What is LINks?

Waltham Forest LINks will be set up during 2008 to give our local community a stronger voice in how their health and social care services are delivered. Independent networks of local people and groups, LINks will find out what people want, investigate issues and use their powers to hold services to account. If you would like more information about national LINk organisations please visit the Department of Health LINks information page.

What will LINks do?

  • Encourage and support more people to get involved in shaping local care services; from helping to decide what services should be commissioned, to influencing the way they are run;
  • Actively canvass every section of the community for their views and experiences of local care services;
  • Provide the community with a mechanism for monitoring and reviewing local care services and the ability to hold them to account; and;
  • Tell those who commission, run and scrutinise local care services, what local people have recommended to help improve services.

How will LINks improve local services?

  • Health and social care services in Waltham Forest are very keen to find out the views of local people, to ensure we are providing the services that are efficient, effective and meet people’s needs. We need people to shape these services whether provided in hospital, the community or in peoples’ homes.
  • LINks will hold the Local Authority, the NHS and providers to account on the services provided.
  • Expected to ask every section of the community for their views and experiences, LINks will not only amplify the views of more groups and individuals in the community, they will also provide a platform to those who might not often have their voice heard.

Why should I get involved in LINks?

  • We want to hear the views of every section of the population, especially those who haven’t been involved in groups in the past. This is YOUR opportunity to make sure that we hear your views about health and social care in Waltham Forest.
  • Many people who receive health or social care would like to influence services but may not have the time to join groups or sit on committees. LINks will provide more ways for you to be heard by using the Internet, focus groups, events and other mechanisms to express your views. If you want to you will have the chance to get more involved
  • LINks are not run by any public or Government organization and will be truly independent. They will be hosted and supported by a community organisation (called a ‘Host’) with experience of engaging people.

Waltham Forest LINk host organisation

To make sure that Waltham Forest LINk remains independent a "host" organisation will support the LINk. The name of the host organisation will be known in early June. The Waltham Forest LINk Host will be an independent organisation.

For more information

Local Involvement Networks Links easy read (link to Department of Health web page)

The NHS Centre for Involvement LINks information

LINks Bulletins

The Department of Health produces monthly bulletins to keep you up to date with developments on LINks.

To view the bulletins please click here (link to Department of Health website).