Activists fearing for mental health provision at the Wellbeing Hub in Preston Park, Brighton, called on elected members to seek answers about upcoming services.

Hub visitors staged a modest demonstration outside Hove Town Hall before Brighton and Hove City Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee gathered on Tuesday (April 21), with neighbourhood mental health teams listed for discussion.

Wellbeing Hub service user Patrick Ward, who also spoke at a full council session last month, requested transparency about developments.

He urged the committee to assess how planned alterations to support services at the hub on Preston Park Avenue would impact vulnerable individuals who would be pushed into crisis situations.

Mr Ward also called on councillors to question service provider Southdown regarding the limited drop-in and short-term support set to replace ongoing, relationship-based care.

Raising additional queries, Mr Ward questioned what specific measures existed to prevent support loss once the current three-month transition period ended, how all service users including those unable to attend sessions or use digital feedback would be genuinely included, and how Southdown would evaluate and be responsible for any rise in crisis referrals or unmet need resulting from these alterations.

Southdown’s chief operating officer Matt Gough explained the reasoning and method behind modifications to mental health services delivered by the organisation, a voluntary community social enterprise.

Mr Gough acknowledged the changes would impact current service users.

He explained the alterations were being implemented across East Sussex as well as Brighton and Hove and encompassed steps to address insufficient provision in countryside areas.

Mr Gough stated there was clear understanding that community mental health support demand could not be fully met, with expansion of services to more people being a significant priority.

Available services comprised peer groups, social space and crisis support.

The proposed facilitated peer groups represented a fresh option with a set eight-session programme. Mr Gough indicated this would allow assistance for 500 individuals annually.

The social space would resemble the current service, with approximately 400 people currently attending regularly.

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove chairman Geoffrey Bowden reported that a Wellbeing Hub client had contacted the organisation to express concern about the feedback and consultation approach.

Mr Bowden commented on the work being undertaken while questioning whether the motivation was financial savings or service improvement.

Mr Gough stated the organisation was conducting individual discussions with clients about their worries.

He explained Southdown’s funding was directed entirely into service delivery as it operated as a non-profit entity.

Labour councillor Sam Parrott received applause from Wellbeing Hub clients in the public seating when she voiced concerns about openness regarding current provision and future alternatives.

She pointed out that East Sussex differed significantly from Brighton and Hove, with a distinct population having particular requirements. The city faced substantial health disparities and considerable inequalities in wealth, education and life expectancy, and she had not heard how services would be delivered appropriately in Brighton and Hove.

Mr Gough outlined that previous provision had included what was now termed social space, featuring singing, art and craft groups, yoga and fitness sessions.

He explained the current requirement was support for new people wishing to access services, with a peer group session being the new component, which meant reducing the previous service to accommodate new and existing users.

Cllr Parrott requested the committee review Southdown’s service changes at the Wellbeing Hub at a future meeting, which was approved.