Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare is seeking public governors to help shape healthcare services.

The NHS foundation trust, which provides mental health, learning disability, children's and community services, has vacancies in Portsmouth, Southampton, and outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Public governors join the council of governors, serving as a crucial link between the public and the trust.

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They communicate feedback and concerns of local residents, supporting patients, their families and carers in shaping the trust's healthcare services.

Lynne Hunt, chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare, said: "Our public governors play such a vital role.

"They not only help us make strategic decisions about our services but, most importantly, they are the voice of the public and our patients.

"So, if you have a passion for healthcare and want to make a sizeable difference, I encourage you to become a public governor."

Adrian Thorne, the trust's lead governor, added: "Governors play a key role in making sure our patients’ and carers’ voices are heard; they are a critical friend to the trust.

"To be most effective, we need people with all sorts of backgrounds, interests and skills to join the council of governors."

Nominations for the governor elections are now open and will close on Thursday, November 21.

For more information, go to hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/governors.