Listening to, understanding and acting upon the opinions of the public will help local health and social care providers to deliver the best care.
Getting involved in LINks is easy. Use the service directory to find your local LINk, or contact the social services department of your local council to find out what's happening in your area.
Anyone can join a LINk, from carers and those who use services to patient representatives and community leaders. Everyone is welcome, and everyone’s opinions matter.
LINks are also open to groups, including charities, faith groups, residents’ associations, user-led organisations, youth councils, black and minority ethnic organisations and business federations.
Any group that wants to see health and social care services reflect the needs and wishes of local people can get involved.
Ways to get involved
It’s up to you how and when you interact with your LINk. There are different ways to communicate your thoughts about the issues that matter to you. For example, you could:
- take a few minutes to answer a survey,
- attend an occasional meeting on an issue that interests you,
- get involved in an online group, or
- become an authorised representative who visits services to see how they are run and what people think of them.
Any of these activities will allow you to:
- suggest ideas for improving services, such as extending opening hours at a health centre during the week to suit people who work,
- monitor local service providers, or
- look into specific issues of concern.
Your LINk will be able to provide information about how to get involved in any of its activities.
However you participate with your LINk, your opinions and ideas will be listened to and taken seriously at all times.
