FAQs

• What is the Buddy Scheme?

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  The Buddy Scheme is a peer to peer support scheme co-ordinated by the Students’ Union that helps new students settle into life at University and Brighton.

  The Buddy Scheme matches current Sussex students (Buddy Scheme Volunteers) with new incoming students (Buddy Scheme Members or Sign-Ups) according to their preferences, such as interests, course and language.

  The Buddy Scheme Volunteers will meet up or communicate with their matched Buddy Scheme Members for at least one hour a week. It is a flexible, informal scheme so it is up to buddies where they meet and what they do. We just say to be sensible. 

  Buddy Scheme Volunteers have lots of tips and useful information about university and Brighton which is really valuable to new students. They will act as a ‘go to’ person if a new student has any worries or questions. They have been through the transition into University life already and can identify with new students’ experiences.  We feel that it is more meaningful to new students to be matched with a peer who will know exactly what it is like being a current student at Sussex, what problems they have faced and where to go to have the most fun. 

  The Buddy Scheme runs a series of events and activities for buddies to get involved in such as coffee afternoons, walks, collabs with various Sussex Socities and trips off campus!. Check out the list of upcoming events.

   

  The Buddy Scheme runs from March to March each year and is now open for applications for 2024/25. You are most welcome to sign up at any point during the year, though we don't match over summer.

  Matching begins on A-Level Results Day: 15th August 2024. However you can sign up now. 

• How does the scheme work?

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  If you want to sign up to the scheme, you need to sign up via the Buddy Scheme website. 
  
  
  1. Fill in the relevant application form for you, and state your preferences for being matched with another student (please note: this can not always be guaranteed but we try our best to match as close to the stated criteria as possible).
  
  2. A member of the Buddy Scheme team will read over your application to ensure you understand the scheme and you are signing up for the right reasons. If there is a problem you will be notified by email, otherwise you are automatically entered into the scheme.
  
  3. You will receive a confirmation email of your application with useful information about the scheme.
  
  4. From August 2024 onwards, you will be matched with a Buddy Scheme Volunteer. You will receive an email informing you of who you are matched with and their email address. Volunteers can choice to be matched with up to 5 Members, if the mentor has opted for more than one Buddy Scheme Member you will be put into a small group of new students with one Volunteer (max 6).
  
  5. The Buddy Scheme Volunteer will contact their new students prior to Freshers’ Week -please make contact yourself as well. You can start chatting online before you arrive!
  
  6. Meet up at your own convenience. If you choose to meet in person we recommend that you meet on campus during the day in a public place for the first meeting. Please only meet in person if you and your buddy feel comfortable doing so.
  
  7. Meet up once a week for at least an hour (online or in person)– this is completely down to you where and what you want to do. Just be sensible.
  
  8. Join in with the events and activities offered to buddies via the Buddy Scheme, Active US and the Language Cafe.

• My buddy isn't exactly what I had in mind

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  If there has been an administrative error in the matching process (eg. you are both new students);
  If you feel you have nothing in common with your buddy or can't benefit them;
  If you would like a new buddy or feel you are not being supported in the way you expected;

  Please email BuddyScheme@SussexStudent.com and we will see what we can do to make your experience a better one. Please do get in contact and don't just go silent on your Buddy - we want you to get the most out of Buddy Scheme, will always listen and hopefully help you find the right person to be matched with!

• How do I apply to the Buddy Scheme?

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  Have you been at Sussex University for at least a term and want to help new students? Sign up here to be a Volunteer.

  New to Sussex? Would you like to be matched with a current student to help you get to know Sussex University and Brighton? Sign up here as a new student. We match new students from August to March every year, so it is never too late to join the Buddy Scheme! Even if you are not ‘new’ to Sussex, are in second or third year and want a Buddy to widen your social circle, that is completely fine too! Sign up today.

• I'm a postgraduate, can I still join?

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  Yes! The Buddy Scheme is not just for Undergraduates. We acknowledge that there are not as many Postgraduate volunteers available due to the nature of studying for a shorter time period than an Undergraduate. We try to match new Postgraduates with our Postgraduate volunteers but it cannot always be guaranteed. We organise and run Postgrad Network every other week as a way of countering this, and to help you expand your circle of contacts and friends. You can find out more information on our events page.

