West Sussex Mind

06/11/2025

Meet The Comedians!

We can't wait to welcome the brilliant local talent we have for our charity comedy night this month.

Find out who is playing and hear further information about our amazing comedians performing:

🎤 Christian Jegard

‘Mr Showbusiness’ Christian Jegard is an all-round entertainer from Brighton. As recently seen on TV in the BBC New Comedy Awards, Christian can also be heard on Radio 4 Extra, was runner up Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year, Komedia New Comedy Award finalist, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Runner Up and won Audience Favourite at the Musical Comedy Awards.

“Forensically brilliant” - Jake Yapp, BBC Radio 4

“Charismatic, charming, awkward and incredibly funny. If you want showbusiness, this is it.” - Under the Radar

🎤 Andy Fox

Born and raised in Kent, comedian Andrew Fox is Maidstone's own Cheeky Chavvy. Now Brighton based, Fox speaks of life growing up on a council estate with a criminal-adjacent working class family, offering an exciting mix of clever punchlines and authentic charm. Using observation and quick wit to deliver a fast paced, gag heavy set.

'He certainly deserves to be elevated into comedy big time, and soon' - Chortle

Komedia New Comedy Award winner 2024

Leicester festival comedian of the year runner up 2025

🎤 Charlotte Madden -

Charlotte is a new act, living in Brighton and performing across the South East. She is a failed rebel with a wonky take on life. Wise and frivolous, bringing wit and intrigue to her comedy, with a sprinkle of absurd. Fresh from her first sold out split bill at Brighton Fringe, Charlotte has also performed at Brighton Komedia, The Forge Comedy Club and Edinburgh Fringe.

Komedia New Act Semi-Finalist 2025, Chichester Fringe New Act Competition Finalist 2025, West End New Act Women Competition Semi-Finalist 2025.

🎤 Ali Jay

"Ali’s show puts you in danger, in danger of rolling on the floor, and laughing your head off. She left no time for breaths, shooting wild jokes and laugh starters at you like a cowboy in a Wild West movie" Edinburgh Fringe Review

'Ali Jay had us laughing in the aisles' - BrightonTheatre.co.uk

'Ridiculous, silly, wonderfully heart-warming and brilliantly funny' - Brighton Fringe

🎤 Sam Chant

Sam is a Painfully self deprecating, observational comic, trying to Adult amidst the challenges of fatherhood and an obsession with bad food.

Sam continues to move from strength to strength and has been a finalist in the Southampton comedian of the year competition, and most recently a finalist in the Lounges.tv showcase that was hand picked and judged by Omid Djalili.

Join us on the 28th November at Worthing Rugby Club from 7pm for our first comedy night.

Ticket for comedy: £7
Ticket for Comedy and Curry: £12

Get your tickets NOW!

https://www.westsussexmind.org/get-involved/fundraising/west-sussex-mind-comedy-night

Guests can also enjoy delicious food, generously donated by Reema Restaurant in East Preston, with both meat and vegetarian meal options available for those purchasing a comedy and meal ticket.⁠

This exciting fundraiser is proudly sponsored by Freeman Brothers Funeral Directors, a family-run business serving communities in Sussex and Surrey since 1855.⁠ ⁠

05/11/2025

NEW DATE! PERFECT CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT ✨

EARLY BIRD SOLD OUT - GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW

Join Blue Dakota & guests at their evening of live music and entertainment at The Factory Live raising money for West Sussex Mind on December 11th 2025.

This event will help West Sussex Mind to raise vital funds for mental health within our community.

Perfect for your Christmas night out!

Tickets are still available now https://www.seetickets.com/event/mind-a-night-with-blue-dakota-and-guests/the-factory-live/3472003

05/11/2025

Today is Stress Awareness Day.

Stress can have a large impact on our lives, in some cases reducing our quality of life or becoming completely debilitating.

Check out our tips on how to reduce and manage stress 👈🏻

03/11/2025

It's Trustees' Week.

This week, we celebrate the achievements and hard work of all trustees!

We'd like to say a big thank you to all of our amazing trustees for all of their hard work and time they give to West Sussex Mind ❤️

You can find out more about our trustees here: www.westsussexmind.org/about-us/our-trustees

03/11/2025

The clocks have gone back. The evenings are drawing in. But it’s no reason to avoid the going outdoors and getting fresh air!

A dose of the outdoors works wonders for our wellbeing ❤️

Consider doing one of the things listed as a way to get outside

Where will you go this week and what will you do?

