Speaking on The Kindness Test podcast, Sussex’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement, Professor Robin Banerjee, describes kindness as ‘a behaviour that is intended to benefit other people’. This simple definition underlies a complex phenomena that can take many different forms and benefit us in many ways. With World Kindness Day coming up on Monday 13 November, what better time to ask about the importance of kindness at Sussex?

Kindness at Sussex

Kindness is central to Sussex and is one of the University’s five core values in the 2025 Strategic Framework. It is promoted through student-led groups and campaigns, and University events and support services. We even have the world’s only interdisciplinary research centre on kindness.

Members of the University community are taking part in the fourth annual KindFest, a virtual festival this Friday (10 November), which students can attend for free. Book your KindFest ticket via Eventbrite using the promotional code SUSSUNI01. You will receive the online link a few days before the event begins.

Being kind to others

Why would the University place such a strong emphasis on being kind? One key element of kindness is giving to others. The New Economics Foundation includes “Give” as one of its Five Ways to Wellbeing – encouraging people to include acts of kindness, however small, in their regular routines. The impact of kindness on the wellbeing of the person being kind as well as the recipient has been studied more in recent years, including here at Sussex. Put simply, being kind promotes wellbeing and good mental health, with benefits that can include:

• boosting the giver’s happiness, life satisfaction and positive affect
• nurturing a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life
• reducing the risk of some mental illnesses like depression
• reducing the risk of some physical illnesses including cardiovascular disease.

Acts of kindness can be big or small. If you’re looking for ways to be more kind you could consider:

• being patient with the person walking slowly in front of you
• offering to help someone onto the bus with their shopping
• finding time to speak with a friend who has been struggling
• volunteering with a local charity, or donating blood.

Being kind to yourself

Being kind to ourselves in our daily routine can have a great impact on our wider mental health and wellbeing. As our wellbeing improves, our capacity for being kind to others will too. So, try thinking about what would work for you. You might like to try:

• taking a few minutes to walk around your favourite area
• booking to go to an event you’d enjoy
• making time to read a chapter of your book
• watching a few episodes of your favourite TV show.

If you struggle to find things to do by yourself, there are University groups like Tea & Talk (Wednesdays 1-3pm in Woodland 1, Student Centre) and the Students' Union’s Buddy Scheme. There are also a number of student-led societies at Sussex that engage with acts of kindness – a full list of student societies can be found on the Students' Union website.

Please follow the wellbeing team’s Instagram account for updates on wellbeing events and campaigns (including our weekly Wellbeing Stall in the student centre atrium – Thursdays 12-2pm during term-time).

Finally, remember you can always access mental wellbeing support from the University through the Student Hub or via the Student Centre. The Student Centre is your first point of call for general enquiries, or get in touch through My Sussex to book an appointment to visit.