Petition comments, all – from East Sussex, the UK and around the world
We provide a much needed, unique and cost effective service to the people of East Sussex. It is
already overstretched and it would be really unfair in these hard times to deny people access.
Peer Support brings Hope to people that recovery is possible. Being with someone who has travelled
a similar path and managed to find a way through the trauma that a diagnosis can bring, is a
powerful example for people when they are struggling.
I have known a lot of people who have been helped by Recovery Partners. Peer support is an
evidence based cost effective approach to supporting people's recovery. Recovery Partners provide
a much needed service in East Sussex.
This service is vital and must be maintained!
I have had support from Recovery Partners and found that I was able to move forward in my
recovery. A very impressive and professional firm.
I don't think I be alive today without my peer support worker
This is disgraceful. East Sussex County Council should be ashamed of itself. These cuts will result in it
falling still further behind the national curve.
I have seen firsthand the brilliant work recovery partners do
Recovery Partners offers support to those who struggle to engage with Health and Social Services. It
can be a safety net. It offers hope.
Psychological research is showing time and time again that these kinds of services are having
positive effects on people's wellbeing. To take that away will cause harm. Please research and
reconsider.
It is so important that peers lead and model recovery to others. This service runs on a shoestring but
could achieve so much more if fully funded, saving costs but more importantly improving and saving
lives.
We cannot emphasise enough that this is an essential and vital service, irreplaceable and not able to
be absorbed within the other mental health services
Economic madness to cut this service, unfair and immoral too.
These cuts go against every social policy agreement. Shame.
Peer support is great value and one of the things we should be supporting for progressive mental
health to flourish
A Project like peer partners is an excellent example of the sort of community based effective, and
value for money, support that is relevant not just now but part of a trend and process that is part of
future strategies for our national health and well being. This particular project is highly effective. It is
essential it receives continued support.
Peer support is effective and makes good economic sense too. It's important for people with mental
health issues to have choice and access to peer support if they want it.
This is service is an asset to the local community serving some of societies most vulnerable people in
an incredibly caring and cost effective way. Cutting their funding will leave people in need of support
and will only cost more money in the long run.
Essential service PLEASE continue funding so helps to challenge the stigma of mental illness
I work as a clinical psychologist and see the enormous benefit of peer support for people. It is so
often a vital part of a person's recovery and makes my work with clients more successful.
Peer support works, and investment in it should be increasing, not diminishing - it's very costeffective and it offers people choice and an alternative to statutory services.
No-one really know what it's like until they have been in that dark, confusing place. Who better to
give others hope and support.
Peer Support is an integral part of someone's mental health recovery and not an add-on. Peers offer
hope, inspiration and support to those recovering from mental health problems, help them achieve
their dreams and aspirations using their own experiences. Save this service and save lives.
A vital service to help people with mental illness move on with life. Reduces pressure on statutory
services. Provides employment and training for those living with mental illness as well. Cost effective
in every way.
This is a vital resources for its consumers and the wider community
Recovery Partners peer specialists give hope and practical specific support for people coping with,
and recovering from, mental health difficulties. Please support their work and continue to fund
them.
This would be a tragedy if such a fine service was lost. It is the only service I know that actually
empowers individuals to take charge of their own recovery instead of becoming more helpless and
more hopeless.
Our work prevents a need for further, more costly support. It promotes inclusivity in society for our
clients and inspires hope for a positive future.
We need ''a little bit of help from our friends"
Peer support is such an excellent resource in so many situations, particularly those where people are
left feeling hopeless and often stigmatised.
Recovery Partners is a small yet effective support for people experiencing mental health challenges
and recovering from crisis. I work for Recovery Partners and see the excellent work done by peers in
our community. Also as an employer Recovery Partners supports and provides a worthwhile way to
use our own experiences of peer support and recovery for a wider benefit. Recently I've suffered a
severe episode of depression and talking to people like my colleagues who have their own
experiences makes recovery more achievable. Generally speaking peer support is more empathetic
and effective than support from mental health services
Peer Support has and is continuing to have a positive impact on vulnerable people's lives. It saves
the government a lot of money and it empowers people with mental health problems to make
positive changes in their lives by providing them with support from someone with lived experience.
Recovery Partners provide an outstanding, supportive and highly relevant service for people with
mental health difficulties. Increasing numbers of people are facing these challenges and finding very
few sources of support remain available or accessible. Due to the exceptional value for money this
service provides, surely their funding should be INCREASED rather than reduced?
