Governance

Community Links (Northern) Ltd is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, no. 1657652. Charity Commission Registered No. 514779.

The organisation is overseen by a Board of Trustees.

Our parent organisation is Inspire North which has its own Board of Trustees – please see here for more details (external link).

Anne Worrall-Davies: Anne has a vast amount of operational and strategic experience from within the NHS at local, regional and national level and now works in various advisory roles in the Health and Social Care sector.

How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I was looking for an opportunity to use my clinical experience across a wider operational and strategic footprint. I had worked with the Community Links aspire service clinically, and been impressed by the person-centred, recovery-oriented model of work. So when I saw the trustee role advertised, I jumped at the chance to join Community Links!

What is the best thing about Community Links?
I have always been impressed by the enthusiasm of Community Links staff to deliver a person-centred service, and by how much everyone who works for the organization enjoys their work.

Tell us a little about your career...
I worked for 30 years in NHS mental health services, at local, regional and national level. I now hold a portfolio of varied and rewarding roles across the north of England including Clinical Lead for the West Yorkshire CAMHS New Care Model, Non-Executive Director with Future Directions CIC, Clinical Advisor to the Children & Young People’s Mental Health Improvement Team of the Yorkshire & Humber Clinical Network, Specialist Advisor for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and a Clinical Expert for Care and Treatment Reviews.

What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
Ensuring that service users and carers’ voices are heard, and their views and ideas incorporated into service from the planning stage and beyond. Working with teams to achieve regulatory standards. Young people’s mental health. Working to abolish inequalities of access and treatment in mental health services.

What inspires/motivates you?
As mum to a son with autism and a learning disability, I have experience of some fantastic services. But I know first-hand that when prejudices, bureaucracy and professional preciousness come first, instead of a person-centred approach, quality goes out of the window!

Tell us a little known fact about yourself
Lots of people know I love Italy and some know I have studied Italian at evening class. Most people don't know how I came to start learning a new language. I had postnatal depression after my second son was born, and my health visitor suggested that I found myself some ‘me-time’ - an early example of “social prescribing”. I'd always wanted to learn Italian, so I "cashed in my social prescription" at Leeds City College.... and 17 years later... I'm not fluent but I can joke in Italian and swear at drivers on the Italian motorways!
Jacqueline Hallam: One of the newest additions to our Board, Jacqueline has spent many years in HR retail in several different countries. As well as being involved with Community Links, she also has other voluntary roles and is a Chartered Member of CIPD.

How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I have been a school governor/chair of governors for many years and wanted to contribute in another sector. I have recently decided to work part time and this has released more time for me to make the commitment being a trustee would require. I have a particular interest in health & wellbeing and Community Links was a good fit for this.

What is the best thing about Community Links?
The organisation’s commitment to place their clients’ needs at the heart of everything they do.

Tell us a little about your career...
I worked for 36 years in a variety of HR generalist and specialist roles for Marks & Spencer plc across the UK as well as in Dublin and Warsaw. Following a short career break I decided to return to the world of work and am currently a HR Business Partner for the Co-op.

What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
I would say I am a highly skilled business leader used to working in fast paced, customer focussed environments. I am a strong decision maker, while being pragmatic and adaptable. I am particularly experienced in leading successful transformational change. I am a Chartered Member of CIPD and have a particular interest in workplace mediation and NLP.

What inspires/motivates you?
I need to able to in a position where I can operate with honesty and integrity which are my core values. I have high personal standards and value this in others expecting 100% commitment. I need to feel I am making a difference and adding value, I want to be able to “give back” as not everyone is as fortunate to have the same experiences & opportunities. I want to support those that need it most and don’t always feel they are being heard.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I am not a thrill seeker in the slightest but I do like to ride a jet ski and drive a power boat.