Social Impact Lab at the University of Southampton

01/05/2026

What a weekend it was at the Social Impact Bootcamp – Delhi Campus 2026!

Great to see the photos capturing the energy, teamwork and creativity that made it such a standout event.

Take a look and see what it was all about!

29/04/2026

Want to contribute your ideas on building a more sustainable future? 🌍

Join our interactive workshop to explore bold solutions, tackle real challenges, and contribute to a collaborative “jigsaw of change”. Delivered by sustainability researcher, author and creative thinker, Professor Denise Baden and inspired by her upcoming book, "A Jigsaw To Save The World."

🗓️ 6 May, 15:00–17:00
📍 Highfield Campus
👉 Register here: https://mycareer.soton.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=24797&service=Careers+Service

28/04/2026

An incredible weekend!

The Social Impact Bootcamp – Delhi Campus 2026 was packed with energy, creativity and brilliant ideas. From problem to pitch in just a few days, the quality and ambition on show was seriously impressive!

An inspiring few days and an amazing community in the making 💚

24/04/2026

Join our session “Building a Social Project That Lasts” on Wednesday 29 April - an interactive workshop where you’ll explore how purpose-driven ideas turn into sustainable, real-world initiatives.

Register here: https://mycareer.soton.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=24688&service=Careers+Service

Got an interest in social impact but not sure how your ideas can work in the real world?

Join our session “Building a Social Project That Lasts” - an interactive workshop where you’ll explore how purpose-driven ideas turn into sustainable, real-world initiatives.

💡 Learn how organisations balance mission and money
🔍 Understand how funding, structures and decisions work in practice
🛠 Build practical skills in strategy, problem-solving and business thinking

No experience needed - just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

📅 Wednesday 29 April, 16:00–18:00
📍 Sir James Matthews Building
👉 Sign up now : https://mycareer.soton.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=24688&service=Careers+Service

10/04/2026

University of Southampton Delhi Students! There are just TWO WEEKS to go until the Social Impact Bootcamp!

Register today and join us for a weekend of learning the skills that employers love, and your chance to win cash prizes! 💸

Find out more: https://thejunction.info/opportunities/social-impact-bootcamp/

🎉 TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🎉

University of Southampton Delhi Students! There’s still time to register to join us at the Social Impact Bootcamp where across one high-energy weekend you can:

🙌 Learn new skills that employers love
💚 Build your network
💰 WIN CASH PRIZES!

🏆 Whether it’s for your ideas, the strongest pitch, or a standout contribution, there are plenty of chances to get recognised and win!

Across one high-energy weekend, you’ll:
• Work in teams to tackle real-world challenges
• Learn how to turn ideas into viable projects, businesses, or social enterprises
• Build in-demand skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving
• Develop and pitch your idea to a panel
• Win team and individual prizes!

This isn’t just about prizes (though they’re a great bonus 👀) - it’s about gaining real experience you can talk about in interviews and use beyond the weekend.

No experience needed - just bring your curiosity and get stuck in.
🗓️ 24–26 April

👉 Find out more or apply now & don’t miss your chance to build, learn, and win 🚀
https://thejunction.info/opportunities/social-impact-bootcamp/

19/02/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert!

We’re excited to share that Dave Light, Social Impact Lab Manager, has featured on the Meliora Podcast – the award-winning series from the The Sustainability and Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton.

In this special Social Impact Lab episode, Dave sits down with Professor Simon Kemp to explore the story behind SIL – from its founding by Prof Pathik Pathak to the powerful work happening today. He also shares insights from his own career journey and how students can play a role in driving meaningful change.

The Meliora Podcast dives into the big challenges of sustainability – connecting the dots between society, environment, business and beyond – and this episode is a brilliant look at how students are already part of the solution.

🎧 Give it a listen and be inspired by what’s possible - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2262989/episodes/18691470

💬 Let us know your thoughts – we’d love to hear what resonates!

13/02/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of hearing from Steve Fleming MBE, Founder and CEO of Kick4Life - and what an inspiring evening it was! 💡

From using football as a force for social change to building a sustainable social enterprise model, Steve’s story was a powerful reminder that impact takes courage, creativity, and long-term commitment. Steve spoke honestly about the challenges of working in complex contexts, the importance of community, and what it really means to build something that lasts.

It wasn’t just inspiring - it was grounding. A real look at how passion, purpose and practical action come together to change lives.

Even better? The conversation didn’t stop when the talk ended. It sparked thoughtful discussions, new ideas and connections afterwards - exactly what we hope for at these events.

We absolutely love the community we’re building at the Social Impact Lab: curious, engaged, values-driven people coming together to think differently and act boldly.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Steve for sharing such an honest and motivating insight into building Kick4Life ⚽

Read more about it here: https://thejunction.info/event-highlights/kick4life/

12/02/2026

Turn your passion into action and join the Ford Mobility Accelerator Challenge 2026 – a 6-week development programme, designed to build skills, meet like-minded changemakers, and develop solutions that genuinely work – brought to you by Enactus UK.

They are looking for students like you to lead the way. Are you ready?

This 6-week development programme (worth £900+) is completely free, thanks to Ford. You’ll build practical skills through a guided design thinking process, connect with industry professionals, and develop your own mobility-focused social enterprise idea.

🙋 Open to all students (UG & PG)
👀 No experience needed - just motivation and curiosity
🌱 Chance to pitch to Ford and win seed funding
💻 Weekly online sessions + 1 in-person session in London (14 April)

Over six weeks, you’ll create a real solution to a real mobility challenge - with expert support, networking opportunities, and the chance to secure funding to bring your idea to life.

🗓️ Applications close 19 February at 3PM
👉 Apply here: https://forms.enactusuki.org/ford-accelerator-2026

Ready to lead the way?

29/01/2026

Congratulations to Naveed, winner of 100 Big Ideas, for re:search! 🎉

A powerful platform breaking down barriers to medical research by connecting students and researchers based on skills and motivation. An idea with real potential to transform access, collaboration, and innovation in healthcare.

16/01/2026

🎉 100 Big Ideas Winner Spotlight: Ellie MacDougall – Chalk and Chats 🎉

Huge congratulations to Ellie, one of our 100 Big Ideas winners, for Chalk and Chats - an inclusive climbing community that’s already making a real difference in Southampton!

Chalk and Chats is all about creating welcoming, supportive spaces for anyone who wants to try climbing - especially people who feel nervous, anxious, lonely, or don’t have someone to climb with. Running weekly sessions at The Climbing Hangar (and offering 1:1 climbing buddy support), Ellie has built a community rooted in kindness, confidence-building, and belonging.

We loved this idea because it shows how simple, human-centred ideas can create powerful social impact - opening up sport to marginalised communities and turning physical activity into connection, wellbeing, and safe space.

👉 Want to get involved? Check out on Instagram or visit www.chalkandchats.com and come along to a session. Everyone is welcome!

Remember, the 100 Big Ideas competition is still open! Apply now: https://forms.office.com/e/qJMsJxnYUW