Kindness on campus
This page lists a wide range of activities across campus either promoting kindness or helping members of the University of Sussex to engage with acts of kindness. This ranges from student-led groups to university-led events and initiatives.
- Sussex 2025 Strategic Framework
Kindness has been included as one of the university’s five core values in the 2025 Strategic Framework. These values are designed to shape what the university says and does across all actions and activities.
- Civic University Agreement
The University of Sussex is one of 30 universities to sign the Civic University Agreement in which universities pledge to expand the role they play in their local community. As part of this, the university has a number of partnerships with local councils and health bodies, providing free services to the local community. Find out more Sussex commitment to the Civic University Agreement.
- Student Life Centre
The Student Life Centre is the first port of call for any student that has questions, queries, worries or concerns about any aspect of student life. Find out more about the range of services and support on offer in the Student Life Centre.
- Student Societies
There are a number of student-led societies at Sussex that engage with acts of kindness. Some examples include the Raising and Giving Society, Wildlife and Conservation Society, The Bike Shack, BSMS Refugee Support, Students for Global Health, Help the Homeless Society, and Sustainable Fashion Collective. A full list of student societies can be found on the Student Union website.
- Buddy Scheme
The Buddy Scheme is a peer to peer support scheme coordinated by the Students’ Union that aims to help new students settle into life at University and Brighton.
- Student Minds Look After your Mate Workshop
This workshop, led by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, provides students with the skills required to offer support to friends. The workshop encourages students to be as kind and supportive to others as possible. Find out more about the Look After your Mate workshops.
- Mindfulness Meditation
Chris McDermott, the lead chaplain at the University of Sussex offers free mindfulness meditation sessions for staff and students throughout the week. These are drop-in sessions and you don't need to register, but check the Mindfulness Mediation sessions timetable in advance.
- Free Wednesdays
Every Wednesday during term-time, from 12:00 – 13:30, the Students’ Union provide Sussex students with free sanitary products, free drug-testing kits, and free condoms at Falmer House reception.
- Commit to Get Fit
Commit to Get Fit is a month-long annual event at Sussex, providing staff with free fitness activities throughout May and encouraging staff to connect with colleagues across campus.
- Dhaba Square Choir
Dhaba Square Choir is the University of Sussex’s very own community choir. All are welcome: students, faculty, and staff – the choir is free of charge and no singing experience is necessary. Join them to sing in harmony together, over your lunch hour, for one hour once a fortnight. The choir has a drop-in format – you don’t need to have attended previous practices to come along.
- Tea and Talk Peer Support Network
The Tea and Talk Peer Support Network is made up of trained student volunteers and offers an informal space for Sussex students to talk and be listened to, all with free tea and biscuits! Find out more about the Tea and Talk Peer Support Network.
- Past Events
Go Green Week 2019
From Monday 25th February – Friday 1st March 2019, University of Sussex hosted Go Green Week. There were multiple events and activities occurring across campus that promote kindness towards our planet! Find out more information about the Go Green Week initiative on the Students' Union website.
Wellbeing Week 2019
From Thursday 7th March – Wednesday 13th March 2019, University of Sussex hosted Wellbeing Week, a series of free events and activities designed to raise awareness of wellbeing and to empower staff and students to look after their own and others well-being. Many of the events promote kindness towards self and others. Find out more on the Wellbeing Week 2019.
One World Sussex
One World Sussex hosts One World Week on 18th – 22nd March 2019. This annual celebration includes events that showcase food, language and culture from across the globe, promoting a shared identity as a global community.