Brighton Recovery College

The Sussex Recovery College aims to meet the diverse mental health needs of the Sussex population, including Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex.

Recovery Colleges aim to be accessible to everyone in the community through a co-produced educational model. This approach serves as a preventative measure for individuals at greater risk of experiencing health inequalities and marginalisation. Research indicates that Recovery Colleges can reduce community mental health contact hours, lower the number and duration of inpatient admissions, decrease crisis episodes, and lessen the associated impacts on individuals and their families (Bourne et al., 2018).

The Recovery College collaborates with service users, carers, and families to create and deliver educational programs that support well-being and the self-management of mental health. It focuses on recovery by emphasising strengths, progress, and potential. While the college follows an educational model rather than a clinical one, its programs can complement clinical treatment or therapies to enhance recovery and effectiveness.

The model is based on the principle of co-production, where subject matter experts - typically clinicians - work together with Peer Trainers, who are trained individuals with personal experience of using mental health services.

The contract is currently commissioned directly by Sussex Commissioners. It is agreed that the responsibility for ongoing commissioning is delegated to SPFT, with the intention that SPFT issue a contract to commence 1st October 2025.

The contract will be for one year, to the end of September 2026. It is intended that during the year, the Sussex Recovery College will be reviewed with the intention to procure a new solution commencing 1st October 2026.

The contract covered by this strategy is therefore for 12 months but will include the option to extend for a further period to allow for any delays in the redesign/procurement process. Notice will be set at 3 months.

The Authority is intending to award a contract an existing provider following most suitable supplier. Approximate lifetime contract value £210,000 for intitial contract period and £210,000 optional extension(s) Contract dates: Initial contract period 01/10/2025 - 30/09/2026. Option to extend by 12 months