The more services like this are cut the more pressure there will be on statutory services. When they
cut statutory services the quality of life of the whole community will suffer. The people who most
need these services will continue to experience issues that most of us would find very difficult to
cope with. Please don't be short sighted save this very important specialist service.
Recovery Partners has completely tuned my life around. It has given me hope, inspiration and the
confidence that I need to make important changes in my life.
Recovery Partners provide vulnerable and often isolated people with essential mental health
support services. It is absolutely vital that it is maintained in order to safeguard their future health
and wellbeing.
Funds for these services should be increased not cut
My daughter wouldn’t be here if it wasn't for these services. Mental health affects everyone one
way or another. The services need to be improved not cut. Early help means the opportunity of life
for so many people. Many police still aren't trained in dealing with people with mental health.
The ambulance service is missing its targets already. How much time do you want to waste on other
resources when they should be fighting crime and saving lives? Keep everyone safer. Do not make
cuts to cost more money and damage in the long run. Thank you
There are vulnerable people who suffer mental health challenges that can unnecessary spiral out of
control when without the much needed help or support required on their journey to recovery. These
are the people who are waiting longer for the NHS services and are at times given insufficient help
and support when needed. In contrast, Recovery Partners provide a vital source of support and help
to those people who needs are not are being fully met by the current mental health system. Based
on mental health well-being reports on Recovery Partners as a service they are providing an
excellent service, which far exceeds an average rating of service.
The NHS in East Sussex saves hundreds of thousands of pounds because 47A Western Road Your
Way centre helps people like me stay out of mental hospital and services.
Economics gone mad. Listen to Sir Vince Cable
Recovery Partners is a hugely valuable organisation for people with mental health problems. It offers
a very positive way forward and has helped many people. Mental health is already underfunded. A
cut to this extremely important frontline service would mean many people who could have been
helped to better health and a happier, more productive and worthwhile life will lose that chance and
will suffer.
I know how important this is too many people across east Sussex including one of my closest and
dearest friends! Give this a read and give it a sign... You never know when something like this can
truly help a family member, a friend or even yourself.
This is a unique project which provides services not provided elsewhere - it is a step away from
Social Services and into the community.
The Partners' own experience puts them in an exceptional position to give help to others who need
it. Support by peers, that is support from people who know personally the difficulties clients may
face, and who then operate within a professional and supportive network is extremely important in
the client's ability to have faith in their helpers, and quite different from being assessed or advised
by professionals who may have no personal experience of mental health challenges. The principle is
the same as Counsellors being required to experience their own therapy, as it creates empathy and
humility. My impression of the level of training and supervision within Recovery Partners is that it is
very good and continuous, meaning that there is protection for all. The organisation seems
extremely well thought-out and most of seems very successful in helping people on the road to
improving their current life circumstances.
Services that those in need feel able and are willing to access -like that offered by Recovery Partners
-are far too precious a resource to be put under threat by withdrawing their funding. I'd beg
commissioners to see past the expenditure on paper and think about the consequences for those
hundreds of people supported in crisis and given hope through this service - what would happen if it
were to cease to exist?
This service is a vital form of support post crisis and helps avoid further situations developing
Mental health needs more investment not less. There but for the grace of God go all of us.
Do you cover Mid Sussex Too?
This is not an extra but should be an integral part of the local service. Peer support is very effective
support for recovery.
This is such a valuable resource and would be a huge loss if funding is not continued.
Recovery partners fantastic-for both peers and peers
26% said the service literally saved their lives...!
I have worked directly alongside a number of staff from Recovery Partners and have found them to
be an invaluable resource. More importantly, the people they work with have such positive things to
say about them and comment on the impact they have on their lives. They have such a unique
empathetic approach; it would be a real loss if funding was discontinued.
Given the recent media revelation about the dire situation of mental health services and the
increase in mental health problems and suicides, how can responsible commissioners think of
cutting this important service?
All the best with this really worthwhile and important campaign
Please don't cut the service and support from recovery partners. They are literally a life line for so
many people
Stop the cuts to mental health services including this charity.
Peer support is vital, it works and it saves money (your/our money) in the long term.
Please listen to the evidence of the service users and carers
With the service having such good feedback, and potentially saving money elsewhere (e.g. inpatient
mental health, primary care/GP) it seems a shame the continuation of funding is being questioned.
