Alexander Hill – Service User Governor, Suffolk

Term of office started 1 February 2025

I have been a service user with NSFT for more than 10 years. This included time in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich mental health hospitals. I have a long-standing diagnosis of schizophrenia (psychosis) and hypermania. I have had a few relapses along the way. This included absconding to Turkey and Greece. I first became unwell after a difficult relationship breakup at university and then getting stuck in Thailand ~ it is a very long story.

In the community I have lived with Home Group and now Suffolk Mind and studied counselling and psychotherapy. I have also studied public health and completed an apprenticeship in the mental health sector in 2018. I won a national award for my work. I have built up a rapport with the CQC and parliamentary ombudsman. I also volunteer on the wards once a fortnight in Woodlands, Ipswich. 

The opinions of service users and their families matter first, and I am active with Suffolk User Forum in my spare time. I also volunteer with Oxfam and the Samaritans.