Residents in Reading now have the opportunity to directly influence how local health services are run as the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has opened nominations for its Council of Governors. The Trust is seeking to fill two public governor seats specifically for the Reading area, giving local people a voice in the oversight of mental health and community health services.
To be eligible to stand for a position, candidates must be at least 16 years old and already a member of the Trust. Membership is free and open to anyone over the age of 12 living in Berkshire. Those interested in taking on the role can nominate themselves or someone else for the election.
Governors serve as representatives for their communities, with the responsibility of challenging the board of directors and holding them to account for the Trust’s performance. The Council of Governors consists of a mix of elected public governors, staff members, and representatives from local organisations.
The Trust, which received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission in 2020, operates across more than 100 sites, including Prospect Park Hospital on Honey End Lane in Reading. Nominations for the governor seats must be submitted by Wednesday 29 April 2026, and the election process will close on Wednesday 10 June 2026.
Further information regarding the membership process and the duties of a governor can be found on the Trust website. The role serves as a key link between the public and the leadership of the health services provided throughout the region.
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