Our Impact 2025–26: helping people feel safe, be well and live the life they choose

Posted on 10 August 2026

Southdown has launched its Impact Report 2025–26, sharing the difference our housing, mental health and employment support and Learning Disability support has made in people’s lives across Sussex.

The report brings together stories from the people we support alongside highlights from across our work – from safe housing and mental health support to building confidence, independence and opportunities for employment.

During a challenging year for housing, mental health and social care, we supported 11,075 people across Sussex while continuing to strengthen partnerships and develop support that is more connected around people’s lives.

At the heart of the report are the experiences of people themselves.

For Stuart, having somewhere he could call home changed what felt possible.

“Peace is the big difference between here and a hostel. You feel calmer. You can start planning.”

After caring for his mum for five years, Stuart was evicted a month after she died and spent more than a year living in a hostel. With support from an outreach team, he was able to move into his own home, while his Housing Support Specialist helped him navigate practical challenges.

“Trust means your mental state gets better, focus gets better, and you can see a future. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Support shaped around people

For Juliet, impact has meant having more say in the support she receives.

Juliet was closely involved in developing her own Positive Behaviour Support plan. Together with staff, she identified situations she finds difficult and chose tools to help communicate how she is feeling.

“I felt a bit nervous when I did the presentation, but it was fun. I was getting my confidence up. I felt listened to.”

Juliet describes becoming more independent, building relationships, managing her money and making more of her own choices.

“Having this plan is helping me be more independent, and I now have tools to help me manage my feelings. I have less anxiety now.”

Across our Learning Disability services, Positive Behaviour Support is helping people feel safer, more independent and better supported. Over the past three years, physical restraint has reduced by 65% and personal safety techniques by 73%.

Support when it matters

In mental health, we continued working with NHS, primary care and voluntary sector partners to make support easier to access and more connected. This included developing Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams and continuing to lead the UOK mental health partnership across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex.

For Alex, Staying Well has provided a supportive environment during times of mental distress and helped make other services feel more accessible.

“It’s helped me build trust and relationships with services. Spaces that are person-centred and that don’t make you feel like a problem.”

Alex also describes Staying Well as an alternative to A&E when they need support, providing somewhere to calm down and talk things through.

Our impact at a glance

A safe home and a sense of belonging

Safe, stable housing remains an important foundation for wellbeing and independence. During 2025–26, we developed a new Housing Strategy and progressed plans to grow our housing offer.

Long-term tenant Nigel describes how having a secure home has helped him stay connected to family, friends and his community: “Having the stability of this home means I can look after my mum nearby and maintain my friendships.”

Listening and learning

Listening to clients and tenants continues to shape how we improve. In our annual satisfaction survey, 93% of people said they felt welcome and safe, 92% felt understood, accepted and respected, and 90% were satisfied with the support they received.

Feedback also showed where we need to do better, including making it clearer how people’s views lead to change. Clients and tenants have contributed through workshops, conversations and co-production to help improve our services.

Looking ahead

2025–26 marked the first year of our 2025–30 Strategy. We will continue working to connect housing, health and support, expand access to safe homes, create more opportunities for employment, volunteering and meaningful purpose, and strengthen partnerships.

Building on more than 50 years in Sussex, our focus remains on support that is personal, connected and grounded in what matters to each person.

Read our full Impact Report 2025–26 to hear more from the people we support and explore our progress, achievements and priorities for the future.

An Easy Read version of the report is also available.