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What is the Wokingham LINk?

The Wokingham Local Involvement Network (LINk) is a network of local people and groups in Wokingham who have an interest in health services and social care, and want to share their views, opinions and suggestions with the people that run the services. A LINk's role is to:

  • LISTEN to what local people want
  • INVESTIGATE issues of concern to the community
  • MONITOR local services
  • USE ITS POWERSto hold services to account and get results

Sometimes the people who use services don't feel they have a strong enough voice to change aspects of their health or social care services. LINks help thecommunity have a stronger local voice.

Why should I join the Wokingham LINk?

If you want to find out about health and social care locally and have your say in decisions about these local services, then the Wokingham LINk is for you.

Individuals and organisations can all be participants of the Wokingham LINk. The more it becomes a "network of networks", the more strength it will have in the Wokingham community and the stronger its voice will become on your behalf.

You can join the Wokingham LINk by registering on this website, or you can email us at BerkshireLINk@makesachange.org.uk and we'll sign you up. You will then receive a welcome pack, our quarterly newsletter and a fortnightly e-bulletin to keep you informed about events, news and what the LINk is working on. YOU can participate as much or as little as you like.

Good or Bad - You tell us Register on this website by clicking here:

What powers does the Wokingham LINk have?

A LINk has powers in law to:

  • ask for information and get an answer in a specified amount of time
  • be able to carry out spot-checks to see if services are working well
  • make reports and recommendationsand receive a response
  • refer issues to the local 'Overview and Scrutiny Committee

You Have the Power

Who is the Wokingham LINk accountable to?

First and foremost - the people of the Wokingham! It's the job of the LINk to represent the patient voice and the views of the people living in Wokingham

The LINk is independent of:

  • Central Government
  • local government
  • NHS

The LINk's funding is channeled through an independent charity called Help & Care. This is known as the 'host organisation'.

As LINks are publicly funded they also need to report annually to the Secretary of State. Local people and groups need to have confidence that the LINk understands local health and social care needs and have developed a credible work programme based on local priorities. The LINk aims to be open and honest and work in ways that are free from bias.

The Wokingham residents are represented by a publicly elected Steering Group comprised of 14 individual participants. The Steering Group is accountable to the wider LINk and the LINk is accountable to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Wokingham Borough Council To find more about the Steering Group and when their next public meeting is, please click here