About Us

As one of the first user/survivor-led organisations in the UK, CAPITAL was established to bring West Sussex services, workers, and people experiencing mental health issues together to improve services and train staff, from a lived experience perspective.

 

We were set up in 1987 and:

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• Became the voice and independent representation of the community of mental health service users to change services in West Sussex

• Developed training by people with lived experience to mental health staff, working together with professionals

• Initiated and led self-help projects in the area

• Championed the power of peer support locally

• Led peer support research and took part in national and international evaluation

• Provided independent and academically accredited peer support hospital in-reach services

• Set up monthly peer led Patient View Point forums

• Developed a charter for service user involvement in West Sussex

 

Over 300 people are current members of CAPITAL, who are offered shared learning, training, workshops and community meetings – where people with lived experience lead our work.

 

In 2022 we were commissioned to develop and lead coproduction within the West Sussex Mental Health Community Transformation Programme. We’ve set up a new independent network: LEAG (Lived Experience Advisory Group), and are working on a vision for local mental health services (as part of the priorities of the NHS Long Term Plan).

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CAPITAL was commissioned in 2024 by the Drug and Alcohol Partnership (Public Health, West Sussex County Council) to examine and present the unique views of those with lived experience of addictions across West Sussex. This work is coproducing peer-led trauma-informed workshops, setting up a peer network of people who have lived experience working in the sector, carrying out further research into the needs of people living in temporary accommodation, and managing a Coproduction Community Fund to support community initiatives and peer leadership.

 

CAPITAL supported 1967 people in 2023/4.

 

Looking ahead, we will strengthen our independence, work with new partners and grow our membership in order to develop peer led support and the lived experience voice.