Local Involvement Network (LINks)

LINk AGM

The next AGM of LINk will take place at the Dolphin Centre on 4th March 2010 starting at 5:30pm until 8:00pm. All are welcome and a light buffet and refreshments will be available.

New members are actively encouraged and if you want to have your say about health and social care in Darlington contact the LINk. You can become involved as a member and simply receive newsletters and updates on LINk activities or complete a questionnaire about local health and social care services.

A core group are elected at the the AGM and look at governance and the management of the LINk. There are also task groups which look at particular issues and concerns and try to work out solutions to resolve these issues. All members can join a task group if they have a particular interest in an issue or have experience or knowledge in an area.

MAKE IT HAPPEN – GET INVOLVED

For more information contact Diane or Andrea on 01325 380145


The government aims to strengthen the ability of communities to influence what health and social care services are provided and how they are run.

LINk will be made up of individuals and groups from across the community and will be funded and supported to hold local health and social care services to account.

LINk is:-

  • a local community-based network of individuals committed to strengthening and widening the influence of patients, carers, users of social care services and the public in the process of planning and improving health and social care services.
  • to be independently run and will agree a workplan of issues to research and report on.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee can also commission the LINk to do pieces of work on its behalf, supporting the workplan they have agreed..

To be effective a LINk needs a  wide range of participants and involvement that is inclusive, diverse and representative of all geographical areas in Darlington. LINk members will have a key role in the provision and commissioning of future services

LINk signs up participants in Darlington

Darlington LINk now has official participants following a workshop held by Carers Federation the host organisation. The event has also lead to the development of a Core Group of participants who will continue to develop the LINk over the next few months. It will be responsible for developing governance arrangements including codes of conduct; conflict of interest and arrangements for enter and view.

The Core Group will also be responsible for agreeing the workplan for the LINk and raising awareness about the role of LINk in influencing changes to health and care services. As part of this process the group received a presentation given by Louise Okello, Head of Planning, Partnerships and Development from Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Participation Pack [Word Document, 88.5kb]

Darlington LINk website [external link]

If you would like further information about Darlington LINk please contact:

Diane Lax - Team Leader
Darlington LINk, eVolution, Church Row, Darlington, DL1 5QD
Telephone 01325 380145
Mobile 07525237723
e:mail: d.lax@carersfederation.co.uk