A HOUSING care and support provider has won a coveted Positive Practice in Mental Health award for its Supported Employment service.

Not-for-profit organisation Southdown picked up the award in the category Improving Access and Outcomes in Employment at a ceremony in Blackpool.

Southdown’s Sussex-wide Supported Employment team has been supporting people with severe and enduring mental health needs to secure and retain paid work and complete education, training and work placement opportunities for ten years.

Working in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s mental health recovery teams, they provide tailored support for individuals based on their needs, goals and aspirations.

Over the past 12 months they’ve supported over 1,320 people.

They also work in partnership with employers and provide mental health awareness training to help promote positive mental health in the workplace.

Martin Dominy, head of Southdown’s Mental Health Recovery Services, said: “We’re privileged to accept this award on behalf of our teams working across East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove – and the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who we deliver the service in partnership with and who are a crucial aspect of its success.

“Winning this award is recognition that employment can be a fundamental step for people’s mental health recovery.

“We’d like to thank our commissioners for investing in the service for the past ten years, and for their ongoing support, so we can be there for more people in need.”

Sam Allen, Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:“I am delighted Southdown has been recognised for their work on Supported Employment at the National Positive Practice Awards.

“Sussex Partnership are proud to work together with Southdown, supporting people to retain employment, get paid work or access education and volunteering opportunities.

“This is often a crucial part of supporting recovery and improving mental wellbeing.”

One client of Southdown’s Supported Employment said: “Employment Support has made a huge difference to my life.

“I feel confident to go out and socialise.

“I feel important, listened to, valued, treated with respect, and spoken to respectfully.

“It’s opened doors for me.”

Southdown offers a range of recovery services for people who need support to manage their mental health.

All services are free and available for people aged 18 and over.

Some services can also accessed by young people aged 16.

Southdown was established in 1972 and is one of the largest not-for-profit specialist providers of care, support and housing services for vulnerable people in Sussex.

For more information on Southdown and the housing, care and support they provide visit www.southdown.org

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