An Allerdale man has been appointed as deputy lead governor for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

William Miskelly is currently a Public Governor for Allerdale after being appointed in March 2020, as the Covid pandemic began.

William will work with lead governor Carole Woodman to help shape the future of the Trust and the services it runs.

Mr Miskelly said: "As a governor I have been on the External Audit Special Interest Group, I was elected chair of the Governors’ Advisory Committee (GAC) in August 2021, I am proud to be part of the Learning Disability and Autism Special Interest Group, I sit on the Membership and Engagement Committee and also the Nomination’s Committee.

"I’ve undertaken the patient and citizen leadership programme with the NHS North East and Yorkshire leadership academy, I have managed to connect with governors, staff and stakeholders all over the country."

William is passionate to encourage inclusion in all forms in every aspect of life and has recently joined some of the Trust’s staff networks including the cultural diversity staff network.

He says that Equality and Diversity are very important and says that he himself had to face barriers after growing up in care. William was also born with two club feet, which he has had operations for and has to do physiotherapy to improve the condition. He said: "As a kid when you are growing up if you are different it makes you think you have to do everything better."

William also volunteers as a meet and greet volunteer at the trust and hopes that more people from a wide range of backgrounds will begin to have their say on health services.

By getting more people involved he hopes they will get the chance to have their voices heard. He added: "As a member, you can do as much or as little as you want, but you are just part of something bigger with lots of opportunities. If we all speak, we will be heard and we can help shape our healthcare system for the future."

To become a member you must be 14 and over and can do so by visiting the following link: https://secure.membra.co.uk/CumbriaApplicationForm/.