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Student Consultancy Programme Success: local charity “blown away” by student team’s “inspiring ideas”
Posted on behalf of: Careers and Entrepreneurship
Last updated: Monday, 5 January 2026
Grace (Law with Politics LLB), who was part of the Furniture Now! student consultancy team
Applications are currently open for the Spring Student Consultancy Programme. Running twice a year, this programme offers a unique opportunity to work on a real-life challenge being faced by an organisation. As a participant you’ll join a team of students and be matched to a brief focused on sustainability, business, or community impact.
We recently spoke with Grace, a Law with Politics LLB student, and Professor Denise Turner, Trustee at Furniture Now!, a furniture recycling and social impact charity, to learn about their experiences on both sides of the programme. Grace’s team was tasked with exploring how the organisation could maximise income to improve its charitable objectives.
Read on for an inspiring Q&A, and more information about the Student Consultancy Programme!
Denise's client experience
Denise, as a client, how was your experience of collaborating with our student consultants?
The five students showed maturity and professionalism – qualities which will stand them in very good stead for their CVs and future careers. The students were an absolute pleasure to work with from beginning to end. They were always reliable and worked efficiently in a team. Two students also made a visit to our Lewes store.
The students’ final deliverable was a presentation showcasing their research and recommendations. How did it go?
The students presented at our Annual General Meeting and one of our new trustees described being ‘blown away’ by the quality and content of their presentation. The presentation was impeccably designed and the research behind it was genuinely inspiring, as well as the ideas which met the brief and actually exceeded [the brief]. We cannot thank the students enough for their inspiring ideas and professionalism throughout. We hope they will stay in touch with Furniture Now! as we move forward - which will include acting on many of their ideas!
What advice would you give to students considering applying to the Student Consultancy Programme?
I would say ‘go for it’ as they will surprise themselves as much as [our student consultants] surprised us with the quality, innovation, and professionalism they showed.
Grace’s student consultant experience
Hi Grace! What was your motivation for applying to the Student Consultancy Programme, and how would you describe the application process?
I applied to the student consultancy programme because I wanted to gain real-world work experience and use the skills I've learnt through my degree outside of the classroom. I’m particularly passionate about sustainability and the environment, so having the chance to work with an organisation making a tangible impact in that space was really appealing. I saw it as an opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while learning practical skills that would support my career ambitions.
The application process was straightforward and not overly formal. To be a successful applicant, I would recommend clearly demonstrating your personal motivation for wanting to take part. It’s important to communicate why you’re interested, what you hope to gain, and how your passions align with the programme. Being genuine about your motivations really helps you stand out.
What were your most memorable moments – and were there any challenges?
The highlight of my experience was definitely being invited to Furniture Now!’s AGM to present our findings to their board of trustees. It felt really special to share our work directly with the people who drive the charity forward. We had the opportunity to meet some genuinely inspiring team members and hear more about the impact they make every day. Everything we had been working on felt truly valued.
The main challenge we faced as a group was scheduling. With each of us coming from different academic disciplines and balancing other commitments, finding mutually convenient times to meet was often tricky. Whenever someone couldn’t attend a meeting, we made sure they were fully updated on discussions, developments, and next steps.
How do you plan to use the skills and experience you developed during the programme?
This programme has already helped me develop skills that I will use throughout my career. Presenting our findings to Furniture Now!’s trustees gave me confidence in communicating professionally and engaging with senior stakeholders. I also learned the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and structured project management skills that are transferable to almost any workplace. In the future, I will draw on this experience whenever I’m collaborating across disciplines or working on projects that require clear communication and practical problem-solving.
Take part in the Student Consultancy Programme
Applications are open now for the Spring Student Consultancy Programme.
Student Consultancy offers a unique chance to gain hands-on work experience by tackling a live project set by an external organisation. These projects may focus on business, sustainability, or community impact.
As part of the programme, you’ll receive training in key professional skills, including:
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Project management
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Team collaboration
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Presentation delivery
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Showcasing your experience effectively on your CV and in interviews
Final year undergraduates and taught postgraduates are eligible to apply, and applications are open until midnight on Sunday 18 January.
Further information: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/careers/career-lab/student-consultancy