Staff networks and clubs

Armed Forces Community

Our Armed Forces Community connects members of staff from our Armed Forces community to provide mutual support and advice on all matters related to service, either in the military or in the NHS.

We aim to provide expertise and mentorship to anyone who wishes to support our Armed Forces community.

We also provide support to community members who may need an extra shoulder when and where they need it.

Our membership is inclusive across all employees, patients, relatives, students, volunteers and other on site workers who may have an interest. We actively encourage members of the Trust to become service champions.

Carers Support West Sussex

Carers Support West Sussex is an independent charity supporting some of the 89,000 family and friend carers living or supporting someone in the County.

The Trust is proud to be working with Carers Support West Sussex to help colleagues who are carers. To help colleagues who are caring for someone, they hold virtual information and support sessions via Eventbrite. Register your interest for the events on Eventbrite.

The Carers Support West Sussex website also has practical resources and information.

Carers Hub

You can also contact the Carers Hub on 01273 977 000 or by completing the simple and quick referral in the following links:

• for professionals 
• for carers  

You will then receive an information pack and a follow up phone call to discuss what might be helpful and to carry out the initial carer’s assessment if the carer would like to do so.

Disabled staff network

Our Disabled Staff Network is for all members of staff at UHSussex who define themselves as having a disability whether that be hidden or not.

We hold regular group meetings to provide staff with a safe space to discuss common issues or concerns in relation to disability in the workplace and an opportunity to share their experiences and any resources or information that have helped them. It’s also an opportunity to meet and collaborate with others to offer ideas on what services the Trust could provide to staff with disabilities and an opportunity to feed any suggestions to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team for consideration.

LGBTQi+ network

Our LGBTQi Network is a volunteer-run group of LGBT staff and volunteers (plus allies).

The Network runs a wide range of social events throughout the year and members often get involved with staff consultations and community events such as Pride. We’re here to support LGBTQi+ staff, volunteers and our allies, to help UHSussex be an inclusive ‘employer of choice’, to engage with local LGBTQi+ communities, and to provide excellent, non-discriminatory care for our LGBTQi+ patients and service users. 

If you’d like to know more, need support or advice, or would like to get involved, contact the network.

Religion and Belief Network

This new staff network is under development and coming soon. Register your interest to find out more.

SOAR network

We actively celebrate all cultures at UHSussex with numerous network groups and initiatives such as the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) Working Group; BAME Celebrating Cultures Network; SOAR network and Diversity Matters Group.

Our BAME Covid-19 Support Volunteers have been supporting colleagues since Summer 2020. They can help provide support and guidance relating to issues concerning Covid-19 and they work closely with the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian and the Inclusion Team.

Looking after you too: Coaching support for our Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic colleagues.

This programme has been developed to support any NHS colleagues who identify as part of our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic workforce in NHS and ambulance trusts, in maintaining their psychological wellbeing during this challenging time.

This individually tailored coaching support will focus on proactively supporting you to process experiences, offload the demands of whatever you are experiencing deal with difficult conversations, develop coping skills and be support in developing practical strategies. Find out more on our NHS support page.

Individual coaching sessions for BAME NHS staff

Register for Looking After You Too and book your first session. The purpose of this service is support staff to maintain their psychological wellbeing.