These are a great opportunity to share and embed best practice across all LINks in the run up to local Healthwatch. They are ideal for LINks members who wish to gain more confidence and enhance their skills, as well as those who are new to LINks and want to make a difference to local health and social care services, improve local patient experiences and outcomes, give a voice to those who are seldom heard and hold commissioners and providers to account.

The three-hour events will focus on how people can develop their skills as leaders, carry out enter and view visits, represent the views of local people, engage with diverse local communities and influence decision makers. They are free to attend, travel expenses will be paid and lunch will be provided.

The events will be delivered in partnership by Disability Rights UK [http://www.disabilityalliance.org/disabilityrightsuk.htm], NAVCA [http://www.navca.org.uk], the Race Equality Foundation [http://www.raceequalityfoundation.org.uk/] and Regional Voices [http://www.regionalvoices.net/].

As places are limited to 2 per LINk, we ask that bookings are agreed in advance through LINks Chairs. People can sign up now to attend the first of a series of events, which will explore the role of leadership in the context of LINks, help you reflect upon your own leadership challenges, identify solutions and enhance your leadership skills and confidence.

The sessions will be delivered in 14 locations across the country.  Dates and locations for these along with how to book will be available on this web page from 1st February 2012.

If you would like to attend a meeting follow the relevant booking link below. Alternatively, contact Regional Voices  or telephone 0113 394 2322:

East of England (organised by COVER)
Thursday 20th October 2011, 10.30-12.30,  St Ives (Cambridgeshire)
Telephone: 01223 861760
Book a place

East Midlands (organised by One East Midlands)
Monday 10th October 2011, 2.00-4.00, Derby
Telephone: 0115 934 8471
Book a place

London (organised by LVSC)
Wednesday 19th October 2011, 10.30-12.30
Telephone: 020 7832 5830
Book a place

North East (organised by VONNE)
Thursday 20th October 2011, 9.30-4pm, Sunderland
Telephone: 0191 233 2000
Book a place

North West (organised by Voluntary Sector North West)
Tuesday 18th October 2011, 10.30-12.30, Manchester
Telephone: 0161 276 9300
Booking coming soon

South East (organised by RAISE)
Friday 21st October 2011, 10.00-12.00, Guildford
Telephone: 01483 608344
Book a place

South West (organised by South West Forum)
Wendesday 19th October 2011, 2.00-4.00, Exeter
Telephone: 01392 247901
Book a place

West Midlands (organised by RAWM)
Friday 21st October 2011, 10.30-1.00, Birmingham
Telephone: 0121 237 5813
Book a place

Yorkshire &  Humber (organised by Involve Yorkshire & Humber)
Thursday 13th October, 10.30-12.30, Leeds
Telephone: 0113 394 2300
Book a place

As you might be aware, the Government has asked the NHS Future Forum to continue its work and provide independent advice to further inform ongoing proposals to modernise the NHS.  The Regional Voices events will help to enable patient, service user and carer groups and wider voluntary and community sector leaders, including Local Involvement Networks, to have their say.

There will be one event in each of the nine English regions.

Click here for event details and book a place.

Dates and Locations

If you would like to attend one of these meetings, please follow the instructions below- a booking form is attached.  The relevant regional network will contact you to confirm attendance and send any specific joining instructions. 

Event Overview

NHS Future Forum members will attend each meeting in order to listen to participants’ views around the developing Health and Social Care Bill. Particularly around “Choice and Competition” and “Accountability and Patients”. 

Each meeting will be attended by approximately 25-35 voluntary sector leaders, particularly those working with patients, service users and carers from throughout each region. In order to gather as many voices as possible from across the sector, we request that all attendees liaise with their members and networks prior to the meeting to obtain views and feedback on the questions raised. 

Who are the events for?

These events are aimed primarily at the voluntary and community sector with an interest in any aspect of public health and health inequalities eg lifestyles, early years, environment, mental wellbeing, education and skills and healthy aging. 

We anticipate that demand for places will be high so we reserve the right to restrict the numbers of delegates attending from any single organisation.

If you are not able to participate in these events, find out how you can get involved in the wider listening exercise: http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/category/conversations/listening-exercise-conversations/

 For further details contact the relevant regional organisation- see table above or Jo Whaley on 07769168388 or jo.whaley@regionalvoices.org

The events will give you the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes in the White Paper as well as attending workshops to discuss issues in depth.

Dates

Event Overview

These events will help voluntary and community sector, service user, carer and patient organisations understand how the White Paper will impact on their work and the opportunities it presents.  They will:

• Be the first stage in engaging with the voluntary and community sector in relation to public health
• Raise awareness of the changes proposed in the White Paper and help you to develop an informed response to the consultations
• Inform delegates about how the public health landscape is changing locally, in the region and across England
• Identify some of the cross cutting issues of particular relevance to the voluntary and community sector
• Be an opportunity to promote the role of the voluntary and community sector in the new public health landscape

The events are being hosted by Regional Voices with the London event being jointly hosted with Faith Action.  All events are being held in partnership with the Department of Health and other local partners where appropriate.

Who are the events for?

• These events are aimed primarily at the voluntary and community sector with an interest in any aspect of public health and health inequalities eg lifestyles, early years, environment, mental wellbeing, education and skills, healthy aging
• Delegates from local authorities and NHS organisations are welcome to attend but places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
• We anticipate that demand for places will be high so we reserve the right to restrict the numbers of delegates attending from any single organisation.

How to book

Click on the regional event you wish to attend in the table above to download the specific publicity for that event and a booking form.  (Booking forms for the London, South East and West Midlands events will be available shortly.

For further details contact Emma Easton:

T: 0113 394 2304        E: emma.easton@regionalvoices.org