Sheffield Local Involvement Network
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How Sheffield LINk Works

Sheffield LINk is managed by an elected Governing Board made up of volunteer members. They decide the priority issues that Sheffield LINk should tackle. They also encourage many different communities and individuals to get involved with the LINk. A key role for the Board is to build good relationships with the people who commission and run local health and social care services. This means that the opinion of the LINk is valued and acted upon.

Two Standing Committees carry out many important responsibilities for Sheffield LINk:

  • Governance. This involves developing and maintaining the policies and procedures that enable Sheffield LINk to work effectively. Mike Smith chairs this Committee.
  • Partnerships. This committee is focused on building good relationships with key people in health and social care services. It also manages Sheffield LINk's Authorised Representatives - the members who visit and monitor facilities on behalf of the LINk. This Committee is chaired by Alan Carter.
There used to be a Communication Standing Committee which was disbanded when a lot of the communication infrastructure had been established. Minutes of the Governing Board meetings and notes of all Standing Committe meetings are available on our LINk documents page.

A small central Support Team provides day-to-day administration, membership support, communication, events and publicity.

Each LINk has been established through a local organisation called a host. The host for Sheffield LINk is Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS). The host is responsible for setting up and providing ongoing support to the LINk and also holds the budget. Through VAS, Sheffield LINk has good connections with local voluntary, community and faith groups. VAS also provides the infrastructure to support the LINk and ensures that it is run effectively.