BRADFORD District Care Trust is appealing for volunteers who can fill an "extremely important" role and help make a difference to people detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act.

The Trust wants to recruit five new associate hospital managers to help support the mental health care it provides at Lynfield Mount Hospital in Bradford, and at the Airedale Centre for Mental Health in Steeton, near Keighley.

Michael Smith (pictured), chairman at the Trust, said: "This role is an extremely important one. The job title can be misleading, as people won’t actually manage the Trust, but they do have the power to challenge health professionals and discharge clients who no longer meet the criteria to be detained."

Associate hospital managers are independent and their role involves reading reports, attending review panels, listening to patients, carers, solicitors and health professionals.