Sussex Beacon

Who we are

The Sussex Beacon was established as a hospice and charity in 1993, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people across Sussex who are living with or affected by HIV. We provide specialist clinical care, emotional support, and community services that help individuals manage the medical, psychological, and social challenges associated with HIV. 

While treatment has advanced significantly, people living with HIV (PLWH) continue to experience higher rates of chronic health conditions and age-related co-morbidities. In Sussex, 61% of those accessing services are now over the age of 50. This ageing population, combined with the long-term impact of HIV and its treatments, means that many experience increased frailty, multi-morbidity, and complex psycho-social and physical care needs. 

Our service users frequently experience significant health inequalities they often come from marginalised communities and may face intersectional discrimination related to gender, sexuality, age, ethnicity, or migration status. Many also live with the ongoing effects of stigma, trauma, socio-economic disadvantage, and social isolation. 

The Sussex Beacon plays a vital role in addressing these inequalities. Through inclusive, person-centred services, we work to promote dignity, resilience, and improved quality of life for everyone who comes through our doors. 

The Sussex Beacon offers a range of services to people who have been living with HIV for decades to those who are newly diagnosed.  Our services include: 

·         Community Nurse-led Clinical Service 

·         Community Outreach Support Services 

·         Peer Mentoring 

·         Living Well Exercise Programme 

·         Day Services and Group Work. 

The Sussex Beacon has two charity shops in Brighton and an active fundraising team who help raise the money we need to keep our services running for the people who need them across Sussex. 

Our Future  

Over the past 18 months we have been working very closely with local commissioners and the wider NHS and other health and community providers to re-instate our unique hospice inpatient clinical palliative care for people living with HIV.  

As part of our new strategic direction, we will build on our expertise, experience and cultural competence to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ people who choose the Sussex Beacon because of our trusted reputation and proud history of affirmation and inclusion for palliative and end of life care.  

Our Community Services Team is an essential part of the support pathway for people living with HIV in Sussex; the team plays a crucial part in supporting vulnerable people living with HIV assisting them navigate health and support services; intervening in a timely manner to prevent crisis and providing integrated multi-agency support for those who are struggling with their physical and mental wellbeing.

Our culture and values

Whilst we are completing our strategic plan; we have adopted the widely recognised I CARE model of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence to demonstrate the values that underpin and reflect our approach, behaviours and culture. 

  I CARE 

 Integrity            We are honest and open  

                           We are trustworthy and authentic in our relationships with others 

                           We strive to do the right thing, accept feedback and learning 

 Compassion     We are kind, supportive and caring 

                            We have empathy, we listen and learn from those around us 

                           We relate to people with warmth and understanding 

 Accountability   We own our actions and work collaboratively as one united team 

                            We are responsible for our work, performance and behaviour 

                            We do not blame or deflect, acknowledge and learn from our mistakes  

 Respect             We are inclusive, value difference and work together to deliver our vision 

                            We are sensitive to the spectrum of experience and views of others 

                            We treat everybody with dignity and affirm their identities 

 Excellence         We strive for quality & continuous improvement 

                            We are open to innovation, development and change 

                            We share our skills, knowledge and learning to wider systems improvement                   

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The Sussex Beacon is committed to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment where difference is valued and respected.

The Sussex Beacon welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and particularly encourage applications from people living with HIV and from communities that are underrepresented within health and social care services.