Diane Pickett, Residential Housekeeper

Rita Pickett with students preparing for the Freshers’ Ball, 1985

The University campus has changed dramatically over the last few decades, from the development of modern teaching and study buildings such as Jubilee and Fulton, to the major upgrade of our campus residences in the East Slope and upcoming West Slope developments.

In this spotlight, Diane Pickett, a residential housekeeper based in Swanborough, tells us about her experience working at Sussex and how the campus has changed over 40 years.

When did you first arrive at Sussex?

My first memories at Sussex were when I was ten years old, and my mum Rita was working in York House (which is gone now!) while I played outside in the playground area with other children. I remember my mum would proudly help new students put the finishing touches on their suits and dresses for the annual Freshers’ Ball and always got emotional when they left at the end of each year.

I got a job at the University in 1986 when I was sixteen, cleaning Essex House with the academic team while mum was still in York House. I later moved to the residences and have worked in every accommodation since – Park Houses, then Northfield, and eventually Swanborough where I’m based now. I remember turning up to work in a three-wheeled Robin Reliant and dropping my son off at the nursery behind East Slope Bar, before heading over to start work cleaning the flats.

It’s amazing how much the University has changed since I’ve been here, with new flats replacing old ones and seeing students come and go every year.

What highlights do you remember from your time at Sussex?

One exciting highlight was when my mum discovered a lost painting by artist Tim Sainsbury in the Lancaster House storeroom, completely by accident. She found it in 2005, eventually discovering it had been lost since 1976, and it’s now kept on campus in the Library. It’s incredible the things you can find just sitting in a storeroom!

What do you enjoy most about working here?

Every year I look forward to Arrivals Weekend, when our new students come to campus and move into their new homes for the year. Seeing the next generation arrive, welcoming them to Sussex, and helping set them up as they start their futures at the University makes all the hard work worth it.

After all these years I still love working at Sussex, and the general sense of community and belonging that the campus brings and am looking forward to many more years at the University.

Diane works as a housekeeper in the Estates team at Sussex, cleaning our campus accommodation for resident students and summer visitors, and welcoming our new freshers every September.

Learn more about the Estates team and what they do, and read about the future of facilities management at Sussex.