Experience Sussex!

As the academic year draws to a close, your Students’ Union (SU) Full-time Officers wanted to share with you some final thoughts on the work they've done to represent you, to campaign for change on campus, and to bring your ideas to life across campus. They have tackled housing and transport issues, worked to improve wellbeing support, expanded access and participation, fought for your education rights and built-up communities through events and student groups. Each Officer has brought their own unique style, energy and passion into their work. Some of them are signing off and some are taking on a second term, so now is the perfect opportunity to hear from them, what they've achieved this year. 

Jada Orlebar-Earle, Diversity, Access and Participation Officer

Hi, it’s Jada, your 2024/25 Diversity, Access and Participation Officer. I’ve been up to a lot this year, but one of the key things I’ve been working on is preparing for the expansion of the Race Equity Advocates (REA) scheme for the next academic year. It’s been a long process, which I took over from the last DAP Officer, but we’re now in the final stages of reaching a solid collaborative agreement with the University – although we’re still lobbying for the University to fund a few more REAs to carry out the important work they do. 

Additionally, I’ve been working closely with SU Trading to reimagine SU spaces to better reflect what you want. It’s been exciting throwing around ideas, but a little scary too, because we won’t know what works until we try it. 

I’ve also spent a lot of this year working on the SU’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan so that the SU can better support all the students and staff it represents. 

Finally, my highlight of the year has to be the Pop Princess Karaoke Night I hosted with our Women’s Officer, Chloe, to celebrate Women’s History Month. 

— Jada 

Naina Bahl, Wellbeing Officer 

Hellooo! I’m Naina, your current Wellbeing Officer. I've done this job for almost two years, and as my second term comes to an end, here are some of my highlights: 

I’ve spent most of this year working with your Disabled Students’ Officers, Lyds and Yanna, and the University to thoroughly review policies and processes around reasonable adjustments for students. This includes adjustments during classes, assessments, and around physical accessibility. We’ve developed proposals for a new system that works better for students and ensures they feel supported at Sussex. These outcomes will be implemented in September 2025. 

I created and chaired the Student Wellbeing Committee this year with an incredible group of 10 students, who supported me in making decisions around campaigns and projects I focused on. 

I also ran the Nightlife Safety Forum – a space for students to come together and share how they feel going out in Brighton, and what steps the Union, the University, local venues and the Council could take to make nightlife safer for students. 

I’ve had the best time and I’ve been honoured to be your Wellbeing Officer for the past (almost) two years. It’s been incredible to support students, to be surrounded by one of the most wonderful student communities, and to grow alongside you all. If you’re not already involved in the Students’ Union, I’d recommend joining a society or campaign – it really can change your life. 

Love and light, 
Naina 

Esther Adeyamo, International Students’ Officer

I’m Esther, your International Students’ Officer (and incoming for the new year). I also chair the Finance and Risk Sub-Committee at the Union. 

I began my role in July 2024, and one of the things I’m proudest of is the support I’ve provided to the International Students’ Committee this year. The committee, comprising 15 members, has been one of our most engaged, leading several events, collaborations and joint support efforts for international students. I’ve also begun incorporating the committee into University decision-making processes at various levels. One recent example was a feedback session I facilitated between the University and committee members, contributing to the ongoing review of the academic misconduct policy. 

A few months ago, I submitted a paper on the experiences of international students at Sussex to the University and the Union’s Relations Committee, demanding better support. This led to a university-wide research paper on international students’ experiences, which was submitted to the University Education Committee. I also lobbied for better representation of international student voices at the University’s Student Experience Forum – a request the University accepted. I'm incredibly grateful to the student reps who shared their stories, highlighting the need for better support. 

Now, I’m happy to announce that, after months of planning, lobbying and pushbacks, the University will be launching the International Students’ Experience Group, a sub-group of the Welcome, Induction and Transition Group. I'm thankful to all the students who lent their voices to this cause, to my fellow officers, and to the Union for their support. I look forward to what this group will achieve in the coming year. 

I’m also organising an International Students’ Career Event on 27 May at the Student Centre – keep an eye on the SU website and Instagram for more info. I look forward to seeing you there and continuing to serve as your International Students’ Officer. 

Lots of love, 
Esther 

Ardi Sefre, Sports, Societies and Events Officer

Helloo! I’m Ardi, and this year I’ve had the pleasure of being your Sports, Societies and Events Officer. 

