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. 

A woman with short blond hair looking slightly sideways into the camera with a plastic floral garland.

Helen Tuddenham, Vice Chair of our Board, reflects on her Southdown journey

“I am very proud to be a board member of Southdown and feel privileged to help such a fantastic organisation achieve its purpose.“ My Southdown journey started when I left a full-time job with a large consulting firm in London to start my own executive coaching company. I didn’t time it very well – I […]

A group of Southdown employees accompanied by a client stand outside Hove town hall with placards asking for fair funding for social care from the local council.

Southdown Joins Call to Brighton & Hove Council Leaders: Save Social Care

Following last month’s demonstration in Chichester, social care providers, service users, and supporters gathered outside Hove Town Hall yesterday to urge Brighton & Hove City Council to make urgent investment in social care. The event saw a strong turnout, with members of the public showing their support for fair funding and highlighting the essential role […]

Time to Talk Day logo on a white background and thin green stripes across the length of the image at the top and the bottom. Teh logo has Time to Talk day wriiten with the date 06/02/2025 with logos of Rethink Mental Illness and Mind as organisers.

Let’s Talk Mental Health: Southdown marks Time to Talk Day 2025

Today, Southdown celebrates Time To Talk Day, an event run by MIND and Rethink Mental Illness every year to encourage the nation to talk about mental health.  First launched in 2014, this campaign is dear to our heart because it works to end mental health stigma and discrimination.  With one in four people experiencing a […]

A man with long dark hair, wearing a black heavy metal-themed vest with patches, is pushing a wheelchair along a pavement. The wheelchair user, a client, a man with glasses and a bright red shirt, is smiling. The wheelchair has decorations, including stickers with political messages. They are outdoors on a tree-lined street with brick houses and parked cars in the background. They are featured in government's 'Made with Care' campaign.

Southdown Support Worker and Client shine in national ‘Made with Care’ campaign

We are incredibly proud to share that Nick, a Support Worker from our Sackville Gardens learning disability service in Brighton, alongside Kevin, a client of the service, are featured in the government’s national Made with Care (adult social care) recruitment campaign. Running throughout February, this high-profile initiative is backed by an extensive promotional push, including […]

Together for Social Care: Providers, Service Users, and Supporters Rally for Fair Funding

On Wednesday, 29th January, crowds of people who support, use, work in, and volunteer across social care in West Sussex gathered outside County Hall, Chichester, to raise awareness of the precarious state of social care across the county.   Inside, the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Cabinet met to finalise the 2025/26 budget. While Cabinet […]

A person with pink hair styled in a braid wearing a pink T-shirt that reads "Kind people are my kind of people" in bold red text with a daisy design. They are participating in a lively Learning Disability Service event.

Stand Up for Social Care: Urgent Call for Action to Secure the Future of Vital Services

Social care is more than a service; it’s a lifeline for millions of individuals, families, and communities across the UK. On Wednesday, 29th January, social care advocates, led by Sue Livett, CEO of the Aldingbourne Trust, will gather at County Hall in Chichester to demand urgent investment and support for the sector. Our Chief Executive, […]