Caring for Carers

Chief Executive Officer for Sefton Carers Centre, Vicky Keeley joined Mersey Care’s Council of Governors eight years ago. As well as her professional roles, Vicky is a family carer and looks after two rescue horses and a rescue dog.

“I have worked in voluntary organisations for more than 20 years to support local communities around health and social care issues. Making sure carers’ voices are heard at a strategic level is my biggest achievement as a governor.

The public and voluntary sectors need to work closely together.

One of Mersey Care’s most significant successes is the strategy and support for carers that they’ve put in place. The Trust has come a long way in recognising the needs of carers and the huge importance of their role - I am a carer myself and I know a ‘whole family’ approach is essential. Unless you support both patient and the carer, things can fall apart.

As a CEO, I am held to account by my own board of trustees. My experience on both sides of the table makes it clear to me how important it is to have a supportive board with people that are open and feel able to challenge.

When you’re focused on getting a job done, you can become blinkered. If someone who is invested, but is not as closely involved, examines your work and raises questions, it opens your eyes wider. I think Mersey Care’s board is robust and open to that challenge. When you get answers, then you get change.”

The Annual General Meeting is a great opportunity for you to find out more about our Trust, including our achievements and challenges, as well as our Annual Report and Accounts from last year. If you would like to join us on Thursday, 18 September 2025, please register your attendance by emailing AGM2025@merseycare.nhs.uk.

Visit merseycare.nhs.uk/mcft-agm to check times.

Find out more about our membership and governors at: merseycare.nhs.uk/aboutus/council-governors