Recovery Partners are a fantastic team and through sharing experiences enable others to make their
own fantastic strides in mental health recovery.
Valued service that is crucial to so many. Should be expanded not cut.
When I was unwell, I didn't have this kind of support. I wish I had.
Services like this should be expanded not subject to cuts
As a member of the advisory board I am very aware of the impact that Recovery Partners work is
having and the excellent value for money it represents.
Peer support is a cost effective way of providing and improving mental health services. Surely East
Sussex won't be so short sighted as to cut this fantastic service. Good luck with your campaign.
Brush away the cobwebs, let's be clear we need this service to expand, not diminish.
Adult Social care services such as recovery partners provide a vital preventative service. Cutting
funding for adult social care will only cause an increase in long term costs in costs on local NHS
Services. I have fund raised for Recovery Partners and believe they provide a vital service to a
vulnerable portion of our population.
Peer support is an essential support and it complements other health services
Services such as these are vital for the health of our community/society. Without this valuable
service, the impact on individuals and the community is felt as people may become unwell putting
further strain on a struggling mental health services. Prevention is the best strategy.
As a member of the Advisory Group & having worked voluntarily with Recovery Partners over the
last few years, I fully support this petition to preserve funding for this vital service
Yet again this government oppresses the needy and sick and mental health is the first to oppress
I think mental health care is very important, and needs funding to avoid more health problems later.
I sincerely believe that all our public services are under threat. Mental health services are invisible
and therefore more vulnerable. The user groups are often discarded to roam the streets. Things are
near breaking point. Very soon these services will be no more.
Those who can afford it should pay more income and council tax to fund these vital services. Strange
that there is always money available for useless military campaigns and weapons
Recovery Partners peer support offers such tremendous help to those who use their services and to
the fully trained Peers who provide a unique help to others. Having both experienced mental
distress and then trained as a peer support worker the improvement in my own health has been
amazing. I learned how to manage my own health through the W RAP training and then being
employed in the psychological services in Hailsham, Sussex, my confidence grew beyond all my
expectations, and I hope the work I was able to do, working at a slightly different perspective after a
lifetime struggling with my own mental health, enabled others to find their own way of taking
control of their own problems. Recovery Partners is in my opinion an essential part of a seriously
underfunded, understaffed service, so PLEASE find the funding to keep. this essential service
available to everyone who can regain R E C O V E R Y using this invaluable organisation.
Love support in bipolar group
As so many of our psychiatric hospitals have been closed the service provided by this organisation is
essential.
It's shocking the way that on-the-ground resources for mental health are being cut back at a time
when we are seeing a huge increase in numbers of homeless people on our streets.
We need more recovery projects not less!
This service is crucial in East Sussex
Not only is peer support an essential support for many people, it is also a shrewd strategic
investment in creating sustainable communities - which is of particular importance in these times of
shrinking social care provision.
The service provided much needed, most beneficial and most supportive help and action when my
daughter was very ill. Since then, the service has also been an enormous part of her initial recovery,
progressing on to being part of her employed life and now part of her success in training to be an
OT. Without so much support, she and many others (and their families) are unlikely to have made all
those steps towards MUCH happier and fulfilling lives. Without Recovery Partners motivating and
compassionate support they may well have continued to cost the taxpayer considerable sums of
money whilst only living half or less a life.
There is already a paucity of mental health services in our area and this is particularly true in respect
of peer led support services. In the current climate of budget restrictions this kind of support is a key
part of mental health services and should be prioritised.
The work of Recovery Partners represents a cost-effective way of assisting those with mental health
challenges on their road to recovery. It reflects local need and offers quality help to those in most
need through partnership working in a model that government is supposed to be promoting.
Recovery Partners provided an invaluable and perfect answer to what we needed - the training of
our own members and in the way we wanted. Our Peer Mentors are able to go on and help others in
our groups. If we can’t get our Peer Mentors trained like this, our whole ethos will be destroyed and
I believe it will see the collapse of what we have achieved but more importantly, could continue to
achieve. Anna provided a professional and empathetic training second to none! It is my view that
Recovery Partners should keep their funding. Anna trained 10 Peer Mentors and they are looking
after the wellbeing of over another 50 plus group members who will in turn will want to give
something back to the community that helped them. This service is vital!
