Mental Health Support Services Partner Engagement Workshops
Posted on 30 October 2024
Early November, NHS Sussex, Brighton and Hove City Council and West Sussex County Council are due to publish invitations to tender for Lead Provider for the recommissioning of Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) in Brighton and Hove and West Sussex. The contracts will be for a five-year period, beginning in 2025.
As the existing Lead Provider of MHSS in Brighton and Hove (UOK Brighton and Hove) as well as in East Sussex (UOK East Sussex), we’re keen to invite stakeholders and champions of mental health across the city to partner engagement workshops to inform our tender submission to continue in the role. In addition, we’re hosting workshops to inform our tender submission for Lead Provider for MHSS in West Sussex.
As a route to lived experience and our commitment to putting people first we are delighted to share that CAPITAL and Possability People will be attending the workshops to talk about what works and what doesn’t for the community of people who access and use mental health services. We are committed to co-production and the role people with lived experience will have within future service design and delivery of mental health support services in Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.
Neil Blanchard, our Chief Executive, says, “At Southdown, we firmly believe that the success of the Lead Provider model depends on local connections and relationships – knowing the communities we work in, understanding their needs, and working closely with local service providers and organisations.
“Ahead of taking on the Lead Provider role in Brighton and Hove five years ago, and more recently in East Sussex this year, we worked with partners to understand their expectations of a Lead Provider, and this feedback was crucial in shaping our approach.
“As such, we want to do this again to continue working with and learning from partner organisations and mental health champions to effectively meet local community need. I look forward to welcoming partner organisations and champions of mental health across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex to be part of a collaborative process to help shape the future provision of community mental health support services.”
Brighton & Hove workshops
When and where:
- In-person workshop: 21st November from 10am to 2.30pm at Projects Brighton, Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton BN1 1HW. Book here.
- Online workshop: 25th November from 9.30am to 12.30am (details to access shared upon booking). Book here.
Who can attend?
- UOK Brighton & Hove partner organisations.
- Senior leaders from any VCSE organisation in Brighton & Hove.
Two maximum representatives per organisation please.
Workshop facilitators
- Neil Blanchard, Chief Executive at Southdown.
- Brooke Joyce, Partnership Lead for UOK Brighton and Hove at Southdown.
- Sonia Mangan, Interim Head of Partnerships at Southdown.
West Sussex workshops
When and where:
- In-person workshop: 19th November from 10am to 2.30pm at Billingshurst Community Centre, Roman Way, Billingshurst RH14 9EW. Book here.
- Online workshop: 27th November from 2pm to 5pm (details to access shared upon booking). Book here.
Who can attend?
- West Sussex Pathfinder partner organisations.
- Senior leaders from any VCSE organisation in West Sussex.
Two maximum representatives per organisation please.
Workshop facilitators
- Neil Blanchard, Chief Executive at Southdown.
- Sonia Mangan, Interim Head of Partnerships at Southdown.
Please note:
- There are limited spaces available for the workshops, so please book as soon as possible to reserve your place.
- For the in-person workshops, if you have any dietary requirements (as lunch will be provided) or mobility adjustment requirements, please contact us at least 48 hours before the event to let us know.
- For any queries or adjustments contact us at: info@southdown.org.
- Invitations to the workshops are available to download below:
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you there.
