Despite her relatively young age, Rekha is no stranger to the role. She first became a non-executive director when she was 27 but due to personal commitments left last August.
" I want to work with the trust's human resources team to find out what young people want and how we can get them working for and with us."
She returned in May with a clear set of objectives for the coming year - to become the voice for younger people in the area.
"I enjoyed being a non-executive director and didn't want to leave in the first place. Now I'm back it doesn't feel like I have been away at all,"
said Rekha.
"Non-executive directors bring a very grounded and unbiased view of the health service to trusts. Directors appreciate this different viewpoint and it is a key positive that non-executives can use to influence change.
"Having service user experience gives me a unique perspective which compliments my strategic role. This combination is very difficult to find."
She said: "What drives me is that something quite simple can make a big difference. Non-executives bring realism into the service and can give management reality checks by coming from a user perspective to enable strategic aims to mirror what service users want . In health this is needed and can benefit many people."
Rekha has strong links within the local community. She has worked for the Leicester Racial Equality Council for the past two years where she promotes sport and healthy living among black and minority ethnic women and girls.
She is also studying towards a PhD in the promotion of walking for health in South Asian communities, looking particularly at coronary heart disease.
"When I first joined the PCT it was a new organisation. It has been very rewarding to be involved in and watch it grow. Now there is more clarity about the role of PCTs in general and this time round I have a clearer set of objectives for myself."
Rekha added: "Over the next year my main focus will be on younger people in the community. Firstly, to get them on board with important health issues, and secondly, there are a lot of young people who qualify in health subjects and then leave Leicester. I am keen to help the PCT find out why and help turn this around through my knowledge of the community. I want to work with the trust's human resources team to find out what young people want and how we can get them working for and with us.
"It is also important for me that the trust gets more involved with voluntary organisations and foster more joined up working with them."
Tell us about your experiences as a chair or non-executive. E-mail:
