CAPITAL Charity

Who we are

CAPITAL is one of the first service user and survivor-led organisations in the UK. We were established to bring together services, professionals, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges across West Sussex, with the aim of improving services and training staff from a lived experience perspective.
 

We are a membership organisation with over 300 members. We offer shared learning, training, workshops, and community meetings, all shaped and led by people with lived experience.
 

In 2022, CAPITAL was commissioned to develop and lead co-production within the West Sussex Mental Health Community Transformation Programme. As part of this work, we established an independent network, LEAG (Lived Experience Advisory Group), and continue to support the development of a shared vision for local mental health services.
 

In 2024, CAPITAL was commissioned by the Drug and Alcohol Partnership (Public Health, West Sussex County Council) to gather and represent the views of people with lived experience of addiction across the county. This work includes co-producing peer-led, trauma-informed workshops and managing a Community Fund that supports grassroots initiatives and peer leadership.
 

We also run volunteer-led, independent Patient Viewpoint forums, which collect anonymous feedback about hospital care, treatment, and support. This feedback is shared directly with senior leaders and managers to influence meaningful change.

Our culture and values

Our work is proudly rooted in lived experience. We believe that people who have direct experience of mental health challenges and addiction are best placed to shape the services that affect them.
 

We are committed to co-production, ensuring that all our work is developed collaboratively, with members actively leading, influencing, and delivering our programmes.

We foster a culture of:

• Respect and dignity – valuing every individual’s voice and experience

• Collaboration – working in partnership with communities, services, and stakeholders

• Empowerment – supporting people to build confidence, skills, and leadership

• Transparency – ensuring openness in how decisions are made and feedback is used

• Learning and growth – creating spaces for shared learning and continuous improvement
   

Our environment is inclusive, supportive, and community-driven, where people feel safe to share their experiences and contribute to change.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

CAPITAL is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.
 

We actively work to ensure that our organisation is accessible, welcoming, and representative of the diverse communities we serve across West Sussex. We recognise that people’s experiences of mental health and addiction are shaped by factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality, age, and socio-economic background.
 

Our commitments include:

• Promoting equal opportunities for all members, volunteers, and staff

• Challenging discrimination, stigma, and inequality

• Ensuring diverse lived experiences are represented and heard

• Designing inclusive and accessible activities, services, and spaces

• Embedding trauma-informed and culturally aware approaches in our work
   

We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to participate fully, regardless of their background or circumstances.