Being kind can give us a sense of belonging, help us make new friends and connect with our communities. There are plenty of opportunities to be kind at Sussex – here are some ideas to get you started!

Volunteering

Giving a small amount of your time is a great way to make a positive contribution, gain valuable work experience, build your confidence and develop your skills and experience.

There are different ways you might like to volunteer, such as with local charities, mentoring students, volunteering abroad, online projects, or with the Students’ Union.

Check out the Student Hub for current volunteering opportunities and ideas.

Become a buddy for another student

The Buddy Scheme is a peer-to-peer support scheme coordinated by the Students’ Union that aims to help new students settle in to life at Sussex.

The scheme works by matching current Sussex students (Buddy Scheme volunteers) with students who are either new to Sussex or would like to meet more people (Buddy Scheme members or sign-ups). The matching is based on participants’ preferences, such as interests, course and language.

Find out more and apply to become a Buddy Scheme Volunteer.

Be kind to the planet

There are many things you can do in your everyday life to be kind to the planet, from the way you travel, to reducing your waste, or becoming more energy efficient. Here are some of the ways you can get involved in sustainability at Sussex:

• Join a sustainability society – there are several to choose from depending on your interest. From gardening, to food waste, to biodiversity!
• Volunteer for sustainability – you can log Spirit of Sussex Award points for any co-curricular sustainability action you take, such as beach cleans or food redistribution
• Become a Green Impact Project Assistant - work in partnership with Sussex staff to make your school more sustainable. Fill in this form to register your interest by 15 November
• Download the free EcoGo app – the sustainable Sussex travel rewards scheme. For every sustainable travel choice you make, you earn money off at your favourite shops and leisure locations and help fight the climate crisis.

Read about more ways you can be kind to the planet.

Engage with people around you

Did you know that saying “hello”, or “thank you” to your bus driver or other service providers can increase their mental wellbeing?

A report published from psychologists at the University of Sussex, working with Transport for London (TfL), and Neighbourly Lab, a social connection enterprise, found that just two in 10 (23%) people acknowledge their bus driver when boarding. And fewer than one in 10 (8%) do so when leaving the bus. 

Bus drivers interviewed as part of the research said passengers saying “good morning” or “thank you” has a positive impact on their happiness and job satisfaction. They said it made them feel “respected”, “seen” and “appreciated”.

Research also shows that talking to strangers can improve our mood and make us feel more connected. Read a blog from Dr Gillian Sandstrom, Senior Lecturer in the Psychology of Kindness at Sussex, about her research findings on the importance of connecting with strangers for our happiness and wellbeing.

So, if you don’t already, why not make extra effort to acknowledge the people around you, with a simple “hello” or “thank you”. A small act of kindness can go a long way to improving the wellbeing of others, and yourself!