Our impact

Since forming in 2024, LeadPoint has already shown how stronger collaboration across the voluntary sector can improve support for people in Brighton and Hove. By working together, sharing expertise and joining up services, we are helping to reduce duplication, reach more communities and make better use of public funding. The examples below highlight some of the early outcomes delivered through our collective approach.

Creating a single and simplified access point

Southdown and Together Co brought together their two previous referral routes for mental health support and social prescribing into one integrated point of access. This change means residents and referrers no longer need to navigate different entry points to find the help they need. Response times have improved because staff are able to coordinate more efficiently, and the system is easier for primary care and community partners to use.

The integration also reduced administrative pressures, releasing around thirty thousand pounds that could be reinvested directly into frontline delivery. The new approach demonstrates how coordinated working can improve both the resident experience and the sustainability of local services.

Investing in smaller community organisations

At least twenty percent of LeadPoint contracts are delivered by smaller, specialist voluntary sector organisations, including groups such as The Clare Project and Bridging Change. These organisations bring deep knowledge of the communities they support, along with trusted relationships and specialist expertise.

Through shared commissioning and a collaborative approach to contract management, LeadPoint is helping these smaller organisations grow their capacity and increase their reach. This strengthens the wider voluntary sector, gives residents more inclusive and culturally competent support options and ensures that a diverse range of voices is reflected in service design.

Designing better pathways together

Partners within LeadPoint have worked together to create a unified referral pathway that connects carers support, mental health and community advice services. This approach means people can be guided to the right support more quickly and staff across different organisations can work from a more consistent understanding of needs.

Alongside this, the collaborative has piloted common outcome measures across a number of wellbeing projects. This shared approach to evaluation allows commissioners to view impact across the whole system, rather than through separate contract lenses, and supports more prevention focused investment. It also helps services learn from one another and develop more joined up ways of working.

Influencing positive change across the wider system

LeadPoint is contributing actively to the place based strategy in Brighton and Hove, working closely with NHS Sussex to shape how community services align with prevention and urgent care priorities. Through shared insight, data and frontline experience, the collaborative is helping the system understand where community based support can reduce pressure on statutory services.

This includes identifying gaps in provision, highlighting barriers faced by marginalised residents and demonstrating how joined up voluntary sector delivery can help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. By speaking with a unified voice, LeadPoint is supporting commissioners to focus resources where they will have the greatest impact.

A success in social prescribing

Jay, 21, and his mother, Ras, were referred to Together Co’s social prescribing service so that Jay could gain the confidence to do more things independently.

Jay, who has special educational needs, found that everything which was in place for him as a child was not available when he became an adult, and after coming out of lockdown he and Ras did not know where to turn.

Ras said:

“It was getting to the point where Jay and I were in a situation after lockdown where we were both very isolated. All his friends had gone and he was very lonely and very down. We were getting into a cycle which was not healthy for us.

We needed outside help, and I wanted to outsource his care when it came to doing social stuff. It was affecting our mental health and we were arguing a lot. We were stuck in a rut and realised we needed to do something about it.

“Brighton health and wellbeing service got us a social worker and we were sent details for Together Co. When we had our first call with our link worker Rachel, she was amazing. She explained everything, she was very supportive, understanding and caring. I felt that Together Co was genuinely there to help. We felt like we were being heard.”

Rachel gave Ras and Jay links to organisations including ESTEEM in Shoreham, which offers social, wellbeing, volunteering, and mentoring opportunities to young adults aged 14-26, and Audio Active, a non-profit organisation that creates social change through music and develops emerging talent.

Ras said:

“Jay loves music and started going there on a Monday and Tuesday. He also volunteered for the charity Pelican Parcels in their warehouse. It opened up doors to places we didn’t know existed.

He’s also on the waiting list for Gig Buddies so he can go and enjoy live music. What I wanted was for Jay to be integrated into the mainstream. I used to take him to concerts, but he doesn’t want to go with his mum.

During our time with the social prescribing service, Rachel checked in with us. If I had not had her I don’t know what we would have done. She was so lovely and she totally understood. I felt like there was somebody on our side and that she valued us. She treated us like human beings.

The aim is for Jay to be out there and to have a fulfilling life. He’s volunteering next year in Costa Rica doing marine conservation with Raleigh International, so he’s going to be fundraising for that.

When Children with special educational needs get to 18 all the summer camps and things stop. When you are in the dark, it’s very isolating. It was having a knock-on effect on my life. I did not want to go and socialise.

All of the things we did with Together Co, the volunteering, it has given us more options so Jay can go and have great experiences.

Jay’s my responsibility, I have to equip him with all the tools he needs. Through Together Co, Jay has met lots of people and made some great friends. It gives him purpose to get up and do something. He’s really keen to give it his best shot and now he has the self-esteem and confidence to go out with his friends.

Rachel had to deal with our frustration and upset but she was so kind throughout. She made us feel heard. She was exceptional.”

Innovation and collaboration for better outcomes

Impact Initiatives, as lead provider on the Ageing Well partnership, created and delivered The Age of Engagement conference which brought together sector leaders, partners and older people at this event for all. The event explored how co-produced approaches can shape more responsive community services in our city. Held at the University of Brighton, the day created space for practical learning, collaboration and amplifying the voices of older residents.

Through a series of morning talks from sector leaders, delegates gained insight into effective engagement methods and the value of older people steering design and delivery. Afternoon workshops enabled participants to dive deeper into real-world practice, sharing tools, challenges and successes from local projects. The event also featured a joyful exhibition of photographs from the annual Ageing Well Festival, celebrating creativity and connection within the community. With 100 free places available, the conference provided an important platform for strengthening partnerships and ensuring that older people remain central to how services evolve across Brighton and Hove.

Developing Intersectional Opportunities

Through our working together to establish LeadPoint, The Carers Centre and Southdown teams became more aware of the need to integrate support services for those living with mental health conditions and for their friend/family carers. As a result, the Carers Centre became a new partner in the UOK programme to provide holistic, inclusive support for carers impacted by their own mental health and that of a loved one. Both organisations recognise the deep interconnection between mental health and caring responsibilities, where carers often experience emotional strain and isolation. By working together, they aim to create a collaborative network that offers practical help, emotional support, and accessible resources. This partnership ensures that carers are not overlooked in mental health services and that those living with mental health conditions benefit from a wraparound approach, fostering resilience, wellbeing, and community connection across Brighton & Hove.