Members' Area
You can find more information about becoming a member, and claiming expenses, at the following links.
Download a Northumberland LINk Expenses Form.
If you represent Northumberland LINk on an external body please use the following form to let other LINk members know what is coming up and if they can help with any background to current issues:
Northumberland LINk Annual Report
To view the Northumberland LINk Annual Report CLICK HERE
Northumberland LINk election of Chairperson
The process to elect a Chairperson for the Northumberland LINk is now complete. Our chair is Cynthia Atkin, whose election address is below:
I have been privileged to have worked in the both the statutory sector and the voluntary sector for thirty years now. First for Northumberland Care Trust in Social Work, then was given the opportunity of being the first Regional Officer for RADAR in the North of England Region (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation is a national disability organisation). My duties in this role were to represent people with disabilities at a national level and also to support local disability and umbrella groups in the North of England. I was involved in DOH opps for Vols grant applications to encourage groups to set up in the area and support them in being accountable and responsible with their chosen projects. I was also heavily involved in writing the Disability Discrimination Act and campaigning for this bill to go through parliament. This involved many public presentations and speaking to audiences at all levels. Many access groups and organisations are still in existence and operating extremely well. Other work involved the knowledge of legislation affecting disabled people both in health and social services. I have been Chair of the Berwick Disability Forum and of MS research and Relief Fund. I also worked with the Care Trust to set up the MS Forum which is now the long-term conditions forum for Northumberland.
I was then privileged to take up the first post as North of England and Yorkshire Regional Officer for the National MS Society. I supported and developed services for nine years working locally, regionally and nationally. Apart from my role in supporting local branches and developing services for people living with MS I set up the first Health and Social Care Partnership Forum – with the aim being to encourage professionals to work together, sharing knowledge and information, thus improving relations and services for people with Multiple Sclerosis. This was also an opportunity to invite along commissioners, and generally keeping MS issues high on the Agenda.
I also became involved in a local development trust, recognising the need to encourage local services and support for rural areas.
I was then invited to join the MS Research and Relief Fund as Funding and Partnership Manager. My agreement to join was to ensure that national and local MS charities worked together to improve services. Working with commissioners, physiotherapists, nurses, neurologists has and is a privilege. We are so fortunate to have committed staff in this region who give more than they need to. I am always keen to embrace this partnership culture for the benefits of service users.
I also have personal experience living with Multiple Sclerosis and having to cope with this fluctuating condition and individual disease. My am always willing to present on legislation, lead MS awareness/disability awareness training, and listen to the views of service users and pull together professionals to encourage a team working approach. I am also realistic in service provision and bureaucracy involved in planning services.
I would welcome the opportunity to take up the role as Chair of LINk and work closely with the host and members of LINk. I do have knowledge of the region and am well known throughout for my passed work with various organisations, NHS and commissioners. I would certainly encourage working together as a team and learning together to improve and further develop LINK.
My personal view of being a Chair
A Chair of any organisation can only be effective with the support and commitment from its fellow committee members. My years of working within organisations both statutory and voluntary have shown that to be effective you need to have experience in the following:
• Good Leadership skills
• Experience of committee work and the diversity of individuals
• Tact and diplomacy
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Fundamental ability to be impartial, fair and have the ability to respect confidences.
• To have a clear understanding of the work of the organisation, its structure and its key players and champions.
• A team player
• Being able to delegate
Representation can be such an under-rated term sometimes used loosely. I believe that a chair and other committee members have a duty to its members and its staff to represent the whole organisation and report back on any action points. This ensures that the member’s voice is heard with collective opinions, and that LINK is accountable to its members.
To also be transparent as an individual and a representative. Information and knowledge is for sharing. This will ensure that we strengthen the organisation and have a stronger voice.
For more details please contact
Newcastle Heritage Partnership
C/O Ben Smith
Historic Environment Section
Strategy Housing, Planning & Transportation
Regeneration
Newcastle City Council
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 0191 277 7194
info@northumberlandlink.org.uk
www.northumberlandlink.org.uk
