Purpose Lab students take their voices to Parliament
Leaders from business, government, education, public services and the voluntary sector came together recently at The Purpose Coalition’s Summer Reception in Parliament to reaffirm a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and improving social mobility across the UK.
Hosted by the Rt Hon Justine Greening and powered by Sodexo UK & Ireland, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration between employers, educators, policymakers and communities.
It also celebrated the continued growth of Purpose Lab, which connects young people with organisations and gives students a meaningful voice in shaping future workplaces, careers and opportunities.
For the Purpose Lab Student Ambassadors who attended, the reception was also an opportunity to build confidence, make new connections and see the impact of their contributions first-hand.
Students from universities across the country spoke with senior leaders, explored different sectors and reflected on the value of bringing young people directly into conversations about education, employment and social mobility. Their experiences demonstrate the importance of networking and how creating spaces where students are listened to as active partners can broaden horizons, strengthen aspirations and help develop the next generation of leaders.
Some of the students share their reflections below:
Amerie Wheeler – Liverpool John Moores University
Attending the Purpose Coalition Summer Reception at the Houses of Commons was an unforgettable experience and something I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of. As a Student Ambassador, it was an honour to represent Liverpool John Moores University in such a prestigious setting and be surrounded by people who are passionate about creating opportunities and improving social mobility.
One of the highlights of the reception was meeting professionals from a variety of organisations and hearing about their passion for creating a more accessible working world. The conversations I had gave me a better understanding of the different career paths available and reinforced how important networking and collaboration are. It was also inspiring to see so many people working towards the shared goal of making education and employment more accessible for everyone.
It was extremely valuable to network with fellow students from different universities that engage with Purpose Coalition and hear their views. It was an enjoyable day to learn other student’s perspectives and use their experiences to strive for more.
The experience left me feeling motivated and even more excited about my own future. It reminded me of the value of stepping outside my comfort zone, making new connections and taking every opportunity to learn. I am very thankful to the Purpose Coalition for inviting me to such a memorable event and look forward to continuing to support its mission.
Glory Byabatto – Teesside University
The Purpose Coalition Summer Reception brought together leaders from business, government, education, public services, and the voluntary sector to discuss how we can create greater opportunities and improve social mobility. From the conversations throughout the afternoon, one message stood out - opportunity is a shared responsibility. Real change requires collaboration between organisations, communities, and individuals, with different perspectives coming together to move beyond good intentions and towards practical action.
As a Purpose Lab Student Ambassador, I was proud to be part of that conversation. Meeting professionals from different sectors and speaking with fellow Student Ambassadors allowed me to learn from experiences very different from my own while also recognising the value of the student perspective. The Reception encouraged me to think about how young people can be active participants in conversations about education, skills, employment, and social mobility, rather than simply being the recipients of future opportunities. I left with new connections, new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose about the role students can play in helping shape a more inclusive future.
Isabella Suarez – Liverpool Hope University
Attending the Purpose Lab Summer Reception for the first time was an experience I will always remember. From the moment I stepped into the impressive UK Parliament facilities, I felt both excited and nervous. I was about to meet directors, highly respected professionals from internationally recognised organisations, and MPs. It was then fascinating to see how everyone in the room was united by a common purpose: to shape the future of their organisations whilst contributing to a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable world.
Meeting these professionals was truly inspiring. As the event progressed, my nerves gradually disappeared as I realised that everyone was open, approachable, and genuinely interested in learning about my background and my role as a Student Brand Ambassador. I also learned about opportunities in different sectors, including education and industry, and met organisations that are actively seeking young talent and committed to creating meaningful career opportunities.
I would also like to highlight the kindness and support of The Purpose Coalition team. They took the time to introduce me, and the other Student Brand Ambassadors, to professionals from business sectors that matched our interests. Their support made it much easier to start conversations and build new professional connections with organisations committed to social mobility, sustainable development and investing in future talent.
Finally, this experience was particularly valuable as it was one of my first networking events. It helped me to understand how such events work, and it showed me that even the most experienced professionals can feel slightly nervous in these situations. Nevertheless, this doesn't prevent meaningful conversations from happening. I am very grateful for this opportunity as it broadened my understanding of the professional world, gave me greater confidence, and prepared me for future networking events as I continue to develop my career.
Suren Haytapetan – Liverpool John Moores University
Attending the event was a truly inspiring experience and one that left a lasting impression on me. Bringing together leaders from business, government, education, charities and local communities demonstrated the power of collaboration in tackling some of society's most pressing challenges. Hearing from individuals who are driving meaningful change reinforced my belief that leadership is not defined by position, but by the willingness to serve, create opportunities for others and turn purpose into action. The conversations throughout the day challenged my thinking, broadened my perspective and strengthened my commitment to creating positive social impact.
As a young leader, I left the event feeling both inspired and energised. It reminded me that the greatest impact is achieved when people from different backgrounds and sectors come together with a shared vision. My ambition is to continue developing as a leader who can bridge sectors, influence positive change and champion greater opportunities for those who need them most. Events like this not only provide valuable insights and connections but also reinforce the responsibility that young leaders have to contribute, challenge existing thinking and help shape a more inclusive and resilient future.
Ashna Dhaliwal – University of Greenwich
Attending The Purpose Coalition’s Summer Reception at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion was a moment I won't forget anytime soon!
The event brought together leaders from across business, government, health, and education to launch Sodexo UK & Ireland’s Supporting People, Strengthening Places Social Mobility Impact Report. But beyond the official speeches and the historic backdrop, what truly made the evening special were the conversations.
I had the chance to speak directly with Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition, as well as connect with incredible professionals across the legal and corporate space, including Felica from Stone King LLP, Lucy from Legal & General, Yusouf from Clyde & Co, and Stella Sambissa.
As someone at the start of my legal career, being in a room filled with people so genuinely committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity felt deeply relevant. We talked about how creating real change takes far more than just good intentions it requires measurable action, long-term commitment, and organisations that are actively willing to invest in talent regardless of background.
My own journey has shown me just how transformative mentorship, access, and genuine inclusion can be. Speaking with leaders who are actively shaping those pathways reinforced why I’m so passionate about being part of a legal sector that doesn’t just talk about social mobility, but actually drives it.
A huge thank you to The Purpose Coalition and Sodexo UK & Ireland for hosting such a thought-provoking evening, and to everyone I chatted with for making it so welcoming!
Huda Agham – University of Salford
I really enjoyed the reception. It was great to meet people from the organisations we’d been working with over the past few months in person and continue the conversations outside of the online sessions. I also enjoyed meeting other Purpose Lab students and hearing about the different sessions they’d been involved in and the projects they were working on. It was nice to connect with people who had similar interests and experiences.
Being at Parliament itself was a real highlight. It’s not an opportunity many students get, and it made me appreciate the impact of the work we’re contributing to through Purpose Lab. It was encouraging to see organisations, policymakers and students all in the same room, genuinely listening to each other’s perspectives.
Being involved with Purpose Lab has been a really valuable experience overall. It’s been interesting to see how much organisations genuinely value hearing directly from students and are willing to use that feedback to shape future programmes and initiatives. I’ve also become much more confident speaking in discussions and sharing my thoughts, and it’s given me the opportunity to learn about a wide range of industries and topics that I probably wouldn’t have explored otherwise.
