Brighton & Hove Recovery College

05/02/2026

Today is Time to Talk Day. It is a reminder that conversations can change lives.

Paul Misso is 81. He's a clergy abuse survivor, a photographer, and now co-facilitates creative workshops at our Recovery College in Brighton and Hove. For him, talking has been life-changing.

"Sharing my story has been incredibly therapeutic. It's calmed me down. It's allowed me to feel good about myself," shares Paul.

"I can now look at myself with compassion. I’m human. I can stop punishing myself, beating myself up. I’ve got a story to tell that could be inspirational."

Paul was a student at the Recovery College before stepping into a co-facilitator role, helping others use photography and creativity to tell their stories.

"Talking helps!," Paul asserts. "I’m having significant conversations on a regular basis because I go to therapy and Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA). Connection is important to me and community is important to me. Building community starts through talking and having the courage to say, “Do you want to have coffee?”

At Southdown, we create space for conversations. Whether that's through our mental health services, peer support, or simply making time to listen at our workplaces.

Talking helps, and everyone's story matters.

Read Paul's full story on our website: https://www.southdown.org/stories/sharing-my-story-has-been-incredibly-therapeutic/

Find tips and resources for starting a conversation about mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/time-to-talk-day/

19/01/2026

Southdown is pleased to support this UOK Winter Wellbeing Webinar.

12–1pm | Tuesday 27 January 2026
Supporting mental, physical and community wellbeing this winter

Join us to hear about community support available, alongside practical energy and food support information for the winter months. We’ll hear from guest speakers and make space to unwind and share tips that work for us.

UOK Mental Health & Wellbeing is a partnership led by Southdown, bringing together local organisations across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex to help people access mental health and wellbeing support in their communities.

Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uok-winter-wellbeing-webinar-tickets-1980465486583

16/01/2026

There’s still a little time left to apply for the Spring term at Brighton & Hove Recovery College. Enrolment closes at 9am on Monday 19 January.

Recovery College offers free courses for people aged 18+ living in Brighton & Hove to support recovery from mental health challenges. Carers and people working in the sector are also welcome.

The quickest way to enrol is to complete our online enrolment form. Prefer paper? Download the form and send it to us.

Find out more and apply: https://www.southdown.org/services/recovery-college-brighton-hove/

12/01/2026

If you’re struggling to cope or feeling at a breaking point, Staying Well is here for you.

Staying Well offers out-of-hours mental health support in a safe, welcoming space, with no appointment needed. You can talk to recovery workers, mental health practitioners and peer support workers who will listen and help you feel supported.

Staying Well is open 7 days a week:
Weekdays: 5.00pm–10.30pm
Weekends: 3.00pm–10.30pm

Southdown delivers the service in Brighton & Hove, Hastings and Eastbourne. More here: https://www.southdown.org/services/staying-well/

Support is available when you need it. Find out more at:
sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/staying-well

30/12/2025

Thinking about learning more about Recovery College or joining a course this spring?

Recovery College is hosting an open day where you can drop in, meet trainers and students, and find out what the College is all about. You’ll also be able to register your interest in upcoming courses and workshops, with Buddies (people with lived experience of mental health challenges) available on the day to offer support if needed.

Wednesday 7 January 2026
11.00am–3.00pm (drop in at any time)
Brighthelm Centre, Brighton BN1 1YD

Delivered in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Recovery College offers free, educational courses to support recovery from mental health challenges. It’s open to anyone aged 18+ in Brighton & Hove with mental health support needs, as well as carers and people working in the sector. Courses are delivered in person, with some online options available.

Learn more: https://www.southdown.org/services/recovery-college-brighton-hove/

24/12/2025

21/11/2025

Christmas is often described as ‘the most wonderful time of the year’… but for many people, it can feel anything but that. The festive period can bring tension, pressure and worry, with expectations around gift-giving, hosting, sociability and appearing cheerful. These demands can create real stress and leave many feeling far removed from the supposed ‘season of good will’.

The Surviving Christmas Workshop, delivered by the Southdown-led Brighton & Hove Recovery College, offers a supportive space for anyone finding the festive season challenging.

