Supporting NAViGO members and their views
Why would you like to be a community representative?
"I want to represent NAViGO members' views and ideas. I hope to increase the number of NAViGO community members and make members of the public more aware of NAViGO.
"I hope that I will be able to continue with the work that I have been involved with, like the Horticultural Steering Group. This was formed following a paper that I presented to the NAViGO Board. It brings together all the sites and how they can be used by members.
"The activities shed is based at the Grimsby Garden Centre and can be used by members for a variety of activities. I was asked to help with the vegetable plot at Harrison House. The idea is to support service users on the lodges. I am also giving help and advice on the new Early Intervention in Psychosis allotment.
"I work with members at the Grimsby Garden Centre nursery. I volunteer one morning a week. This enables me to interact with members. I am planning our second visit to the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Harrogate. I am a member of North East Lincs Mental Health Working Group. This is focused on looking at ways to improve mental health in the community."
Tell us about you and your experience.
"I was born and bred in Grimsby, attending local schools. I am a family man, married with two children. I taught for 32 years in N.E Lincs in schools, specialising in special educational needs.
"Following being diagnosed with clinical depression, I was referred to Tukes. Thanks in large part to Tukes, I have made a steady recovery, but have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
"I have been a member of NAViGO for 16years. I owe my recovery to Tukes, a part of NAViGO, and wish to give something back to NAViGO by giving my time.
"My horticulture interest was nurtured at Tukes, especially by Joan Donald, and I began the slow road to better health. I increased my gardening knowledge by attending several courses at Grimsby College, gaining City and Guilds and Royal Horticultural Society awards.
"I have taken a lead role in organising reps: meeting, setting up notice boards, visiting all sites and talking to members . I believe that I have been an active and diligent NAViGO members rep, visiting most of the sites, and wish to continue to support NAViGO and its members in the best way that I can.
"I wish to spread the message of mental health by giving talks to local groups and putting together information stands that can go to appropriate local activities.
"I wish to encourage more people to volunteer in using “spread the message" activities. I hope to set up horticultural therapy projects. Some doctors are prescribing horticultural therapy as an alternative to medication."
How do you intend to engage with the membership to ensure their voices are heard?
"I regularly attend Your Voice meetings, allowing me to listen to members' views and ask for their views. I also encourage members to attend the Your Voice meetings.
"I will try to visit all the NAViGO sites and talk to members and gather their views and ideas. I will put members views and ideas to the NAViGO Board. I am not frightened to ask awkward questions.
"I hope to increase the use of IT to interact with members, but also improve the use of posters and noticeboards. Some sites need updating to allow this."