Mental illness is never given enough funding. Cutting existing services would be a catastrophe.
Mental health services are crucial, usually more so for those with little or no income...please do not
cut funding. This is something that not only saves lives, but can make them much better to live,
quality wise...
Commissions, Please continue funding Recovery Partners in full-- East Sussex mental health services
because mental health care is very important service. Many people don't have the funds to attend
these services.
WHAT A ROTTEN IDEA.
No excuses, now that Cameron has got his war and that his new aircraft is now 'on order' despite the
UK's crippling debts, now do the decent thing and protect all UK citizens, not just arms mfrs and
shareholders along with their Parliamentary lobby friends.
As a therapist in an acute service with NHS Sussex Community Trust, I witness how many of our
patients have mental health problems and lack effective intervention. Mental Health services such as
Recovery Partners are cost effective and successful in helping people manage their mental health
humanely. Removing this powerful safety net means further increased demand on hospital, GPs and
community services in. perpetual cycle of crisis intervention. This is more costly financially but more
importantly in terms of human suffering.
So many people suffer mental health challenges at some point in their lives. This does not mean they
are not valuable members of our society. We need services like this, that help people in need, to
(re)integrate.
Important that mental health charities are supported not diminished, especially when statutory
services under such pressure. Peer support particularly important and hard to find, as empowering.
Please do not make cuts to this urgently needed service. Thank you.
I was not in support groups yet but I will need them soon. I live in USA and there are not enough
support groups but to create our own.
Peer support in mental health recovery is Vital. People need to see others overcoming and whom
have lived experience, so there is trust and feel understood, empathised with and feel safe.
peer support is supremely effective in recovery due to the fact it helps people to feel equal, whereas
commonly in services, clients are unconsciously or consciously conditioned to feel 'inferior' or
'under' when working with professionals. There is always a hierarchy, always a scenario where one
explains themselves and then is misunderstood. We need hope and examples of others overcoming
and succeeding. Peer support is priceless.
This is a brilliant service. It has really helped me.
There are a lot of people who rely on recovery partners to provide metal health services, which
make a big difference to many people’s lives in East Sussex. Without them a lot of people would
have nowhere to turn and they could well take a downward spiral.
The world needs more programs like these. They decrease the crime and suicide rate.
Essential lifeline to people with mental health problems that aren’t getting the support they need
from the NHS
Don't cut funding to Recovery Partners - East Sussex mental health services
Because it is so difficult to get one-to-one help, and it is such a vital part of an individual's recovery.
I was with a recovery partner’s worker for 10 sessions. It was the most stable I've ever been. Many
people will suffer if this service is cut
Mental health needs are increasing now. With the changes in this world now and the uncertainties it
presents. People are more vulnerable than ever. As a society we have a duty to protect all and to say
that no service must be reduced or cut forever. We all know when this happens there will be terrible
consequences. Please explain that to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones who
will bear this sorrow and pain.
Recovery Partners is a much valued service, in helping to support others.
These services are essential for the mental, emotional and physical well being of people suffering
with mental health challenges. Look at the figures... 100% of the people who'd received this vital
service would recommend it to others in need. This service is empowering people, which can only be
a good thing all round. Do the math - this service is great value for money. Please don't cut the
funding.
Who knows more about what they need - the services or the people that need them - let's think
about the latter.
It is gives an important link to the community; a place away from home in which to develop, and
become positive. The welfare of people with such difficulties should be a priority of the state
If these services/projects are cut, then they will cause people who need these projects who suffer
from mental illness to become more ; isolate and more mentally ill = causing more reliance upon
other services, which then = more money needing to be spent for the 'pick up/after care! These cuts
will/could cause deaths too through; isolation = suicides!
I know people who have used these services. It really does give them a life line and supports/and
helps improve their everyday living!!!
Because people with mental health issues are some of the first to slip through the net. Support for
the most vulnerable should be a high priority.
As a Lecturer in Social Work I see the good work that Recovery Partners do to support people, and
peer support helps to generate new support systems which in turn help to reduce long term costs
for the county. It's a false economy to cut funding to this service.
Now, more than ever, we need these services - and cutting them doesn't cut costs, it escalates them,
as we have seen by experience!
This is an appalling proposal, making cuts by picking on the most vulnerable. At the very least it is
short termism at its worst, saving now for more crisis and expense later.