UOK Wellbeing Service launches across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, making mental health support easier to access

The UOK Wellbeing Service launches on 13 July, bringing together community mental health and wellbeing support across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove into a joined-up, easy-to-access service.

Delivered by Southdown and funded by NHS Surrey and Sussex, East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council, the service provides welcoming, inclusive support for people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges.

Designed around people’s individual needs, the UOK Wellbeing Service offers a range of support including one-to-one sessions, peer support groups, social and community activities, and help to connect with specialist services where needed.

The service has been designed to make accessing support as simple as possible. Anyone can attend a Walk-in Welcome Session without an appointment, while Saturday telephone appointments can be booked online. New and existing clients can also sign up for eight-week peer support programmes through the UOK website, helping people build confidence, strengthen community connections, and improve their wellbeing.

The UOK Wellbeing Service is part of the wider UOK partnership, a network of voluntary and community organisations working together to improve mental health and wellbeing across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex.

The launch follows a redesign of Southdown’s community mental health services, informed by feedback from staff, clients, and partner organisations, creating a clearer and more consistent offer across Sussex.

Matt Gough, Chief Operations Officer at Southdown, said: “The launch of the UOK Wellbeing Service is an important step towards making mental health support easier to access for people across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. We know people want support that is welcoming, connected to their local community, and centred around what matters most to them.

Matt added, “The service reflects the NHS neighbourhood health approach, bringing together community organisations and local partners to provide more coordinated, person-centred support closer to home. By working together, we can respond more effectively to people’s needs, helping them access the right support at the right time. This more connected approach will help people get support earlier, build resilience and stay well, while creating a more consistent experience for everyone who uses the service.”

For more information about the UOK Wellbeing Service, visit https://www.uok.org.uk/service/uok-wellbeing-service/