Announcing our Pulse for Change Winners 2026
Empowering Medical Students to Drive Global Health Impact 🌍
The Pulse for Change competition, delivered by the Social Impact Lab in partnership with the University of Southampton’s Faculty of Medicine celebrates the creativity, ambition and compassion of University of Southampton medical students who are determined to make a difference in health and wellbeing.
Through funding, mentoring and practical support, Pulse for Change empowers students to turn bold ideas into action, from healthcare innovations to community projects and social enterprises. This year’s winners demonstrate the power of student-led innovation to tackle real-world health challenges and create meaningful social impact.
🥇 1st Place – Eunice Aroyewun – Future Champions Initiative
Taking first place was Future Champions Initiative, a community-led project founded by University of Southampton PhD researcher Eunice Aroyewun.
Building on her research into emotional wellbeing among underserved young people, Eunice has developed an innovative programme combining football training, mentorship and wellbeing discussions to support young people facing disadvantage in Southampton.
Working closely with young people, the local council and community partners, Eunice has used a participatory approach to ensure the initiative responds to the needs and priorities of the community itself. As she explains, “Listening to their experiences and understanding their priorities” has been central to shaping the project.
Through regular sessions, Future Champions provides a welcoming environment where young people can develop practical skills, build confidence and resilience, and strengthen their social connections.
With £1,500 from Pulse for Change and a further £500 from the Student Enterprise Fund, Eunice has been able to translate her research into meaningful community action. The programme is already underway, with encouraging feedback from participants. As one young person shared, “The training is very helpful for people who are struggling to gain skills.”
Future Champions demonstrates the powerful potential of research-led, community-driven innovation to improve wellbeing, tackle inequalities and empower young people to reach their full potential.
🥈 2nd Place – Sophie Bidwell – Menopower
Taking second place was MenoPower, an innovative preventative health and fitness platform developed by fifth-year medical student Sophie Bidwell.
Recognising the challenges many women face in accessing appropriate support during menopause, MenoPower aims to bridge the gap between the fitness and wellness industry and evidence-led healthcare, empowering women to take greater control of their health and wellbeing.
By bringing together physical activity, preventative healthcare and accessible health information, Sophie’s vision is to create a more joined-up approach to menopause support, helping women navigate this important stage of life with greater confidence and understanding.
Awarded £1,000 through Pulse for Change, MenoPower demonstrates how student-led innovation can challenge conventional approaches to women’s health and create opportunities for more personalised, preventative care.
With support from the Social Impact Lab, Sophie is working to turn her vision into reality, contributing to a future where women feel better informed, supported and empowered throughout their menopause journey.
🥉 Joint 3rd Place – Lorinda Sokoli – Access Bridge
Taking joint third place was Access Bridge, a community-focused initiative developed by fifth-year medical student Lorinda Sokoli to help tackle social isolation and improve access to healthcare support for vulnerable communities.
Recognising that older patients particularly can face significant challenges navigating healthcare and community services, Access Bridge aims to connect isolated individuals with practical support, information and opportunities to engage with their local communities.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between healthcare services and community-based support, helping older people feel more connected, confident and empowered to access the help they need.
With a £500 award from Pulse for Change, Lorinda is working towards a six-week pilot to test the approach and explore how stronger connections between healthcare and community organisations can improve people’s wellbeing and independence.
Access Bridge demonstrates how student-led innovation can address the wider social factors that influence health, offering a compassionate, preventative approach to supporting older people and tackling loneliness.
🥉 Joint 3rd Place – Cameroon Catalyst – Birthing New Opportunities in 2026
Also taking joint third place was Cameroon Catalyst, a student society dedicated to improving lives through sustainable, community-led development projects in rural Cameroon.
Led this year by society President Ali Zomorrodian, a fourth-year medical student, the society’s Birthing New Opportunities in 2026 project aims to improve maternal healthcare by supporting the refurbishment of maternity facilities in Bambouti, Cameroon.
Recognising the challenges faced by women giving birth in rural communities with limited healthcare infrastructure, the project seeks to create a safer, more dignified environment for mothers and newborn babies, helping to address inequalities in access to essential maternal healthcare.
With a £500 award from Pulse for Change, Cameroon Catalyst will be able to support improvements to local maternity facilities, building on the society’s commitment to working with communities to deliver meaningful, lasting change.
The project demonstrates the power of student-led international partnerships to address global health inequalities, combining the enthusiasm and expertise of Southampton students with a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in underserved communities.
(Right) The Team from Cameroon Catalyst; Ali Zomorrodian, Oliver Gregory and Oscar Lopez-Cottrell receiving their award from Professor Karl Staples, Associate Dean, Faculty of Medicine
💡 Empowering the Next Generation of Medical Changemakers
The Pulse for Change competition celebrates the creativity, compassion and ambition of the University of Southampton’s student community, showcasing how innovative thinking, research and community action can come together to tackle health inequalities, improve wellbeing and turn bold ideas into meaningful social impact.
Inspired to make a difference? Pulse for Change will return in spring 2027, offering another opportunity for students to turn their ideas into action. Whether you have a fresh approach to a healthcare challenge, an innovative social enterprise idea or a project that could improve lives, now is the time to start thinking!
Have an idea already? You don’t need to wait until the competition opens. Get in touch with the Social Impact Lab to explore your idea and discover the support available to help bring it to life.