
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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.