Making water scarcity visible in everyday life
When water arrives every time we turn on a tap, it is easy to give little thought to how much we use. That was one of the starting points for Business Stream’s first Purpose Lab session, which brought participants together with the Purpose Coalition to explore awareness of water scarcity and what could encourage people to use less.
Designing affordable student homes around everyday life
A shared kitchen can sound like an attractive way to bring a building together. But what happens when everyone needs breakfast before a morning lecture? That question from one participant captured the value of Watkin Jones’ second Purpose Lab session: testing ideas for more affordable student accommodation against the routines of the people who would live there.
Making pensions relevant to the lives young people want to build
A home, a car, further study or the chance to travel: participants in Legal & General’s fifth Purpose Lab session had plenty of ideas about what they wanted money to help them achieve. Retirement sat further from their immediate plans. The conversation explored how pensions could become more relevant within that wider picture of financial wellbeing.
Making apprenticeships a choice young people can picture
Why do young people choose university over an apprenticeship? At Active Care Group’s fourth Purpose Lab session, participants challenged the assumption within that question.An invitation to comment is only the beginning of meaningful participation. Young people also want to know whether their ideas can influence a decision, and what happens after the conversation ends.
Giving young people a real say in horticulture
An invitation to comment is only the beginning of meaningful participation. Young people also want to know whether their ideas can influence a decision, and what happens after the conversation ends.
Purpose Lab Ambassador Spotlight - Amel Bouacida
Amel, a student at the University of Southampton, is our first Purpose Lab Ambassador of the Month.
Purpose Lab students take their voices to Parliament
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.
What young people want from the future of workplace support
Personal Group’s series of Purpose Lab sessions explored what young people expect from employers as they prepare to enter the workplace. Across the sessions, students spoke at length about workplace wellbeing, health and protection products, graduate recruitment, benefits technology, life-event support and, most recently, expectations around pay, progression and workplace culture.
Young adults, the NHS and remote specialist care
Medefer recently took part in a Purpose Lab session with students from universities and colleges across the UK to explore how young adults view consultant-led, digitally enabled outpatient care as part of the NHS.
What Purpose Lab Taught a Science Student About the World Outside the Lab
Purpose Lab has not just broadened my knowledge. It has made me more curious about the world beyond my discipline, and for a scientist, that might be the most useful thing of all.
Gardens with purpose: Reflections from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Through the Purpose Lab’s partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, students had the opportunity to experience the show first-hand, gaining insight into a sector that is often seen as traditional, specialist or difficult to access.
College students to gain career insights from leading employers in new masterclass programme
The Purpose Coalition has launched Purpose Lab Masterclasses, a new series of employer-led masterclasses delivered in partnership with two leading further education colleges, Capital City College (CCC) and Newcastle College Group (NCG).
Students, businesses and the push for fairer opportunities
Being a Student Ambassador with Purpose Coalition has been such an eye-opening experience.
Shaping Skills, Creating Impact: My Purpose Lab Journey
Over the past six months, my experience as an Event marketing Assistant with Purpose Lab has been creatively challenging and personally transformative.
How Purpose Lab has helped me to think more intentionally
The environment has also played a big role in the experience that I have had. It has always been supportive and open, making it comfortable to share ideas and hear different perspectives.
Closing the Gap: What Young People Actually Want from Employers
Across recent Purpose Lab sessions with PGL Beyond, RHS, Personal Group, and Active Care Group, a clear and consistent insight emerged - young people are not disengaged. Instead, they are highly responsive to organisations that demonstrate a genuine understanding of their lived experiences.
My Odyssey of Purpose and Growth: Experiences as a Student Ambassador
My experience as Purpose Lab’s Student Ambassador was precisely that: a crucible of growth, purposeful leadership, and insight.
Why purpose matters to me
Purpose drives life, not just scientifically through evolution, but it helps give life meaning.
Attraction, retention and support of women in Facilities Management
Our latest Purpose Lab session brought senior members of Sodexo’s Schools & Universities business together with female students at the University of Greenwich’s Medway Campus to explore what it takes to attract, retain and support women across Facilities Management (FM), including engineering, security and operational roles.
Listening to young people - what Historic Royal Palaces learned through Purpose Lab
Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) has taken part in a series of engagement opportunities with young people to test their perceptions of the sector and its work.