20 January 2026
The development of the 15 Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams across Sussex has been shaped by strong, collaborative partnerships between the NHS, VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations, primary care, and people with lived experience. This blog highlights the invaluable contribution of VCSE leads and organisations, including Southdown, BHT Sussex, and West Sussex Mind.
Penny Fenton, Senior Programme Manager - Transformation and Change Team at Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust, says:
"Working in partnership with VCSE colleagues has been and continues to be critical. VCSE partners are embedded in communities and are an accessible support system that responds well to meeting local needs.
"VCSE organisations are agile and able to flex and change to meet new and emerging needs, which can sometimes take longer within larger NHS organisations. Bringing together evidence-based treatment and the range of wider support VCSE organisations provide allows both the NHS and the voluntary sector to play to their strengths, providing a much more rounded experience for people that can respond to changing needs.
"We have also learnt a great deal from each other's organisations, reduced duplication and maximised the use of the resources we have. It will be critical to continue to work collaboratively as we further integrate across the system. Together, we are undoubtedly stronger."
Martin Dominy, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove VCSE Lead for the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, says:
"VCSE involvement was built into development of the Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams from the start, with dedicated roles funded early on. This early investment enabled the VCSE to bring frontline experience, practical insight and strong knowledge of local communities."VCSE partners and leads have driven progress by bringing a pragmatic, can-do approach to a complex programme of change. They played a key role in shaping the model, bringing people together across organisations, and acting as a bridge between the NHS and the VCSE to support strong, equal partnerships.
"VCSE leads also significantly contributed to driving forward system transformation activities, including development of the NMHT Standard Operating Procedure and transition to the SystmOne electronic patient record."
Emma Logie, West Sussex VCSE Lead for the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme and Head of Mental Health Support Services at BHT Sussex, says:
"Open and honest conversations between VCSE organisations, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, primary care partners and people with lived experience has been crucial. Being able to discuss what works and what doesn’t, without judgement, has supported a positive cultural shift and strengthened shared ownership."VCSE-led approaches have influenced how teams operate through flexibility, innovation and a holistic, non-clinical perspective that recognises mental health needs go beyond clinical care. In addition, the co-production of key NMHT documents has improved clarity for all staff and ensured they better reflect the needs of people using the service."
Andrea Potter, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove VCSE Lead for the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, says:
"VCSE co-leadership of consultation, design and development ensured the model was genuinely co-produced from the outset, with meaningful involvement from the wider VCSE sector and VCSE Mental Health Network. The three-tier structure of the neighbourhood mental health team model - comprising core teams (including support from Southdown and Pathfinder West Sussex - BHT Sussex and West Sussex Mind), aligned services, and wider partnership networks - has created multiple routes for VCSE involvement. This includes not only specialist mental health organisations but also VCSE partners whose primary focus is wider wellbeing and prevention, both of which are vital for effective mental health support."A key VCSE contribution has been to support the cultural shift away from siloed working, with stronger relationships and more collaborative approaches now emerging in practice. Co-leadership of place-based operational delivery groups has also ensured VCSE perspectives and local knowledge are embedded in decision-making."
Kerrin Page, VCSE Strategic Lead in West Sussex and Chief Executive at West Sussex Mind, says:
“What has felt genuinely unique about this programme is that the VCSE sector has been involved from the outset as an equal and trusted partner, embedded in decision-making and co-creating both the principles and shape of the neighbourhood mental health team model."Because VCSE organisations are so deeply rooted in local communities, we brought a granular, place-based perspective that amplified individual voices and lived experience. Alongside a strong culture of empowerment within the VCSE workforce, this enabled a diversity of voices to shape the work - not a single, generic VCSE perspective, but a collaboration of insights that added real richness.”
Rah Bray, Head of Mental Health & Housing Support at Southdown, says:
"Bringing VCSE and NHS organisations together has meant bridging different professional cultures and ways of working. What’s made the difference is a shared commitment to the people the model is designed to serve. By staying focused on that purpose, VCSE partners have been able to bring community-rooted insight, flexibility and values-led practice into the development of the model, helping to build mutual understanding and demonstrate the value of combining clinical expertise with VCSE-led approaches. VCSE organisations have helped maintain a focus on wider wellbeing and prevention, supporting more joined-up ways of working across neighbourhood teams."
Thank you to everyone across the VCSE sector for the vital role you have played in the successful and ongoing development of Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams. For more information about Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams visit our website here. To keep up to date with the ongoing development of the Teams, sign up to the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme's monthly newsletter here.
