Pathfinder West Sussex, a new community mental health support service commissioned by NHS Sussex, launches on 1 December 2025. BHT Sussex has been awarded the lead provider role for the new Pathfinder service, working in partnership with West Sussex Mind. The service replaces the previous Pathfinder Alliance and brings on board new partners from the homelessness sector to provide comprehensive, coproduced community mental health support across West Sussex.
BHT Sussex has worked closely with West Sussex communities for over a decade as part of the Pathfinder Alliance and will be using this experience to develop the service, expanding the already established Community Peer Mentor offer and with a Lived Experience Advisory Group taking a central role in shaping and reviewing the service.
As part of Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams, BHT Sussex will be working alongside NHS clinical services, as well as delivery partners West Sussex Mind, Capital, Southdown, Crawley Open House, Turning Tides and Stonepillow. As well as improving access to community mental health care, the partnership will be increasing the number of physical health screenings available for those with mental illness.
Rachael Kenny, Director of Mental Health Support Services at BHT Sussex said:
We’re pleased to be leading the next phase of Pathfinder alongside excellent partners who share our values around co-production, accessibility and community-led care. The new West Sussex Pathfinder service puts lived experience front and centre and we’re proud to support a model that will listen, adapt, and evolve with the people it serves.
The service is built around a “no wrong door” approach — meaning wherever you reach out, you’ll be guided to the right support. Whether it’s advice, community help, or clinical care, we’re here for you.
