CAPITAL Newsletter & Diary of Events – May 2026

CAPITAL Update

New CAPITAL Volunteer and Job Opportunities 
We’re excited to share an array of recruitment opportunities! Including paid roles: Lived Experience Recovery Worker pilot roles (West Sussex inpatient settings, seeing CAPITAL working together with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust), Lived Experience Advisory Group (WSX LEAG) Deputy Co-production Lead, Community & Engagement Facilitator again for WSX LEAG. 

Plus voluntary roles: CAPITAL Trustees, Patient View Point Volunteers (Inpatient setting, West Sussex wards) CAPITAL Volunteers (across all areas) 

To view all details about these roles, plus links to apply, please go to www.capitalcharity.org/job-opportunities 

Looking for support with a new CAPITAL Walking with Wheels Group  

We are pleased to share we have funding for a new peer led, inclusive community group, based in Mid Sussex and surrounds (Haywards Heath etc), bringing together: People with mobility challenges including wheelchair users, people without mobility challenges but all with lived experience of mental health challenges. Given the grant, we are looking for partners and individuals to help shape and run this.  

Get in touch to learn more: [email protected]  

Drug and Alcohol Partnership Update and Looking Ahead
As many of you know, we recently said a heartfelt goodbye to Mark Mills, whose work as Project Assistant on the Drug and Alcohol (DAP) project has been invaluable. Mark’s dedication, insight, and commitment to championing lived experience have made a real difference, and he will be greatly missed by all of us. 

Due to wider council restructures and funding cuts, the DAP project will not be continuing in its current form. We appreciate that this may come as disappointing news, especially for those who have been closely involved. However, the core values of the project, peer leadership, trauma‑informed practice, and lived experience at the centre remain firmly embedded in our ongoing work. 

We are pleased to share that the Community Fund–supported projects continue to grow and evolve, driven by the creativity and passion of those leading them. In addition, the Alcohol Change UK trauma‑informed substance use training for frontline staff will continue to include lived experience involvement, ensuring that real voices remain at the heart of professional learning.

Both CAPITAL and West Sussex County Council are currently undertaking a full evaluation of the DAP work. Once completed, we will share the findings with you, as they will play an important role in shaping future approaches to co‑production and lived experience involvement across the county. 

We are also delighted to confirm that we have secured a slot to present at NHS England’s “Shine a Light on Co‑production” webinar this summer. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strengths, learning, and impact of the work we have achieved together country wide. 

We will continue to keep you updated as new developments unfold. 

Ride for CAPITAL fundraising – 5 weeks to go!
Thanks so much to Landlink Estates, who are cycling the South Downs Way – 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne – to raise funds for CAPITAL! With their amazing dedication, and training underway, please consider donating and supporting. The ride will be on the 28th and 29th May. 
Read more and donate here: Fundraiser by Landlink Estates : Ride for Capital

Email with any questions: [email protected] 

Membership & Events Updates

Upcoming Peer Support Opportunities
CAPITAL is expanding its peer specialist offer, with several new groups launching soon: Three peer specialist drop‑ins Welcoming, supportive spaces facilitated by trained peer specialists. 

• An online men’s group A confidential space for men to connect, share experiences, and support one another. 

• An online eating disorder support group Peer‑led, compassionate, and open to anyone seeking connection around recovery. 

• A drug and alcohol harm‑focused in‑person art group A creative, non‑judgemental space exploring harm reduction, expression, and wellbeing through art.
   

More details on the men’s group: CAPITAL Peer-led Men’s Group 6 week online drop in. A peer‑led online space for men (18+) to talk, listen, and connect. Starts Monday 1st June • 2–4pm, then every other Monday for 6 sessions.  

What We’ll Cover:  

-Week 1 (01/06/26) Building safety & settling in  

-Week 2 (15/06/26) Stress & everyday pressures  

-Week 3 (29/06/26) Emotions & bottling things up 

-Week 4 (13/07/26) Relationships & loneliness 

-Week 5(27/07/26) Coping skills & small wins 

-Week 6 (10/08/26) Reflection & next steps 

No pressure. Just real conversations. All men welcome. 
Full details including dates, times, and how to join will be shared very soon. 
To express interest or know more email: [email protected]. 
 

Bognor Updates 

Our wonderful volunteers and members at the Bognor group raised £76 fundraising at The Bonito Lounge for art materials the end of March by selling more of their homemade crafts! They also had a party where member Emma baked.

We are doing Chichester Pride 2026! We have all the volunteers we need set up, but feel free to get a ticket and come see us.  

Chichester Pride will be held on Saturday 23rd May, where the parade will run from 12.45 and the main event is 12-7pm. Grab tickets if you’d like to come along. 

The Saturday Art group will be held at a new location, starting: Saturday 9th May at 1.30-4pm. Then every other Saturday 1.30-4pm as follows: 23/05/2026, 06/06/26, 20/06/26, 04/07/26, 18/07/26. Venue: CGL, 14 Aldwick Road, Bognor, PO21 2LJ. 

Email with any questions: [email protected] 

Join us for the next Monthly Online Members meeting!
Every last Wednesday of the month at 6pm. Linked in the newsletter:

Contact Lin with any questions lin.gibbs@capitalcharity.org

CAPITAL Connections Podcast – Episode 2 now online!

We are excited to share our second podcast episode, this time with Sara and Fiona Palmer – talking about trauma informed substance use training. 

Find us on YouTube (linked below) or Spotify under CAPITAL Connections. 

Contact [email protected] with any questions

Fundraising – Please consider donating to CAPITAL

Support CAPITAL & Win Big! Join the Giving Lottery for just £1 per ticket. Every ticket helps and you could be a winner whilst your support makes a real difference.
Read more: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/capital-project-trust

There’s also EasyFundraising, which allows you to donate each time you shop online at over 7000 shops; through to raising funds however you see fit – perhaps cake sales, or car washing, or even running a marathon! You can also nominate CAPITAL for Benefact’s Movement for Good, with a draw every 3 months. Winning charities can win £1000! You can only apply once.
Read more: https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000?dm_i=6MG6,1B411,6I0SX2,64ZE0,1

Alternatively, you can help by sharing our social media posts to raise awareness of our work (our social pages are linked below) by volunteering or telling us about any fundraising opportunities you hear about. Whatever you do to support us, now or in the future, we want to say a big THANK YOU!

Other Opportunities and Information
See PDF download for full information

Follow us!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Capitalcharityuk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/capital_charity
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/capital-charity-uk
Spotify: CAPITAL Connections
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CAPITAL_Charity

Website: www.capitalcharity.org
CAPITAL Impact Solutions: www.capitalimpactsolutions.co.uk

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01243 869662