Brighton & Hove Recovery College

Brighton & Hove Recovery College Offering educational courses as a route to recovery from mental health challenges. The College is a part of UOK Brighton & Hove Network, delivered by Southdown.

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

Have you subscribed to Southdown’s newsletter yet?In our latest issue (September 2025), we shared:-  Highlights from the...
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/

Recovery College offers free, in-person (and some online) educational courses that support recovery from mental health c...
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/

The Government will be testing its national emergency alert system on Saturday, 7 September.On this day, most mobile pho...
04/09/2025

The Government will be testing its national emergency alert system on Saturday, 7 September.

On this day, most mobile phones will:
📱 Display a test message
🔊 Make a loud, siren-like sound (even if the phone is on silent)
⏱ The alert will last for around 10 seconds
⚠️ It will not sound if the phone is switched off

This is just a test – there is no need to be alarmed.

Some people may find the alert worrying or confusing. If you know someone who might be affected, you can help by letting them know what to expect.

Can the alert be silenced?

The test alert will sound on most phones, even if set to silent. It will not sound if the phone is switched off.

In some circumstances – for example, if someone has a concealed phone for safety reasons – it may be safer to opt out of emergency alerts.

How to opt out:
You can usually turn alerts off in your phone settings:
📱 On iPhone or Android: search your settings for emergency alerts and turn off severe and extreme alerts.
📱 On other phones: look in messages or settings for options such as wireless emergency alerts or emergency broadcasts, and turn off severe, extreme and test alerts.

What you can do:
✅ Share this information with friends, family, or neighbours
✅ Remind people it’s only a test and there’s nothing to worry about
✅ Reassure anyone who might be anxious about the alert

More information: https://www.gov.uk/alerts

Join us for an informative UOK Brighton & Hove webinar for World Su***de Prevention Day on the 10th September, where we’...
03/09/2025

Join us for an informative UOK Brighton & Hove webinar for World Su***de Prevention Day on the 10th September, where we’ll explore how we can stay safe together, support one another, and break down the stigma around su***de.

This year’s theme is Changing the Narrative: Shining a light on the strength of communities and the practical resources that can make a difference.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 10 September
🕑 12:30-1:30pm
📍 Online

Free to attend.

Register now to secure your place: https://ow.ly/N7Xk50WQerZ

Read more about it on UOK website here: https://ow.ly/i6iI50WQes5
Grassroots Su***de Prevention | Rethink Mental Illness | Friends, Families and Travellers

We are excited to announce our Open Day event to kick off the Autumn term!The Open Day will take place on  on Wednesday ...
28/08/2025

We are excited to announce our Open Day event to kick off the Autumn term!

The Open Day will take place on on Wednesday 3rd September ‘25 at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD, from 11:00 – 3:00

The Recovery College offers free courses and workshops aimed at helping individuals with mental health challenges take control of their self-care and recovery journey. These courses are specifically designed for those aged 18 and over, living in Brighton and Hove, who have mental health support needs. Carers and mental health professionals are also encouraged to participate.

Open Day Highlights:
~ Meet the Team: Engage with the friendly staff and learn about the supportive environment the Recovery College offers.
~ Course Information: Discover the variety of mental health recovery courses available this Autumn and how they can help you or someone you care for.
~ Registration: Express your interest in the upcoming term and register for courses that suit your needs.

More information here: https://www.southdown.org/services/recovery-college-brighton-hove/

National surveys have shown that half of adults in Great Britain report feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often, o...
13/06/2025

National surveys have shown that half of adults in Great Britain report feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often, or always. But while loneliness may be a natural emotion, that doesn't make it any less upsetting or painful.
Do you know what loneliness looks like? Read East Sussex County Council's article this to learn more: https://ow.ly/Azi250W4Jr9
#
LonelinessAwarenessWeek #

It’s Loneliness Awareness Week and despite it being something many of us have experienced, loneliness is often a feeling...
11/06/2025

It’s Loneliness Awareness Week and despite it being something many of us have experienced, loneliness is often a feeling that is left unsaid…

It can be hard to speak up because of the stigma and shame sometimes associated with it. However, the first step to managing loneliness is to recognise and acknowledge it.

We are pleased to support this important awareness campaign by East Sussex County Council

Read more and discover helpful resources: https://ow.ly/Azi250W4Jr9

Address

Isetta Square, 35 New England Street
Brighton And Hove
BN14GQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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Welcome to the Brighton and Hove Recovery College

Welcome to the Brighton and Hove Recovery College, offering educational courses as a route to recovery from mental health challenges. All our courses are FREE and designed and delivered by people with lived experience of mental health challenges, together with clinical staff and other professionals.

The College is provided in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and as part of the Community Roots network of mental health support.

Courses focus on recovery and self-management skills and range in length from one-day workshops to longer courses running for eight weeks, on subjects such as ‘Mindfulness’ and ‘Managing Anxiety’. The courses are based at community venues across Brighton and Hove including our Learning and Community Hub at Frederick Place and our Preston Park Recovery Centre.

Whether you are hoping to gain a better understanding of mental health challenges or are looking to develop new skills and abilities you didn’t think you had, take a look at what we have to offer in our College Prospectus.