Green background graphic with string lights along the top. Curved text reads 'UOK East Sussex turns one!' Below are the Southdown logo on the left and the pink UOK East Sussex logo on the right.

Stronger together: Reflections on our first year of leading the UOK East Sussex partnership

Southdown’s vision for UOK has been to create a mental health system for our communities that is accessible and inclusive, holistic and preventative. We believe that collaboration is key, when the issues are so big, no one single agency or provider can address them alone. UOK East Sussex brought our successful Brighton and Hove UOK […]

A Recovery College staff member speaks with a visitor at the registration desk during a busy Open Day event, with people chatting and exploring course materials in a welcoming community hall setting.

Brighton & Hove Recovery College Open Day – Launching Summer Term

The Brighton & Hove Recovery College, run by Southdown as part of the UOK Brighton & Hove mental health partnership, is inviting local residents to its Open Day. It’s a great chance to explore how education can support recovery and personal wellbeing. The College offers free, short courses that are co-designed and co-delivered by people […]

Park Life podcast cover art featuring hand-drawn stick figures with whimsical and unique features, set against a black background. The title "Park Life" appears in bold yellow text at the top, with the tagline "A podcast from the Wellbeing Hub" at the bottom.

Introducing ‘Park Life’: A Creative Podcast by Southdown clients with Lived Experience of Mental Health Challenges 

We’re thrilled to share Park Life, a brand-new podcast series created by a group of individuals who use one of the Southdown’s local mental health services. These are produced by people who understand the power of creative expression in supporting wellbeing. This inspiring project is the result of months of collaboration and creativity, and most […]

Professionals attend an Autism Awareness Workshop at the Recovery College, seated in a classroom while a presenter discusses autistic experiences. A screen at the front displays the quote 'I am different, not less,' highlighting the session's focus on understanding and accepting neurodiversity.

Insights from the Recovery College Workshop Marking World Autism Acceptance Month

April marks World Autism Acceptance Month (WAAM) 2025, a time dedicated to promoting understanding and acceptance of autistic individuals. Earlier this month, Southdown-run Brighton & Hove Recovery College held an insightful and thought-provoking workshop to deepen awareness of autism. The workshop, led by Eden Brookes, our Recovery College Peer Tutor with lived experience of autism, […]

Two people seated at a table during a client involvement session, using visual cards with phrases like “My Room / Flat,” “My Stuff,” and “Home and Belongings” to support communication and explore topics related to quality of life for the redesigned MyPlan.

Clients Help Shape a More Inclusive, Personalised MyPlan at Southdown

At Southdown, we believe that the people we support should be at the heart of decisions that affect them. That’s why we recently held a client involvement session to redesign the MyPlan, a key tool used in our learning disability support services. The MyPlan is an annual meeting focused on the eight domains of quality […]

UOK East Sussex Wellbeing Service tender opportunity graphic showing paper people figures symbolising collaboration. Includes logos for Southdown, NHS Sussex, East Sussex County Council, and UOK East Sussex. Mental health service provider partnership call for subcontractor bids.

Southdown launches tender opportunity to deliver a part of UOK East Sussex Wellbeing Service

As Lead Provider for the Mental Health Support Service Contract (UOK East Sussex), Southdown has launched a tender opportunity for organisations to deliver part of that contract – the UOK East Sussex Wellbeing Service. The UOK East Sussex Wellbeing Service is being procured in five lots. These lots align with the new Neighbourhood Mental Health […]

A screenshot of a virtual webinar for World Autism Awareness Day. The slide on the left displays the UOK and Southdown logos with the title 'World Autism Awareness Day: Understanding and Embracing Difference' on a blue background. On the right, multiple participants are visible in a video call.

World Autism Awareness Day: UOK’s Webinar Encourages Ongoing Conversations

Yesterday, on World Autism AwarenessDay, UOK Mental Health Support Network hosted a powerful conversation on understanding and embracing the unique strengths autistic individuals bring to our world. As the lead provider of the UOK network, Southdown is proud to have supported this important webinar. We were joined by autistic professionals, peers and colleagues for some […]

Disability Confident Employer badge featuring four coloured icons representing inclusion, accessibility, and support, with the text 'Disability Confident Employer' in bold black and purple font.

Southdown Renews Disability Confident Employer Status for Another Three Years

We’re pleased to share that Southdown has successfully renewed its Disability Confident Employer status for another three years! This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where disabled colleagues and those with long-term health conditions feel valued and empowered The Disability Confident scheme helps employers recruit and retain great people by ensuring […]

Neurodiversity Celebration Week logo in blank font on white background with stripes of yellow, blue, red and green at top and bottom

Southdown’s EDI Leadership Group’s statement on Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17-23)

At Southdown, our Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Leadership Group is committed to making neurodiversity a key priority within our EDI strategy. This week is an opportunity to raise awareness, celebrate neurodivergent individuals, and encourage conversations about inclusivity in our workplaces and communities. To mark the week, our EDI Leadership Group has issued this […]

Introducing Southdown’s new Head of Partnerships: Emma McDermott

Our Communications Manager, Alice Clements, recently had the chance to sit down with Emma for a conversation.  Here’s what she shared… Can you share a little about your background that aligns with the role of Head of Partnerships at Southdown? Before joining Southdown, I built my career in local government with a strong focus on […]

A digital banner for Sussex Health & Care titled 'Changing the language: a guide to language for mental health.' The design features a pink border, bold purple and blue text, and an illustration of two people shaking hands, with icons representing community, support, and wellbeing

Changing the language: launch of a new guide to language for mental health

A new guide has been developed to help encourage positive conversations and an improved understanding of the impact that language, words and phrases can have on people when they are accessing mental health support. Launched this week by Sussex Health and Care, a partnership of organisations across Sussex, the ‘Changing the language: a guide to […]

Michael Barford, Southdown's Chief Finance Officer

Reflections on my first 100 days as Chief Finance Officer

Michael Barford, Southdown’s Chief Finance Officer, shares his insights, experiences, and reflections after 100 days in the role.