On Tuesday 19th September, the sun shone brightly over Hove Lawns as partners from across the UOK Brighton & Hove network came together for a farewell picnic. It was a chance to celebrate almost six years of partnership, reminisce about highlights and lessons learned, and look ahead with optimism to the next chapter.
In true UOK spirit, the picnic was about reflection and connection. As an icebreaker, we asked: If you were a summer fruit, which one would you be? The answers, much like our partnership, were rich in diversity. Among us we had Jamaican Otaheite apples, gooseberries, lychees, pomegranates, pineapples from the Philippines, juicy Indian mangoes, peaches, and passionfruit.
Reflections from Partners
As we tucked into food and enjoyed the sunshine, partners shared their favourite moments and takeaways from the past six years:
- Chris Baker (Switchboard) spoke about the impact of ASIST training delivered by Grassroots Suicide Prevention, recalling how a volunteer put their learning into practice just days later in a real-life situation.
- Fiona Albone (Southdown) reflected on the value of community events, like taking clients to TEDx, and the powerful client speeches at the UOK Five-Year Celebration event at Fabrica.
- Heather Moston (Money Advice Plus) shared how the little moments stood out – from hot chocolates at Puzzlebored during frontline workers’ events on Time to Talk Day, to the inspiring Daniel Wilsher mental health talk for Mental Health Awareness Week, and the wider impact demonstrated in the Five-Year Video. “I really value the diversity of this partnership – it shines through in events like these,” she said.
- Brooke Joyce (UOK B&H Partnership Lead) valued every partners’ meeting for the enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate, and highlighted the Five-Year Impact Illustration (now proudly displayed at the Southdown Isetta Square office) as a symbol of what the partnership has achieved.
- Manasi Barmecha (UOK Comms Coordinator) shared how the partnership changed her perspective: “This partnership has taught me to look at the world with new eyes and be kinder to everyone I meet – because we never know what someone might be going through.”
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The picnic was both a celebration and a moment of gratitude. Together, partners remembered the big milestones – training, campaigns, community events – and the small but powerful moments of connection that defined the UOK partnership.
As we look forward to a new phase under the refreshed contract, we carry with us the energy, wisdom, and kindness that have been at the heart of UOK Brighton & Hove.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on the lawns, and to those who couldn’t make it – you were missed. We step into the future together with optimism, solidarity, and the shared ambition of making mental health support more accessible and connected for our communities.
