UOK Brighton & Hove webinar marks World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 with expert-led sessions

On 10 September, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, UOK Brighton & Hove hosted a webinar exploring suicide prevention across diverse communities and settings. Chaired by Richard Tandoh, Expert by Experience at Rethink Mental Illness, the event brought together speakers from local and national organisations to share insights, practical strategies, and toolkits for support. […]

Cover page of Southdown’s Gender Pay Gap Report 2025. The design features a green background with the title “Gender Pay Gap Report 2025” in large white text. In the foreground, two Southdown colleagues are shown in conversation: a man wearing a white shirt on the left and a woman wearing a black patterned top on the right.

“The direction we’re heading in gives us confidence”- Southdown’s Gender Pay Gap Report 2025 shows progress

We are pleased to release our 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report, which highlights the progress we’re making towards pay equity, representation, and fairness in reward at Southdown. This year, we’ve reached a significant milestone by achieving median pay parity and maintaining equity in bonus distribution. In this context, “bonus” refers to long service awards and […]

Southdown responds to the latest Learning from Lives and Deaths (LeDeR) report

A report exploring data on the early deaths of people in the UK who are autistic or have a learning disability exposes the stark health inequalities they face. The Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) 2023 report, released by researchers at King’s College London, reveals that […]

hands joined together, holding a house miniature, signifying safety, belongingness and ownership. It speaks to the Starts at home day which stresses how wellbeing starts at home.

Starts at Home Day: Why supported housing matters

When Paul’s* arthritis worsened and gardening work dried up, he lost his income and his home. With nowhere else to go, he began living in his van. Life felt unsafe and uncertain, and he didn’t know where to turn. Through a referral, Southdown supported Paul into temporary accommodation, helping him manage debt and access benefits. […]

Southdown Mill Lane service team stands as a group with the manager holding the trophy for getting excellent rating.

Southdown’s Mill Lane learning disability service shines with “Excellent” rating in recent quality audit

Our incredible team at Mill Lane, Portslade learning disability service has been awarded an “Excellent” overall rating by the local authority following a recent Provider Assessment and Market Management Solution (PAMMS) Quality Audit. The audit is a rigorous process designed to assess the quality of social care services and help prepare for Care Quality Commission […]

Southdown team marching in Brighton Pride Parade, holding a green Southdown banner with the words ‘Housing | Connection | Support’, surrounded by colourful rainbow outfits, flags, and inclusion signs.

Southdown and UOK march in Brighton Pride Parade for the first time

On Saturday 2 August, Southdown and UOK Brighton & Hove proudly joined thousands of people to march in the Brighton Pride Parade for the very first time, and it was unforgettable. With over 300,000 people celebrating Pride across the city, this was an incredible opportunity for us to show our solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community […]

A smiling support worker in a pirate hat poses with a client at the LD Summer Fiesta 2025. Both are wearing tropical shirts and sitting at a decorated table filled with colourful origami flowers. The client, seated in a wheelchair, is playfully pulling a face, and both appear relaxed and happy. In the background, other guests and staff in bright outfits move around a busy, festive hall.

Belonging, joy and connection: Inside the Southdown’s Summer Fiesta 2025

As guests made their way into the Fiesta venue, set in the sprawling South of England Showground in Ardingly, the energy was unmistakable. Music played in the background, bubbles floated through the breeze, and smiles were everywhere. Some guests adjusted their costumes just right, while others were supported by staff as they wheeled in, their chairs […]

Close-up of hands gently holding a small wooden house model, symbolising care, stability, and home. Green and white graphic overlay includes the text: “Tenant Satisfaction Measures – Results for 2024–25

Southdown’s latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) report highlights continued improvements

This year’s results highlight real progress in key areas including repairs, safety, communication, and complaints handling. They also provide insight into where we still have more to do. Tenant voice continues to guide our work and shape better services. We’re pleased to share the results of our 2024/25 Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) report. We thank […]

People gathered indoors and outdoors at Bradbury Court’s annual garden party, with colourful bunting, Union Jack flags, and handmade decorations hanging from the ceiling. Tables are set up with cakes, crafts, and refreshments. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, with clients, staff, and family members chatting and enjoying the event together.

A day of joy at Bradbury Court’s Garden Party

The garden at Bradbury Court, one of our West Sussex-based learning disability support services, came alive last week with laughter, creativity, and community spirit, as we hosted our much-loved summer garden party for clients, staff, families, and friends from across our services. Of course, there was lovely tea and cake, but what made it special […]

Open letter: Southdown’s Response to the Universal Credit and PIP Bill

Yesterday, the Government announced a new Bill concerning Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). At Southdown, we believe this proposed legislation will have damaging consequences for the people we support and for many others across our communities, and we feel compelled to speak out. We have today written to MPs across Sussex to share […]

a representative image showing empowerment

Southdown achieves major reduction in restraint use in Learning Disability Services

Keeping clients and staff safe is a priority in our learning disability support services. One of the ways we do this is through training our Support Workers and Service Managers to understand challenging behaviours and create supportive strategies to help enhance a client’s quality of life.  Over the last three years we have seen a […]

A group of five people from the Milchester Players theatre group, including clients and Support Workers from an East Sussex service, are dressed in colourful sea-themed costumes on stage. They are smiling and posing together in outfits such as a fish, mermaid, ship captain, lobster, and shark. A "Learning Disability Week 2025 – Do You See Me?" badge appears in the corner of the image.

Do You See Me?: Celebrating the Milchester Players this Learning Disability Week

For Learning Disability Week 2025, we’re celebrating the amazing Milchester Players – our East Sussex theatre group led by clients and Support Workers at Southdown.