Sheffield Local Involvement Network

Become a member

You can become a member and we'll keep you up to date with our news and campaigns. If you want to share your views on particular subjects we'd love to hear them. You might even want to be involved in an Action Group if there's a specific issue that's close to your heart.

Anyone who lives in Sheffield, or who uses Sheffield's health or social care services, can become a member. We're particularly keen to hear from you if you feel your needs and views are often overlooked.

It's completely free to join and you can be involved as much or as little as you wish.

Just complete our short membership form. It will only take just 3 minutes and we'll send you a welcome pack within 10 days.

If you would like more information before deciding whether to join, please complete the interest form and we'll send you a membership pack. You can have this by post or email.

Become an authorised representative

Our authorised representatives are trained to visit service providers on behalf of Sheffield LINk.  They:

• See at first hand the services provided in Sheffield
• Look for examples of good practice
• Check whether the needs and preferences of the community are being met
• Make recommendations for improvement
• Identify gaps in services provided to the people of Sheffield.

If you would like to become an authorised representative please complete our interest form and we'll get in touch with you about what this entails. Please note that you will need to be a member to become an authorised representative.

Be an observer and representative of Sheffield LINk

 Can you represent the views of fellow Sheffielders on health and social care issues? If so we are looking for people to observe public meetings at NHS Trusts and Sheffield City Council, most of which take place quarterly. If you would enjoy this role you will need to read papers in advance of the meetings you attend and report back for the LINk. Click here to see examples of these short reports It would only take up a few hours of your time and would ensure we stay up to date with what's happening.

 We are looking for people to attend meetings (as LINk representative or deputy representative) and report back from the following organisations:

NHS Sheffield 

• Clinical Audit Patient Panel (back-up)

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Patients Environment Group (back-up)
• Patient Experience Group (back-up)
• STH Governor's Board (back-up)

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

• Patient and Carer Advisory Group (full rep and back up)
• Diversity Involvement Committee (back up)
• Hospital Clinical Ethics Group (back up)
• Foundation Trust Board Meetings (back up)
• Patient Environment Action Team (back-up)

• Recovery Assessment Project (full rep and back up) - under review (please contact us)
• Patient Experience Group (full rep and back-up) - under review (please contact us)

 Sheffield City Council and Sheffield First Partnership

• Mental Health Partnership Board (one vacancy)
• Partners for Inclusion Board (back up)
• 0 – 19+  Partnership Board. (back up)
• Children and Young People Scrutiny and Development Board (back up)
• Expert Elders (back up)
• Sheffield Health Compact
• Regional Patient Safety Committee (back up)

Other Partnerships and Groups

• Podiatry Support Forum (full rep and back up)
• Sheffield Cancer Care Group (back up)
• Norfolk Park Diabetic Group (back up)
• Sheffield Coronary Society (back up)
• North Trent network for cardiac Care Users (back up)
• Dignity in Care Initiative (back up)

We are also actively encouraging LINk members to attend Sheffield Community Assembly meetings to signpost local decision makers to local health and social care issues. There are Assemblies for North, North East, East, Central, South, South East and South West areas of the City.

Whatever area interests you, I am sure we can find you a role. We have many other LINk members acting as representatives. So don’t worry if you haven’t done this sort of thing before as there will be training and support for new volunteers in these roles. If you can help us with this vital piece of work, please contact us.

Join the Older People's Service Readers Group

The Older People's Service at Sheffield City Council (SCC) is looking for older people and carers to join a Readers Group looking at the ways SCC communicates with service users and suggesting improvements.

This friendly and informal group meets every six weeks to look at examples of leaflets, web pages and mailings and asks for comments on wording, design and appearance. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Alex Hudson or Rachel Taylor on 0114 273 4119 and ask about the Readers Group.