  Have you just graduated but staying on at Sussex to do a Masters? Sign up to be a Buddy Volunteer and help a new Postgraduate in September! Your knowledge is invaluable and you will be making a difference to someone else.

• What happens when I sign up to the Buddy Scheme?

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  As a new student you will be invited to a launch event in Freshers Week where you will be able to meet and mingle with other new students and Buddy Scheme volunteers. Matching will happen on a first come, first served basis but we hope to have everyone matched up before Freshers’ week and you can get in touch by email to organise meeting up. Matching will continue throughout the year as and when students sign up. 

  Volunteers who have applied to the Buddy Scheme will be contacted and asked to complete some online training.  It explains the expectations of the role, involves some skills training and signposting information.  

  You are expected to contact the students you have been matched with as soon as you receive the email notifying you. We recommend that you contact each other via email and/or Social Media to begin with and get to know each other prior to the new student arriving at Sussex. Then you can arrange to meet up in a public place on campus at first. You can meet up individually with your Buddy Volunteer at first or in the group that you have been matched with - it is entirely up to you.  

  Check out the website for more useful information and resources.

• What should I do with my buddy?

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  The great thing about the Buddy Scheme is that it is very informal and you can go to events with your Buddy, meet up for lunch or just hang out (online or in person). It is up to you, just make sure you and your Buddy have discussed what you feel comfortable with when meeting up! Why not meet in a public place on campus for coffee or come to one of our Buddy Scheme events together?

  We have a series of events and activities taking place across the year which are perfect socialising opportunities for you and your Buddy to check out. You can find the full program of Buddy Scheme events here, or on the Students' Union website.  You don't have to come to an event together, many people come by themselves with the goal of making new friends!

  Why not try out the Language Cafe? Or get involved in the wide variety of activities on offer via the Active US project.

  The Students' Union offers lots of things to get involved in such as Sports Clubs and Societies, find out what your Buddy likes to do or are interested in and help them get involved.

• Do I have to join the Buddy Scheme at the start of the year?

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  Nope! You are welcome to join the Buddy Scheme at any point in the academic year! If you find yourself needing a friend in January for example, or suddenly have some extra time to Volunteer, then you are absolutely welcome to sign up in January!

• Can I practise a language through the Buddy Scheme?

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  This is not the main focus of the Buddy Scheme - the purpose of the Buddy Scheme is to help incoming students settle into life at Sussex and in Brighton.

  It is possible for us to match you with someone who speaks the language that you are interested in, all you need to do is ensure that you state the language you speak on the application form and set your matching preference as "language". 

  The Buddy Scheme is linked in with the Language Cafe which provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice languages with each other in an informal setting. Why not check it out? The Language Cafe runs every Tuesday during term time from 7pm - 8.30pm.  

• My buddy has asked me for advice, I'm not sure what to say?

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  If your Buddy asks about something and you're not sure what to say or find yourself in a difficult or compromising situation, please don't hesitate to email us at BuddyScheme@SussexStudent.com and we will help you as much as we can. There is a list of University support services in your Buddy Scheme Handbook.  

• My buddy isn't replying to me

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  If you have emailed your Buddy and haven't heard anything back please let us know by emailing BuddyScheme@SussexStudent.com and we’ll see what we can do. It is possible to match you with someone else if needed!

• I no longer want to be a part of the Buddy Scheme

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  Please email buddyscheme@sussexstudent.com or complete this form. This will notify a member of the Buddy Scheme staff who will be in touch about your reasons and to get feedback. 

  It is absolutely fine to opt-out of the scheme if that's what you feel you would like to do, we just ask that you notify us so that any matched buddies are not left on their own. We are able to match them with someone else.

   

• I've still got questions about the scheme, who should I contact?

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  Kael Rigelsford - Volunteering Projects Coordinator

  Jane Trueman - Activities Manager

  We will do our best to answer any questions you have. Any feedback, comments and suggestions are always welcome. 

  You can get in touch by:

  Email: BuddyScheme@SussexStudent.com