Working on a project with a local charity opened second-year law student Emily’s eyes to a new career direction. She is now interested in working in the charity sector, using the law to push for social change.
According to the Health Foundation, one fifth of the UK population – around 14 million people – live in poverty, with children and disabled people disproportionately affected.
This is a statistic that Emily believes the next generation of graduates and leaders must change.
So, while studying law at Southampton, she decided to make a difference in the local community. She applied to be part of a Student Innovation Project (SIP) working with a local charity.
The project involved working with Miracle Street, a Christian charity that aims to reduce poverty in Southampton. This is a cause that I strongly value and something I was keen to support.
Emily, second-year law student
From lecture theatre to double decker
SIPs are projects designed for students to gain valuable experience working on a real-life business or social issue with other students from across disciplines.
Emily and her teammates had the task of recommending how a double decker bus could be used by local charity Miracle Street, to benefit Southampton’s most vulnerable citizens.
A converted double decker bus was recently donated to Miracle Street by Emma Henderson MBE who set up Project Wingman during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project saw 6,500 furloughed aircrew travelling in on buses to support the NHS.
Miracle Street’s bus was used to great effect visiting hospitals from Truro to Inverness, providing respite and support for nurses and other frontline NHS staff.
“The bus is fully converted with versatile seating areas and no longer licensed to carry passengers,” says Paul Woodman, Church Leader and Social Action Specialist at Miracle Street.
“Together with our partners, including Southampton City Council and Safer City Partnership, we would love to see the bus used widely across Hampshire, building on its strong NHS heritage,” he adds.
Bringing different perspectives together to drive change
The team-based nature of the Miracle Street Bus was also something that appealed to Emily.
I enjoy working collaboratively and saw it as a great opportunity to meet people beyond my degree programme and work together.
Emily
The SIP involved two student teams researching all the ways similar buses have been used in different places around the world.
“As a team, we brainstormed potential uses for the bus and then researched and developed these ideas further. We produced a business report that outlined our three strongest recommendations. For each recommendation, we assessed commercial viability, explored potential partnerships, considered financing options, and developed marketing ideas,” says Emily.
Paul explains the value that a student perspective has brought to Miracle Street:
“The benefit of this project to Miracle Street is immense. We received two well-presented reports, which we have shared with our partners, including the NHS and Southampton City Council. We are now looking at partnering with organisations across the city and further afield to allow the bus to continue its caring work,” says Paul.
As a direct result of the Emily and her team’s work, Miracle Street Bus is already being used in a variety of ways to help reduce poverty in Southampton. Emily and her teammates provided fresh ideas for how the bus can be used to further support the charity’s mission. These ideas have the potential to create a real and positive impact for people in the local community.
Getting ahead after graduation
Emily explains that working on the project enabled her to showcase the skills employers want, giving her an edge when applying for jobs after graduation.
I developed a range of valuable skills. One of the most important was teamwork. Working effectively with others required collaboration, task delegation, and strong communication within the group.”
Emily
“I also developed project management skills by helping to manage the project from start to finish. Client communication was another key area of development. This included managing email correspondence, drafting professional communications, and meeting with the client in person to ask questions and gather information.”
The project also encouraged creativity and adaptability. Emily learned new skills such as how to structure and write a professional business report.
Emily particularly enjoyed the chance to think creatively, particularly when developing marketing ideas and entrepreneurial concepts for how the bus could be used.
“These are all skills that will be very useful in my future career,” she reflects.
Combining passion for care in the community with your subject
“This experience has inspired me to become more involved in charitable and community work. For example, I am hoping to take part in the Oakhaven Walk in 2026, raising funds for Oakhaven Hospice,” she says.
The experience has opened Emily’s eyes to the incredible work that people in the local community do to support others.
“Meeting people like Paul, who are so passionate about their work, was truly inspiring, and it encouraged me to think more about how I can contribute to similar causes.
I still want to pursue a career in law, but this experience has broadened my interests and introduced me to the charitable sector in a new way. I am now interested in charity law, supporting charities and non-profit organisations with legal aspects and governance.
Emily
