Lead Pic: Dr Jane Padmore, CEO of Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and Neil Blanchard, Chair of Southdown
Sussex Partnership has joined forces with voluntary sector organisations to enhance the support available for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.
Seven organisations representing the voluntary community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) and Sussex Partnership have signed the Sussex Compact, an agreement which sets out a vision for working in partnership to shape and deliver non-clinical services.
Through adopting new ways of working, it will help all the organisations meet the needs of the community with improved support and services.
Dr Jane Padmore, Chief Executive of SPFT, said: “I am delighted to sign up to this compact. It is a bold commitment about how we are working differently and is an example of how we are committed to working in partnership to improve the lives and services for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and the neurodiverse.”
Neil Blanchard, Chair of the Sussex VCSE Alliance and Chief Executive of Southdown, which provides specialist care, support and housing in Sussex, added: “Sussex not-for-profit organisations and charities are at the forefront and frontline responding to local communities’ needs; holding trusted relationships to provide access to advice, guidance and support.
“With increasing pressure and demand on services, we are committed to being true strategic partners with the Sussex Partnership where our skills, experience and local knowledge can be fully utilised and respected to help design new solutions. To make this a reality requires new ways of working. The Sussex Compact, cowritten with the Sussex Partnership, acts as a great starting point.”
The VCSE sector has long provided a range of support to the NHS, including delivering services and being partners in strategy development. There are 257 voluntary organisations and charities working in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex delivering mental health and wellbeing support and 45 specific mental health organisations. They range from small grassroots organisations to larger organisations.
