Working together for better support across Sussex
We work with the NHS, local authorities, housing partners, voluntary sector organisations, and community groups to help people access housing, mental health, learning disability, and employment support.
Whether you want to explore a new partnership or make a referral, this page will help you find the right route:
Working in partnership
For commissioners, NHS colleagues, local authorities, housing partners, voluntary sector organisations, and community groups.
Talk to us about shaping services, developing joint work, exploring funding opportunities, or responding to local need.
Make a referral
For social workers, GPs, community nurses, mental health teams, housing teams, and other professionals supporting someone who may need our services.
Find the right referral route for the person you are supporting.
Working in partnership
People’s lives do not fit neatly into service boxes. Housing, health, care, employment, relationships, and community all shape how safe and well someone feels.
That is why we work with partners to design support around people’s lives, not around organisational boundaries.
We are particularly interested in work that helps people get support earlier, reduces gaps between services, strengthens community-based support, and makes pathways easier to navigate.
Partnership conversations could include:
- shaping services around local need
- developing a joint bid or funding opportunity
- testing a new model of support
- improving referral pathways
- bringing VCSE and statutory partners together
- sharing insight, learning, and community knowledge
Why work with Southdown?
We are a Sussex-based not-for-profit organisation with over 50 years’ experience in housing, mental health, learning disability, employment, and homelessness services.
We bring local knowledge, trusted relationships, and practical experience of delivering support in complex systems.
1
Established and embedded
Our teams work within local health, housing, social care, and voluntary sector systems every day. We understand the pressures partners are facing, and the importance of support that is joined-up, realistic, and easy to access.
2
Open to new approaches
We are ready to explore different ways of working where they can improve people’s lives.
That might include shaping commissioned services, developing a joint bid, testing a new model, or bringing partners together around a shared challenge.
3
Strengthening the wider sector
We work alongside VCSE partners, smaller community organisations, statutory services, and people with lived experience to share knowledge, avoid duplication, and make best use of everyone’s strengths.
Our aim is to help build a stronger, more connected system of support.
4
Proven and trusted
Our work is backed by evidence and recognised across the system:
0
people supported in 2024/250
of people said the support they received made a positive difference to their lives0
of tenants said their home is safe and well maintained
- All 24 of our registered learning disability services continue to meet CQC requirements
- Over 50 years of providing housing, care, and support
We also help shape work across the wider system.
Neil Blanchard, our Chief Executive, is involved in the Sussex Mental Health VCSE Strategic Leadership Group, the East Sussex VCSE Alliance, the East Sussex VCSE Commissioning Excellence Programme, and the Sussex Learning Disability VCSE CEO Group.
Jim Aspdin, our Director of Housing and Assets, chairs the South East Supported Housing Group, working with partners to raise standards in supported housing across the region.
For referrers
Make a referral
If you are supporting someone who needs housing, mental health, or learning disability support, we welcome you to explore if one of our services could fit their needs.
Some services accept referrals directly. Others are accessed through local authority, NHS, or partnership routes.
Housing support and homelessness services
Our housing and homelessness services support people to find, keep, or sustain a safe place to live.
Most housing referrals are made through local council housing teams or agreed local referral routes.
Mental Health Support
Our mental health services support people with recovery, wellbeing, crisis prevention, peer support, employment, and community connection.
Most referrals are managed through UOK, the Central Access Point for Sussex. Our mental health pages are being updated — please contact us in the meantime and we will help you find the right route.
Learning Disability Support
Our learning disability services include registered care homes and supported living accommodation. They offer personalised support that helps people live with dignity, choice, and independence.
Referrals and nominations are usually made through Adult Social Care or Social Services.
Ready to work with us?
Whether you're commissioning services, making a referral, or exploring a partnership - we'd love to hear from you.
Explore more about us:
About Southdown
Who we are, how we work, and what drives us to make a difference.
Find out moreHow we work
Our values, the Southdown Beacon, and how we involve clients and tenants in shaping our services.
Find out moreCareers
Find out what it is like to work at Southdown, explore current vacancies and learn more about our culture, benefits and values.
Explore careers