Become a governor

Governors help us stay connected to the people and communities we serve across Torbay and South Devon.

This is a voluntary role, but it is an important one. Governors are part of how we are held to account for our leadership, direction and connection to local people.

You do not need NHS experience to become a governor. What matters most is your willingness to listen, ask questions and represent wider community views.

What governors do

Governors do not run the organisation day to day.

Instead, governors:

represent the interests of members and the public
hold our Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board
help ensure strong leadership by appointing the Chair and Non-Executive Directors
approve the appointment of the Chief Executive
appoint the external auditor
receive and consider the annual report and accounts
act as a critical friend — curious, constructive and independent

What the role is not

Being clear about the role upfront matters.

Governors do not:

manage services or make day-to-day decisions
deal with individual complaints or cases
act as individual decision-makers
act as Non-Executive Directors
represent a single issue or personal agenda

Being clear about these boundaries helps governors get the most out of the role and helps members and the public understand what governors can and cannot do.

Is this role right for you?

Who can stand?

To stand as a public governor, you must:

be a member of the Trust
be aged 16 or over at the time of nomination
live in the constituency you wish to represent
meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Trust Constitution

Staff governors must be members of the staff constituency they wish to represent.

There are some circumstances where someone cannot become or continue as a governor. These are set out in the Trust Constitution and include some legal, financial, employment, conduct and conflict of interest matters.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact the Foundation Trust Office. We are happy to talk this through in confidence.

Read the Trust Constitution

Time commitment

As a minimum, governors are expected to attend:

four Council of Governors meetings each year
the Annual Members’ Meeting

Many governors also choose to:

join working groups or committees
attend additional briefings and events
take part in training and development
attend opportunities to hear from members, staff and communities

You should expect a small number of meetings each quarter, plus reading time beforehand.

Governors are usually elected for a term of up to three years. Governors may serve consecutive terms, up to the maximum period set out in the Trust Constitution.

Support we provide

We want governors to feel confident and supported in their role.

Governors receive:

a structured induction programme
ongoing training and development
clear briefings and information
support from the Foundation Trust Office
an NHS email account
reimbursement of reasonable expenses
free car parking when undertaking governor duties

You are not expected to know everything at the start. We will support you to build your understanding and confidence over time.

How elections work

Governor elections are run independently on behalf of the Trust.

When nominations are open, eligible members can complete a nomination form and provide a short candidate statement. If there are more candidates than vacancies, members vote to choose who will represent them.

Election information is published on our website when nominations open.

Candidate statements

If you stand for election, you will be asked to write a short candidate statement. This is what members read when deciding who to vote for.

You may find it helpful to include:

why you want to be a governor
your connection to the Trust or local community
any relevant experience or perspective
how you would listen to and represent others

Your statement does not need to be formal. What matters most is that it clearly explains who you are, why you want the role and how you would represent your community.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need NHS experience?

No. You do not need any specific qualifications or NHS experience.

What matters most is that you are interested in your local NHS, willing to listen, prepared to ask questions and able to represent wider views.

Will I be paid?

No. The governor role is voluntary.

You can claim reasonable expenses when carrying out governor duties.

Can governors deal with complaints?

No. Governors do not deal with individual complaints or personal cases.

If someone raises a concern with a governor, the governor can help signpost them to the right team.

Can governors change services?

Governors do not make operational decisions about services.

They can ask questions, share feedback from members and communities, and help ensure the Board is taking account of wider views when developing plans.

How will I stay informed?

Governors receive regular information through briefings, meeting papers, updates and training. Governors are also supported by the Foundation Trust Office.

Will my personal information be public?

Your name and constituency or staff group will be published on our website.

Your personal contact details, such as your home address or personal phone number, will not be shared publicly. Contact with governors is managed through the Foundation Trust Office and Trust email accounts.

Interested?

If you are interested in becoming a governor, the first step is to become a member of the Trust.

You can also contact the Foundation Trust Office if you would like to talk about the role.

Phone: 01803 655406
Email: Foundation Trust Office