In 2009 Resources for Change were contracted by the Community Development Foundation to find out whether the LINk model could successfully be extended to other fields of operation other than health and social care, by evaluating the experiences of four pilot projects.

Local Involvement Networks (LINks) were introduced across the country from April 2008 to give local communities a stronger voice in how their health and social services are delivered, and the Department of Communities and Local Government was testing whether the LINk model of engagement is effective in allowing local communities to influence a wider range of services, such as housing, youth worklessness, transport and community wellbeing.

R4C produced a well evidenced first year progress report and set up a highly effective information gathering process, developing positive relationships with the four extended LINk pilots. However unfortunately the pilot programme was brought to a close in August 2010, as part of broader Government budget-cutting steps.

For more information about this project please contact Irene Evison.