1. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services The LINk Explained What is a LINk? What can it do? How does it work? and How to get involved? © 2009, Leicestershire LINk

2. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Imagine Leicestershire as a better place to live Together we can make it happen

3. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services What is a LINk? Local people working together to improve social care and health services Everyone can have their say The LINk will listen to what you are interested in

4. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Partnership Working The LINk helps with communication between the service user and the service. User feedback can help change and improve service provision. Working together will improve standards of health and social care service provision. Service Provider LINk Service User

5. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services The LINk Can LINks give power to the people to improve Health and Social Care Services Ask local people what they think of local health and social care Give people an opportunity to suggest ways to health & social care professionals that may help to improve services Look into specific issues of concern to the community Meet with senior managers to discuss issues

6. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services LINk’s Legal Powers Guarantee a response from health and social care providers Investigate and request information from service providers Make recommendations based on the results Enter and view health and social care services Refer outstanding problems to the Local Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee

7. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Service Accountability Health and social care services are accountable to you If something is wrong or If a service is not available you have a right to ask why The LINk can listen to your questions and get answers

8. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Areas that we are working on Carers Issues Parkinson’s disease Neurological Conditions Mental Health Personalisation Dementia

9. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Know about it, Get involved LINks have been set up in every Local Authority area of England LINKs have a legal status Things happen when we work together Join your friends and neighbours in the LINk to improve services around you YOU can make it happen YOUR involvement can make the difference

10. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Can anyone be a part of this? The LINk needs you, your friends and neighbours to get involved The more everyone puts in, the more we’ll get out of it This is YOUR LINk, make it work for you! © 2009, Leicestershire LINk

11. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Its up to you, how and when Get involved in the way you want –You may only want to phone us when you feel something is wrong –Give us regular information –Just keep up to date with what’s happening Join others with the same concerns or medical conditions –Meet online or in groups © 2009, Leicestershire LINk

12. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services Its up to you, how and when You can also: Attend meetings that interest you, where you can have your say Seek election to the LINk Board Bring up issues that you would others to be aware of Help form a task group around an important issue Expenses can be claimed to enable you to take part © 2009, Leicestershire LINk

13. L ocal I nvolvement N etwor k Improve your Health and Social Care Services © 2009, Leicestershire LINk Lets Do It! For further information contact: Leicestershire LINk Beaumont Enterprise Centre Boston Road Leicester LE4 1HB Tel: 0116 2293103 Email: info@leicestershirelink.org.uk