Celebrating Community: UOK Hosts Frontline Workers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Posted on 16 May 2025

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, our UOK frontline workers across Brighton & Hove came together on Tuesday, 13th May, at Southdown’s office in Isetta Square for a gathering hosted by UOK. The event provided a valuable opportunity for those working on the ground in mental health, wellbeing, and community services to pause, connect, and reflect on what community truly means to them.

The lunch-hour event featured light-hearted thoughtful conversations and activities designed to reflect and connect. Participants enjoyed lunch and music while getting to know each other, discovering shared passions, perspectives, and new possibilities for collaboration.

As people introduced themselves in a circle, we asked them:

What does community mean to you? The responses were powerful and moving.

Some spoke about the warmth and freedom that comes from being part of a group where they can simply be themselves. Others shared how community means being able to access health and wellbeing close to home so that no one has to travel far or feel isolated when in need.

August Reid from The Clare Project, one of the UOK partners, reflected on community as an act of solidarity – a reminder that people don’t have to navigate difficult experiences alone. Others echoed this sentiment, sharing how small gestures like dropping a voice note to a friend can be powerful acts of connection, reminding us we are not alone.

We also shared postcards inspired by the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, encouraging attendees to reflect on how they look after their own wellbeing through community. The responses were a testament to the meaningful work our frontline partners do every day, and the importance of supporting those who support others.

This event was a simple but powerful reminder: community is built in moments of sharing, listening, and laughter. It was a joy to hold space for our frontline workers to come together, and their energy and reflections made it clear, they felt the same way.