Broadcast: News items

A still from the Coaching Programme video animation, showing a student and some blocks or challenges

As part of our ongoing commitment at the University of Sussex to provide an educational experience that is truly transformative, the Student Engagement and Enhancement team is excited to be launching a new Coaching Programme for students, starting this month.

Building on the University’s strategic values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage, we are inviting students to take up the opportunity to work with a professional coach, enabling a safe space for discussion which will encourage students to develop their own personal strategies for:

• setting meaningful and achievable goals
• exploring possible solutions for the challenges they face
• working through personal barriers
• creating action plans for achieving personal successes
• building resilience to enable students to fully immerse in their studies.

This programme has been designed within the specific context of the University’s Access and Participation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25, and as such is particularly aimed at students who:

• are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds
• are from a postcode area (home address) facing social challenges or in a postcode area with low progression to higher education (postcodes classed as deciles 1 and 2 in the Index of Multiple Deprivation – a postcode lookup facility is available on the Consumer Data Research Centre mapmaker)
• are eligible for care leaver support at Sussex.

Staff are encouraged to use this opportunity to provide ongoing support for their students, and are advised in particular to identify students who may be experiencing some of the following challenges:

• a sense of isolation or feeling like they don’t belong within any aspect of their experience at Sussex, which is inhibiting their confidence
• low self-esteem or personal challenges which may be creating emotional burn-out or stress
• difficulties with organisation or time-management skills which may lead to not fulfilling their potential
• self-doubt based on stigmas associated with resits or repeating a year.

This list, however, is not exhaustive, and staff may identify other reasons why students may benefit from the Coaching Programme.

How it works: 

Staff are asked to speak with any students who they feel would benefit from professional coaching and direct them to apply online using the following form: 

Online application form for the Coaching Programme

If students are successful in their application, they will be invited to attend six sessions with their coach. Sessions will be designed around individual needs, with the aim being to empower and support students to succeed, overcoming any personal and/or academic challenges they may be facing.

“The main joy in my work as a Coach is seeing someone gain the confidence to overcome their blocks and make their goals become a reality.” 

Coach Chris Browne

Please note the Coaching Programme is open to all taught students at the University.  However, it is not recommended that students who are currently receiving, or about to receive, mentoring or study skills support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance apply for this programme as there is likely to be too much overlap in the support provided, which could be counter-productive for these students.

The deadline for applications for this term’s Coaching Programme has been extended to Sunday 20 February 2022.

For more information about the Coaching Programme, see the Coaching Programme webpage.