What do we do?
Gathering views
LINk’s primary function is to gather the views of Gloucestershire’s residents on their experiences of health and social care. These views are then passed on to the Commissioners and Providers of those services in the form of a quarterly comments sheet which is also shared with the Care Quality Commission. If the LINk notices a trend in a certain issue, it can set up a task group to look at the issue and produce a report, which goes to the commissioners and providers of the service. These reports must have a response within 20 working days
How we gather views
· LINk Public Events
Each year LINk hold public events in all six districts of Gloucestershire in order to build a representative picture of current health and social care service provision
· Shopping Arcades
In order to widen participation and engage with different target markets, LINk periodically has stands in shopping arcades in the county.
· Stands at partner events
The LINk has stands at numerous partner events during the year, for example LINk has stands at all 6 locations during Carers Week in June
· Talks
The Gloucestershire LINk delivers talks to community groups on request.
· Other engagement activity
LINk also attends other activities as the opportunities arise, this may include engagement with seldom heard groups such as young people and Gloucestershire’s BME community
· LINk website
Comments are also gathered via the LINk website