Overview
As a Foundation Trust, we’re free from any direct government control and are accountable directly to you, the local people of Berkshire.
We need your help to shape our future and make sure that we’re providing the services and support you need locally. You can do this by becoming a member or governor.
Become a member
Our membership is made up of patients and former patients, their families and carers, and all local people across Berkshire with an interest in healthcare services.
It's up to you how much or how little you'd like to be involved. You can:
- receive our email newsletter each quarter with latest updates about our services in your area
- vote in elections for public governors
- stand as a public governor for your town
- attend focus groups and workshops to help us improve the services we provide
- receive invites to local health events
- benefit from NHS discounts at a variety of stores
Our membership is free and open to anyone over the age of 12.
Send your request online
To become a member, please complete our sign up form.
If you have any questions about signing up to become a member, please email our Marketing and Communications team.
Marketing and Communications team
Email: members@berkshire.nhs.uk
Become a governor
Our Council of Governors is made up of elected and appointed individuals:
- the Chair of our Board of Directors
- 2 clinical staff governors
- 2 non-clinical staff governors
- 19 locally elected public governors
- 13 representative governors from local organisations, such as schools, universities, local authorities, and the charity sector
They represent your interests and make sure that we’re acting in ways that are beneficial to our patients, the local community, and our staff. They do this by holding our non-executive board members to account for the general performance of the board.
Read our leaflet about becoming a governor
File size: 3.67MB
Contact us
We hold local elections for governors every three years. To become a governor, you need to be 16 or older and already a member of our Trust.
You can then nominate yourself or someone else to become a governor.
Contact Julie Hill to find out more.
Membership Health Talks
Our Members’ Health Talks is a new series we launched in 2025. Taking place quarterly on Microsoft Teams, the events provide practical advice, expert insights, and the opportunity to engage directly with our specialist teams.
Each session focuses on a different area of health and wellbeing given by our services, covering topics that matter the most to our members and the communities we serve.
Alongside expert talks, members can take part in a live discussion and Q&A, giving you the chance to get your questions answered in real time.
If you’d like to join our next Health Talk, please sign up as a member to receive a personal invite.
Stoptober quit smoking advice
Helen Phillips, our Drug, Alcohol and Smokefree Lead gave an interactive presentation on Stoptober, covering:
- harmful effects of smoking
- evidence-based advice on how to quit
- wide-ranging health benefits of giving up smoking
- the local services and resources available to support your journey
Heart health
Friday 13 February, 12pm to 1pm.
We’re delighted to continue our Membership Health Talk series with our second webinar from our Heart Function Service.
February is Heart Month! Our Heart Function Team will discuss how you can adjust your lifestyle and tips for a healthy heart.
In this session, our Heart Function Team Lead will:
- signs and symptoms of heart failure and how you can manage them safely
- share advice on how to improve your heart health
- provide more information on our Heart Function Service
- answer your questions during the live Q&A