Beyond supporting all the amazing clubs and societies at Sussex, and lobbying for investment in our sports facilities (which is finally happening!), I’ve also championed student health and wellness more broadly. 

At the start of the year, I set my sights on improving the University’s active and sustainable transport strategy – and what a journey it’s been. I partnered with Swytch (an e-bike conversion kit company), offering 11 students the chance to win a kit worth £500, launched a cycling campaign, and secured a 25% discount for Sussex students on all Swytch products. After months of discussions and sounding like a bike-mad maniac, I’ve secured a joint partnership with the University’s Sustainability Team, the Bike Hub, and the student society Bike Shack to implement the first official circular bike economy on campus – including a not-for-profit bike retail and repair shop opening next academic year. 

On top of that, I secured £4,000 from the University’s SOSA department to create the first Sports and Societies Hardship Fund, called “Give It A Go”. This has supported over 40 students with free access to clubs and societies and covered the cost of essential equipment. I also partnered with Grassroots Suicide Prevention (a Brighton-based charity), giving 90 students the opportunity to run the Brighton Half Marathon, raising £34,000 to support suicide awareness and bereavement training across organisations. 

To say this year has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Still, my favourite moments have been meeting students who go out of their way to campaign for change, fight for justice, and bring more good into the world. I remain in awe of what I’vewitnessed this year. 

As I wrap up my term in July and prepare for the “real world”, if you see me cycling around campus – say hi! 

Peace out, Sussex! 
Ardi 

Lewis Wilson, Education and Employability Officer

Hiii! I’m Lewis, the new Education and Employability Officer for the SU this (and next) year! 

This year, I’ve been lobbying the University, Brighton & Hove Council, and B&H Buses to reduce bus fares so students aren’t losing even more money just to access the learning we’re already paying so much for. I’ve also been fighting for student workers’ rights, pushing for the creation of a student workers’ union on campus. I secured the right for students to change seminar groups if their work hours clash with classes. And I’ve launched a review into continuation fees – which unfairly and disproportionately affect disabled and working-class students. 

More than anything, though, I’ve loved working with my incredible team, and I can’t wait to continue with the next one. I’ve been involved with the Students’ Union for over three years now, and I can confidently say I truly love it here. I’m so proud to work for the Union and to represent you. 

If you see me running around campus, please say hello – I work for you, so make sure I’m doing my job! 

Peace and love, 
Lewis 

Elena Southard, Student Living and Sustainability Officer

Helloooo! My name is Elena, and I’m so happy to have been your Student Living and Sustainability Officer this year — and very excited to say I’ll be continuing in the role next year too! From barely knowing what a Students’ Union was a year ago to now being right in the eye of the storm, this has been one of the most incredible (and honestly, bizarre) working years of my life. 

I started the year focused on the huge need for alternative transport options that better support cheaper, more sustainable access to campus. Part of that meant lobbying the Council and local bus companies to offer significantly reduced fares for students — something I’mdetermined to keep pushing for next year. The other part has been working with Ardi Sefre to develop our community partnership with the University’s Sustainability team, Brighton Bike Hub, and The Bike Shack. Thanks to this, we’re now due to open a not-for-profit, volunteer-run bike shop and repair space on campus. I’mbouncing-off-the-walls excited to see this project come to life (ask anyone — I won’t stop talking about it). 

And as if one shop wasn’t enough, I also worked with SU staff to open the swanky new Swap n Shop in Falmer House — creating a circular economy of items, free to all students, and bringing to life a project that has been in the works for years, even before my time. 

Then came the busiest week of the year for me: Climate Justice Week! What an incredible seven days, with a total of 18 SU and student-led events showcasing a powerful range of climate action — from campaign launches and book clubs to talks on eco-anxiety and the impacts of war on climate justice. I started my year by hosting the Climate Assembly — a gathering of university staff, lecturers, and most importantly, students — to shape the direction of sustainability at Sussex. Returning to those themes during Climate Justice Week was a moving reminder of just how powerful the Sussex student community can be. 

It’s been an absolute blast this year getting to see the heart of student action and supporting students in so many ways. I can’t wait to see what next year brings. See you then! 

Elena <3 

Find out how you can get more involved with the SU on their website.