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.
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.
Creating the Lived Experience Advisory Group
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).
Into the future
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.
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.
Our History
We were set up in 1997 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
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developed training by people with lived experience to mental health staff, working together with professionals
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initiated and led self-help projects in the area and championed the power of peer support locally
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led peer support research and took part in national and international evaluation and provided independent and academically accredited peer support hospital in-reach services
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set up monthly peer led Patient View Point forums
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developed a charter for service user involvement in West Sussex.
Our Values, Purpose and Mission
Our Values
- Ensure commissioners make real-life experiences key in decision-making.
- Diversify and expand where we work and who we work with.
- Continue being the voice of lived experience and do what others won’t.
CONNECTIONS
- We connect individuals, groups, and services.
- We champion lived experience in everything we do.
- We bring people together to facilitate change.
EQUALITY
- We believe everyone has a voice.
- We treat everyone individually and don’t discriminate.
- We advocate for others and encourage self-advocacy.
- We stand together to fight stigma in society.
AUTHENTICITY
- We value kindness, care and inclusivity.
- We create welcoming and fun spaces so people can support each other.
- We celebrate lived experience.
Our Purpose
- Influence, design and improve mental health services.
- Erase the stigma that people face and empower people through co-production.
- Bring lived experience to life.
- Provide safe spaces through peer support.
Our Mission
- Ensure lived experience co-production influences services.
- Deliver excellent peer led services.
Our statement was reviewed and updated in 2025 as part of our wider branding and strategy planning.
‘Each time I attend [groups] we learn different things about different sides of mental health.’
CAPITAL member Anonymous
