2022/2023 is coming… So what is the Buddy Scheme?

2022/2023 is coming… So what is the Buddy Scheme?

6th June 2022

Categories /

Volunteering

The Academic year of 2021/2022 has drawn to a close, and what an amazing year it’s been! We’ve spent time this year enjoying each other’s company in person once again, and now it’s time to look ahead to the Academic year for 2022/2023 where we hope to host even more events and have even more fun with our new friends!

If you’re new to Sussex, we’d like to welcome you and if you’re a current student who’s looking to volunteer with us for the year ahead, welcome back!

In this article we’re going to look at the basics of what the Buddy Scheme is and what it means to be involved, just in case you’re not sure.

What is the Buddy Scheme?

The Buddy Scheme is a peer-to-peer support scheme run by the Students’ Union of the University of Sussex. Yes, I hear you ask, but what does that mean?

It means that students can sign up to be a Buddy Volunteer, a voluntary role of support and friendship! Buddy Volunteers give an hour or more of their time a week to make friends with and answer the questions of a new student and help them settle into life at Sussex. If you are someone with the experience to help someone brand new, this could be a great role for you!

These Buddy Volunteers are matched with a new student to support them.

What can I expect as a new student signing up?

New students will be matched with a Buddy Volunteer based on their preferences. This can be a whole selection of things, such as matching by interest, by school of study, communities like LGBTQ+, or many others.  Whilst we can’t always promise an exact match, we do our best to make sure you and your new Buddy have things in common. 

Your Buddy Volunteer will contact you, and will stay in contact to answer your questions and share their experiences of studying at Sussex and living in the Brighton area.

What else does Buddy Scheme do?

During term time we run all kinds of events that you are welcome to attend with and without your Buddy! We tend to focus on non-alcoholic events such as tea and cake afternoons, walks and other wellbeing activities. We’ve had visits to gardens like Wakehurst Place, and had Therapy dogs visit for cuddles over the spring term and are open to suggestions as to what else might be fun. Most of these events are either free, or the cost is subsidised to make sure they’re affordable.

Sounds great, how do I sign up?

At the top of the website page, please do check out the ‘Apply’ button and fill out the form – we’ll be in touch once you’ve been matched. Matching starts on A level results day in August, and carries on throughout the year. If you sign up part way through the academic year that’s fine, and we will do our best to match you as quickly as we can!

If you have any further questions, do check out our FAQ as there’s lots of great information there, or email us as buddyscheme@sussexstudent.com

Thanks for reading and see you for the academic year of 2022/2023!