient and staff experience, I am competent in objectively reviewing and challenging information and decisions to implement meaningful change at multiple levels.

I consider myself caring and open-minded as well as a motivated, organised and solution driven individual which I consider vital for this role.

Paul has lived in Oxfordshire for 30 years (in Chipping Norton, Oxford City, and now Bicester), is a registered social worker – having started his career with the County Council working in Banbury – and has held senior management positions in the charity sector for over a decade.

His route into leadership was in roles responsible for the provision of high-quality regulated health and social care services alongside influencing and campaigning work.

He has been a panel member for eight serious case reviews examining inter-agency safeguarding practice and contributed to notable Charity Commission endorsed developments inc. Charity Governance Code and Whistleblowing Standards.

Paul has a particular interest in the power of federated charities (with a national brand and local service delivery), harnessing the added value and dimension of volunteers alongside staff, and collaborating with other organisations for the common good. Paul is an active supporter of Oxford United and a volunteer listener with the Samaritans helpline.

 Chief executive of Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire Mind. He has worked in the charity sector for over 25 years and volunteered for even longer. Prior to joining Bucks Mind, Joel led a national heart disease charity and a charity that supports people with obsessive compulsive disorder. He has been a trustee of a number of physical and mental health charities and volunteers as a third sector advisor providing specialist support to help small charities do more for the people they care about. Joel’s passion is bringing communities together to develop and deliver support that makes a real and lasting difference.

Dr Carolyn Mason is an HCPC registered Physiotherapist and is the Head of the Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work at Oxford Brookes University.

The Department comprises of a group of disciplines centred on educating and developing Nutrition, Sport and Coaching Sciences, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Social Work programmes across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Oxford Brookes University. The department brings together disciplines related to physical activity, health and social work to form a research led academic community focused on physical and mental wellbeing and as such has many collaborations with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust through both research and student related work streams.

Being a Governor with Oxford Health NHS Trust will provide Carolyn with an opportunity to build on the diverse partnership activity already established between Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Brookes University but specifically for Carolyn it provides an opportunity to support the collaborations involving Allied Health, Social Work and Physical Activity and Health related disciplines.

With particular interests in inclusion and belonging and as the strategic lead for Service User and Caregiver Engagement in the Oxford Brookes Faculty of Health and Life Science, Carolyn is keen to explore contributions that she can make within the patient and carer and staff experience Council of Governor’s subgroups.

A post-doctoral scientist, livestock farmer and business owner, Graham has lived and brought up his family in West Oxfordshire over more than 35 years. He is Lead Governor of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and OUH publicly-elected Governor for West Oxfordshire. Previously Chairman of the Nuffield Practice PPG in Witney, Graham led the Public and Patient Partnership for West Oxfordshire under the auspices of the OCCG.

Graham is Founder and Chairman of Oxford PharmaGenesis, a 24-year-old independent communications consultancy, which is twice winner of the Queen’s Award for Exports and employs over 500 people.

Graham is Chairman of Northmoor Parish Council and is proud to have received the High Sheriff’s Award for Community Service.