Purpose Lab student ambassadors take centre stage at House of Commons Summer Reception

Five Purpose Lab Student Ambassadors joined senior leaders from business, education, and government at the Purpose Coalition Summer Reception recently, held at the iconic Terrace Pavilion in the House of Commons.  

Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland, the event marked the close of the first session of the new Parliament and highlighted the growing momentum behind purpose-led collaboration and social mobility in the UK. 

For the students - from universities across the country – the reception offered more than networking. It provided a rare platform to represent the next generation of socially driven talent at the heart of national decision-making. 

We have gathered their reflections below.  

Manel Bouchekoua, Teesside University 

“Stepping onto the Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons, overlooking the Thames and surrounded by national leaders, was unforgettable. I arrived feeling slightly out of my depth, unsure how a Teesside University tech student would fit into the House. But then came the ‘all eyes on me’ moment, as somehow, I became the leading expert on AI in the House of Commons. Seriously. Within minutes, I was being asked for my views on the AI chip tech war, the risks of AI replacing humans, and the unethical use of AI models, and I realised people weren’t just being polite. They were genuinely listening to me. 

“It was more than symbolic, it was transformational. I spoke about coding ethics into AI Bots, a principle I’m still learning, but one I believe must be non-negotiable. I didn’t need to be a professor or policy lead to contribute. I just had to be present, prepared, and purpose-led. The Purpose Lab Summer Reception wasn’t just a networking event. It was a shift, where inclusion meant students like me weren’t on the sidelines. We were at the centre of the conversation.” 

Aranija Sakthythasan, University of Chester 

“I had the great pleasure of attending the Purpose Coalition Summer Reception at the House of Commons this month. Seeing so many organisations come together with a common goal of using innovation and social enterprise to bring about significant change was remarkable.  

“Throughout the event, I had the opportunity to speak with policymakers and influential leaders from across business, education, and health. I also heard from Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition, about the Purpose Coalition’s initiatives to promote social mobility.  

“Additionally I met some lovely representatives from companies like RHS and Sodexo, as well as Pilotlight which is an organisation that connects businesses with charities, all of whom share the purpose of making a real difference to society. It was a strong reminder that illustrated what can be achieved when purpose-led people and organisations come together.” 

Matthew Paterson, Royal Holloway, University of London  

“It was amazing to have been invited to a Parliamentary Reception by The Purpose Coalition. The opportunity to speak directly with employers in sectors relevant to the career I aspire to and catch up with familiar faces from The Purpose Lab Programme was truly invaluable. 

“What really struck me about The Purpose Coalition is how they treat their Student Ambassadors - not merely as a tick box but as insightful people. Over the last year as an Ambassador I've had the chance to learn about companies such as E.ON, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, and Teleperformance. 

“As a first-generation student the ability to be placed directly in front of employers and testify to them about what they can do to boost social mobility in the UK. The possibility to help shape good practice across the public and private sector, and shaping my own skills and personal development beyond this, is fantastic. 

“Working with The Purpose Coalition has given me new perspectives on what I need to do to help me succeed and be able to share this with my peers. If you have the chance, either as a company interested in bettering social mobility in the UK or a student interested in shaping it, getting involved is the best thing you could ever do.” 

Suren Hayrapetyan, Liverpool John Moores University 

“It was an extremely inspiring experience to attend the Purpose Coalition Summer Reception 2025 at the UK House of Commons. The event, which was hosted in the historic Terrace Pavilion, brought together leaders from business, government and civil society who were all dedicated to removing barriers and creating a more inclusive and opportunity-rich UK. Being a part of a community that shares and upholds these values was inspiring to me both as a student and future leader who is committed to providing a major transformation. 

“Particularly noteworthy was the group's sense of responsibility and initiative, which included helping marginalized communities find jobs and advocating for fairness in the workplace, in food access and in education. These initiatives are a reflection of the fearless, team-oriented and purpose-driven leadership I aspire to display. Hearing how various sectors are collaborating to address systemic issues strengthened my conviction that genuine change necessitates more than just sincere intentions, but it unquestionably calls for courage, collaboration and action. I came away from the event with greater determination than ever to be on that front line, not just watching the movement but also taking part in its direction.” 

Chloe Sharman-Moss, University of Southampton 

"I had a brilliant experience attending The Purpose Coalition's summer reception hosted at the Houses of Parliament. When I arrived, I was able to network with professionals from many different companies, as well as individuals from The Purpose Coalition and fellow ambassadors. It was clear that all companies involved were deeply committed to improving social mobility and were more than happy to chat to us about the steps that their company is taking to improve social mobility and receive feedback from ambassadors.  

“Many individuals took interest in finding out about our journeys to University and the next steps in our future, whilst giving insights into careers in their sector. Overall, the event was a powerful reminder that social mobility can be improved when people from a range of sectors work together to understand and support individuals from all walks of life. Thank you again to those who organised and attended this event." 

These reflections offer powerful testimony to the mission of Purpose Lab: placing young people with lived experience at the forefront of policy and business dialogue and proving that inclusion is most effective when it empowers new voices to lead the conversation.