Your Voice Matters: Join the West Sussex Lived Experience Advisory Group & Help Shape Mental Health Services

By Kirsty Potter 29th January 2026

At CAPITAL, we believe that real change in mental health support services happens when those with lived experience are always included. 

That is why we host and coordinate the West Sussex Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), a dedicated, independent network of people with lived or living experience of mental health.

We are also pleased to share that WSX LEAG has secured a new contract for the year ahead, funded by BHT Sussex as part of the updated Pathfinder service and Mental Health Support Services. This renewal reflects the huge impact LEAG members have made and ensures our work can continue to grow. 

Why LEAG Exists & Updates

LEAG acts as a bridge between service users, local providers and decision-makers. The WSX LEAG work side-by-side with BHT Sussex, West Sussex Mental Health Support Services, NHS Sussex, Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT) plus voluntary organisations and other lived experience networks to co-produce better, more inclusive services that truly reflect people’s needs. As part of the broader Sussex network (Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex), to gather every two months under the SCALE to exchange ideas and maximise impact. 

With an initial 12 month contract under BHT Sussex, the WSX LEAG are looking forward to building on this momentum, strengthening co-production and continuing to ensure services reflect the needs of the communities. 

The WSX LEAG are excited to share to have recently completed a coproduced communications focus group, aimed at updating and improving communications, including our logo, webpage and marketing materials. This means the LEAG page and associated materials are now more up to date and hold more relevant information. The goal is to make it clearer, more welcoming and more useful to everyone interested. 

What We’ve Achieved (and What You Could Help With)

Throughout the first chapter, the WSX LEAG team has made a real difference. Here are just some highlights: 

  • Co-production and delivery of training for new LEAG members. 
  • Input into the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system to ensure lived experience perspectives are built in. 
  • Ongoing advisory work with Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams (NMHTs) development. 
  • In 2024 to 2025 alone, more than 800 lived experience hours contributed in West Sussex and 169 meetings attended by LEAG members. 
  • Established, delivered and evaluated a peer-led trauma group for the LEAG. 
  • Played a part in the West Sussex Mental Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. 
  • Influenced the MHSS tender principles, specification and evaluation. 
  • Created the Change The Language project and guide, two years of work now being adopted across the system. 
  • Facilitated monthly Co-production Discussion Forums, attracting 10 to 20 people each. 

These achievements reflect the incredible impact recognised through newly renewed contract, a testament to the voices, insight and hard work of our members. This has all been achieved by a volunteer team whose time, passion and commitment make it possible.

What You Can Expect as a LEAG Member

Joining the LEAG means stepping into a supportive, empowering community where your experience is valued. When you become a member, you can: 

  • Learn about how mental health support services are designed, commissioned and run in Sussex. 
  • Receive support to share your story in meaningful, safe ways. 
  • Influence and innovate services and help shape real decisions that affect people. 
  • Access paid opportunities, where available, for meeting attendance or project contribution. 
  • Build skills, confidence, connections and community. 
  • Engage in volunteering pathways and growth opportunities. 

While we cannot guarantee paid roles for every activity, we strive to make as many opportunities as possible available to our members. 

Why Your Participation Is Crucial

Mental health services often operate based on policies, practices, and assumptions, but those are only meaningful if they work for the people who use them. Without lived experience voices influencing decisions, services risk being out of touch, ineffective, or even harmful.

By joining LEAG, you bring:

  • Authentic insight that no textbook or manual can replicate.

  • Credibility – lived experience speaks powerfully in meetings, evaluations, commissioning rounds.

  • Accountability – decision-makers are more likely to listen when their proposals are informed by real experience.

  • Innovation – the people who live, breathe, and survive these systems often bring the best ideas for change.

Together, we can push for mental health services that listen, adapt, and genuinely care.

Take a Look & Spread the Word

Mental health support services often operate based on policies, practices and assumptions, but those are only meaningful if they work for the people who use them. Without lived experience voices influencing decisions, services risk being out of touch, ineffective or even harmful. 

By joining LEAG, you bring: 

  • Authentic insight that no textbook or manual can replicate. 
  • Credibility, lived experience speaks powerfully in meetings, evaluations and commissioning rounds. 
  • Accountability, decision-makers are more likely to listen when their proposals are informed by real experience. 
  • Innovation, the people who live, breathe and survive these systems often bring the best ideas for change. 

There has never been a better time to get involved. Your voice can influence what comes next. Together, we can push for mental health support services that listen, adapt and genuinely care. 

Ready to Join or Learn More?

  • We would love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] with any questions about joining the WSX LEAG.

  • Read more on our LEAG Page

  • Alternatively, if you are ready to apply, scan the QR code or complete the online enquiry form below.

WSX LEAG Enquiry Form

If you would like help filling in the form, or want to talk through whether it is right for you, we are here to support.  

Your lived experience is not only valid, it is powerful. By joining WSX LEAG, you can help ensure mental health support services in West Sussex are not just by professionals but with the people they aim to serve. Your voice, your story and your wisdom are what drive lasting change. Let us do this together.