This free session will explore:
• Understanding common festive triggers and ways to manage them
• Exploring approaches for navigating social unease and loneliness
• Identifying activities that are comfortable, meaningful and budget-friendly

Dates:
27 November or 11 December |10.30am – 1.30pm | Online via Microsoft Teams
Free for adults in Brighton & Hove

To book a place, contact: recoverycollege@southdown.org
or call 01273 749500.

30/10/2025

As ADHD Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re sharing reflections from Akvile, Clinical Trainer at Brighton & Hove Recovery College.

In our conversation, Akvile spoke about why ADHD awareness matters, what people often misunderstand, and how small adjustments can make a big difference.

"ADHD awareness is very important because it helps promote compassion, it reduces stigma, and it aids communication, thus, improving relationships between people across all areas of life,"
shares Akvile. "Understanding ADHD helps with identifying the right support, it helps highlight people’s strengths and how to celebrate them. Awareness helps individuals embrace ADHD as a valuable part of who they are, building confidence and a true sense of belonging."

Swipe through the slides to read highlights from our conversation.

Through Brighton & Hove Recovery College, we offer courses like Introduction to ADHD that support understanding, recovery, and self-management. These free educational courses are co-produced and co-delivered by people with lived experience, clinical staff, and professionals, in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Find out more on our website: https://www.southdown.org/services/recovery-college-brighton-hove/

16/10/2025

Our values shape how we do things, and we are incredibly proud of living them every day.

10/10/2025

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we are reflecting on what truly makes access to mental health support work.

As the lead provider for the UOK Mental Health Network in Brighton, Hove and East Sussex, we understand how empowering clear, straightforward signposting can be for anyone experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing. Through our work with local charities and community organisations, we see what truly makes a difference: support that’s accessible, culturally responsive, free from stigma, and genuinely welcoming.

When help feels familiar rather than clinical, and close by rather than distant, people are more likely to reach out early.

At Southdown, we know that wellbeing doesn’t exist in isolation. Stable housing, strong connections, and good physical health all influence mental health outcomes. That’s why we’re working every day to join up and simplify access to the right support within our services.

We are also building access that works for people. Several of our mental health services already use an open access model, and we’re working to expand this approach further, creating pathways where people receive timely support without lengthy referral processes. We believe that when someone takes that brave step to reach out, they should always find a clear way forward.

Whether you’re beginning to name what you’re experiencing, already navigating your mental health journey, or feeling the weight of world events - you are not alone, and support is available.

Here are some support options if you are looking for help.

If you're in crisis:
- Call 999 or go to A&E immediately
- Call NHS 111 – select the mental health option
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, any time)
- Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
- Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258

Struggling with anxiety, stress, low mood or panic attacks?
- Contact NHS Talking Therapies or speak to your GP surgery

If you live in East Sussex / Brighton & Hove: Explore uok.org.uk

Looking for free, online support:
Qwell offers confidential online counselling and emotional wellbeing support, 24/7. Provided through our UOK partnership for residents of Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, it's there whenever you need it. Access it via: uok.org.uk

If you're struggling, please reach out. If you're worried about someone else, start the conversation. And if you're already supporting others- thank you. You're part of the solution.
UOK Brighton & Hove

03/10/2025

Have you subscribed to Southdown’s newsletter yet?

In our latest issue (September 2025), we shared:

- Highlights from the launch of our new five-year strategy
- The release of our Impact Report 2024–25
- Our statement on Starts at Home Day and latest LeDeR report
- Highlights from our latest Gender Pay Gap Report 2025
- Job opportunities at Southdown

Don’t miss future updates on our work, stories from our services, and sector insights.

Subscribe here: https://www.southdown.org/signup-for-our-newsletter/

05/09/2025

Recovery College offers free, in-person (and some online) educational courses that support recovery from mental health challenges. It’s open to anyone aged 18+ in Brighton & Hove with mental health support needs. Carers and people working in the sector are also welcome.

The College is provided in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and as part of the UOK Brighton & Hove network of mental health support.

Enrolment for the Autumn Term is now open! Closing date: Monday 15 September.

Apply online via the form on our website:
https://www.southdown.org/services/recovery-college-brighton-hove/