A Lancaster hospice benefited from the business skills of University students, who turned small investments into real profit as part of their programme.

Members of the Lancaster University Management School MSc Management course (MiM) raised more than £275 for St John's Hospice through their Entrepreneurship Bootstrapping Challenge.

The exercise saw the students take their lecture theatre learning into the marketplace, piloting their business concepts and designing, strategising, and executing them from scratch.

All the groups started with a budget of just £5 or £6 as they confronted the fast-paced realities of market research, budgeting, project management, and teamwork, putting into practice what they had learned during the course.

MiM Programme Director Dr Bingbing Ge said: “The results have been outstanding. Students demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial ability, careful strategic planning, and a deep understanding of what it takes to test a business concept in a competitive landscape.

“The challenge is a perfect example of how we bridge the gap between academic theory and practical management. I am incredibly proud of the rigour, adaptability, and pure entrepreneurial spirit our students showed throughout this process.”

Teams’ creative ideas included making decorations and keyrings, custom teas, portrait-making, film, and event hosting. For many of the programme’s international students, the challenge offered an immersive opportunity to analyse and engage directly with the UK market.

The students visited St John’s Hospice to make the donation from their profits, and spent time with hospice CEO Sue McGraw, who spoke with them about the importance of leadership and social purpose.

MiM student Eshita recognised the importance of their work resulting in the donation, and said: “The visit to the hospice was an eye-opening and deeply inspiring experience. It encouraged us to look beyond the pursuit of profits and reflect on the importance of giving back to society.

“Sue shared her thoughtful perspective and inspired us with a new way of looking at leadership, purpose, and social responsibility. Her words left a lasting impression and reminded us that true success is measured not only by achievements but also by the positive impact we create in our communities.”