Celebrating Connection and Collaboration: Reflections on the West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Partnership
As we mark the conclusion of the Drug and Alcohol Partnership with CAPITAL and West Sussex County Council, we take a moment to reflect on what has been an extraordinary period of collaboration, innovation, and meaningful community impact. This work has demonstrated the power of partnership, co-production, and lived experience in shaping services that truly respond to the needs of individuals and communities across West Sussex.
Earlier this year, we were delighted to bring together our small project leaders, commissioners, and the CAPITAL team for a face-to-face event at Field place in Worthing. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity to share updates, celebrate progress, and strengthen the relationships that have underpinned this work. Project representatives spoke with enthusiasm about how the fund has enabled them to deliver vital services within their communities, while commissioners offered important insights into developments from a West Sussex County Council perspective. The collective sense of purpose and achievement in the room was unmistakable.
We were particularly pleased to highlight the work of Carers Support, a project dedicated to providing essential support for those caring for individuals with mental health challenges and substance use disorders. The feedback from participants attending their groups has been deeply moving and speaks to the profound difference this support makes:
“I didn’t think I would talk so much, it was such a relaxing atmosphere.”
“This is my lifeline.”
“Thank you so much for all that you and your colleagues do… it is so heartwarming to know there are truly wonderful people in the world doing wonderful works for others who so desperately need it.”
These voices remind us why this work matters and reinforce the importance of sustaining such support networks.
We have also recently finalised plans for an exciting new community-funded, peer-led project at Ford Prison, with sessions due to begin in February. This six-week programme will be led by the men themselves, taking a holistic approach that extends beyond substance use to explore the broader challenges they face. We hope this pilot will serve as a foundation for expanding peer-led initiatives within the prison system, empowering individuals and fostering meaningful change from within.
Our final celebration event on 5th March at Field place was a great success. This event showcased all eight peer-led community projects, featured contributions from commissioners, and included creative elements such as poetry from individuals with lived experience. It was a powerful and fitting culmination of the partnership’s work.
Our trauma-informed substance use training continues to reach staff across West Sussex. Seven individuals with lived experience are working in partnership with Alcohol Change UK to share their personal journeys of trauma, addiction, and recovery. Their contributions are helping to build understanding, compassion, and more effective responses within services.
Although the Drug and Alcohol Partnership programme is now drawing to a close, its legacy will endure. The relationships formed, the knowledge shared, and the community-led initiatives developed will continue to influence and inspire future work. We are also continuing these important conversations through our podcast, CAPITAL Connections, where we will further explore the themes, learning, and stories that have emerged from this journey.
It is clear that the community fund has been, and continues to be, the difference that makes the difference. As we move forward, we do so with gratitude for all those involved and with confidence in the lasting impact of this remarkable collaboration.
If you would like to discuss ideas for a similar partnership based on the true value of lived experience, please get in touch.