03/11/2025

Do you love comedy? Do you fancy a night of comedy and food from Reema Restaurant?⁠
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Join us on the 28 November 2025 for our first charity comedy night with performances from:⁠
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Christian Jegard ⁠
Ali Jay⁠
Andy Fox⁠
Charlotte Madden⁠
Sam Chant⁠
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The event will showcase a brilliant line-up of local comedians. Guests can look forward to an evening packed with entertainment, all while raising vital funds to support mental health across West Sussex.⁠
⁠
Guests can also enjoy delicious food, generously donated by Reema Restaurant in East Preston, with both meat and vegetarian meal options available for those purchasing a comedy and meal ticket.⁠
⁠
Performer Sam Chant said, “I’m really excited to be supporting West Sussex mind. My family have personally experienced their help and we are truly grateful. They found us a path to support, when nobody else could. I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to give back a little, whilst doing something I enjoy.”  ⁠
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Tickets are available now from £7 for comedy only, or £12 for comedy plus a meal. All proceeds go directly to supporting West Sussex Mind’s work in the local community.⁠

Sign up here: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/WestSussexMindComedyNight2025
⁠
This exciting fundraiser is proudly sponsored by Freeman Brothers Funeral Directors, a family-run business serving communities in Sussex and Surrey since 1855.⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠

02/11/2025

Feel like you need help?⁠
⁠
Mental health struggles can occur at any time. That's why there are various organisations who offer 24/7 support over the phone.⁠
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If you, or someone you know, is in need of mental health support, please don't hesitate to ring any of the phone numbers listed in this post when our Help Point is not available.⁠
⁠

01/11/2025

It's Men's Mental Health Month.

Men are around three times more likely to die by su***de than women, a gap that has widened over time.

Stigma is still a barrier for some in opening up about their mental health and getting the support they need.

One way to combat stigma is to break down the barriers to talking about mental health, you can do this by opening up conversations.

Check out our tips for opening up conversations with those in your life about mental health.

01/11/2025

Step into the magic of Christmas with our Santa's Grotto at Goddenwick Farm this November and December! 🎁

Using the link below, book your slot to meet Father Christmas, make memories and help us spread festive joy!

Booking link >>>> https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westsussexmind8884776/1884902

Sessions are available all day, every Saturday and Sunday from 22 November to 14 December.

We will also be hosting longer Santa sessions, designed for children with SEND, on the morning of 22 November. Please email fundraising@westsussexmind.org to book these specific sessions.

31/10/2025

West Sussex Mind's Parenting Service is hosting a free online session on November 12, 19:30–21:30, designed to help parents and carers recognise and support masking behaviours in children and young people.

Masking refers to the experience of changing oneself to fit in, often by hiding or altering autistic characteristics, consciously or unconsciously (Ai et al., 2022; Hull et al., 2017; Lawson, 2020). It can involve self-monitoring body language, using social scripts, or forcing eye contact, and can become so automatic that aspects of identity can feel unclear (Cook et al., 2021; Pearson & Rose, 2021).

Research shows that masking often develops as a protective response to bullying, discrimination, or social pressure, and is linked to higher anxiety and depression in neurodivergent children and young people (Cage & Troxell-Whitman, 2019; Hull et al., 2021a). Understanding and supporting children who mask is therefore crucial for their mental health and wellbeing.

This session is for parents and carers of children who have a diagnosis, are awaiting assessment, or who may be neurodivergent. You’ll gain practical guidance and tips on how to identify masking behaviours and provide effective support.

Secure your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-masking-behaviours-in-neurodivergent-children-and-young-people-tickets-1605716795159 ✨

Join us to help your child feel understood, accepted, and supported 🧩



Data referenced from:
‘“I want to fit in… but I don’t want to change myself fundamentally”: A qualitative exploration of the relationship between masking and mental health for autistic teenagers’, (2022), Louise Chapman, Kieran Rose, Laura Hull and William Mandy, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946722001568.

31/10/2025

Jingle your way to better mental health! Sign up today for our biggest fundraiser of the year to support better mental health across West Sussex.

Sunday 30 November, Worthing Promenade. Link here >>>> https://www.westsussexmind.org/get-involved/fundraising/mental-elf-2025

2025 Mental Elf will be our third year running this amazing event which brings together the community in support of local people's mental health. In addition to our usual 5km Mental Elf, this year we have introduced a 2km option to make the event more accessible and ensure everyone can get involved in the Christmas joy!

Every participant that raises over £150 receives a special edition Mental Elf t-shirt designed by Worthing artist, Steve Carroll. There will also be a doggy parade with prizes, fresh donuts, Santa's sleigh, prizes for best dressed elves, a live choir and more....

Don't miss out on the festive fun and sign up today and fundraise for West Sussex Mind to help support local people - together we can make a difference!

Mental Elf is open to all — people of all ages and abilities, such as runners, walkers, families (buggies), teams, wheelchair users and more. You can even bring the dog!

30/10/2025

Did you know that we offer in person and online peer support groups for the LGBTQIA+ community?

If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, you can find mutual support and community with our face to face and online peer support groups.

If you would like to join one of these groups or find out more, call our Help Point on 0300 303 5652 or email helppoint@westsussexmind.org (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm).

You can also book onto the Midhurst group by emailing Pathfinder.midhurst@westsussexmind.org

You can find out more information here: www.westsussexmind.org/help_and_support/specialist-services/lgbtqia-peer-support