Housing trust with Eastbourne site ‘delighted’ to complete mental health merger

A Sussex charity housing trust, which has a base in Eastbourne, has merged with a mental health service provider after 18 months of negotiations.
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Brighton Housing Trust, which has a branch in St Leonard’s Road, has merged with Sussex Oakleaf, a specialist provider of mental health services, as of April 1 after despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive of BHT Andy Winter, who is staying on to lead the newly merged organisation, said, “We are truly excited for the opportunities this merger will bring, not just to the development of the two organisations but more importantly to the people who we support and who we will be able to support going forward.

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“Sussex Oakleaf has been providing a range of well-respected mental health services for more than 25 years and we are delighted their knowledge, skills and resources will be combined with those of BHT so that we may be able to better promote positive change within the communities in which we operate.

BHTand SO board members SUS-200704-160937001BHTand SO board members SUS-200704-160937001
BHTand SO board members SUS-200704-160937001

“Day to day delivery of services remain unchanged as a result of the merger, although coronavirus is having some impact on service delivery.

“Service users, residents and tenants will continue to receive the same support and be able to rely on the contact details and websites they are used to.”

A BHT spokesperson said both organisations have long histories of providing effective frontline services to those who need it most and by coming together as one organisation, it is hoped the services will improve further.

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