My name is Rachel Sankey and I am studying Fine Art Printmaking at the University of Brighton. Alongside my studies I work as a Widening Participation Ambassador. There is one particular role as an ambassador which has had a profound impact on my perspective of ‘widening participation’. Working with the AS social group has opened my eyes to the importance of inclusivity and social wellbeing within university life.

The Asperger’s Syndrome Social Group is both for students who have a formal autistic spectrum condition diagnosis, and also for those who feel that such a group is relevant to them whether they have a diagnosis or not. Students get an opportunity to be involved in social events and have a chance to meet new people from different courses studying at the university. The demands of university life and moving away from home can be a disorientating, daunting prospect for anyone. We hold a meet up for an hour each week with the aim to provide a comfortable environment for the students to feel relaxed and able to kick back a little, hopefully forgetting about some of the stresses of coursework and exams!

As coordinators of the social group we are keen to get to know each student so that we can tailor what we do in the meet ups to their interests. During this academic year we have been lucky enough to have a private tour of the Amex stadium (with an avid Seagulls fan in the group this was a great way for the student to share their passion with the rest of the members). We have also been bowling and had a Domino’s pizza evening in the university’s Studio Union ‘The Hive’ (because who doesn’t love pizza?!).

Working with the social group has taught me invaluable skills. Not only have I learnt about the planning and admin that goes into organising social events but it has also got me to really consider the ways in which I communicate. I have massively enjoyed meeting and spending time with everybody in the group. As an already established group before I started I was apprehensive at first, but everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. I will be sad to leave!

For more information please contact Sebastian Beaumont by email on s.beaumont@brighton.ac.uk