On Wednesday, 19th March 2025, we celebrated the grand finale of the LCR Live Well Challenge at Blackburne House—a five-week journey filled with creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving public health in our region. This entrepreneurial initiative brought together 85 University of Liverpool students, working in interdisciplinary teams to devise innovative solutions for public health challenges.
The Civic Data Cooperative has held an ongoing partnership with the University of Liverpool’s Careers and Employability Team to help deliver multiple iterations of this Student Entrepreneurial programme since 2022. This aims to provide extra-circular opportunities for undergraduate students from across university faculties, encouraging their entrepreneurial spirit by tackling the acute issues impacting the Liverpool City Region (LCR). The programme launched in Autumn 2022 with the growing rise of childhood asthma in LCR being the focus. Following the impact of this, the programme has continued successfully, with the challenge focussing on issues such as the UK cost of living crisis, digital poverty and the wider public health concerns impacting the LCR.
Student teams are encouraged to utilise available data to ensure an informed approach. At the start of each challenge, the CDC provide subject-specific statistics and background reading to give insight into the scope of the issues. Using this as a basis, students perform their own market research to ensure their ideas would enhance the current provisions in LCR, whilst also remaining innovative and sustainable. Suitable solutions are shortlisted and teams have the chance to win innovation vouchers or secure an internship funded by the CDC, potentially allowing their ideas to be taken forward and developing their appetite for skill development ready to embark of their post-study careers.
Throughout each challenge, the CDC has liaised with employers and key organisations across the region to give the programme entrepreneurial weight but most importantly, to provide the students with expert knowledge and mentorship. Over the years, we’ve had brilliant input from the public health team at Liverpool City Council, research colleagues at UoL and multiple businesses, whose participation has been invaluable. Cross-departmental collaboration with the University Careers and Employability Team was also vital in delivering and structuring the programme,
“This challenge has been a fantastic opportunity for students to develop key enterprise skills, expand their networks, and access exclusive internships. A huge thank you to everyone—participants, employer partners, and academic supporters—who played a role in making it such a success!”
Lib Golding, Project Manager
Congratulations to all winning teams who have participated in each iteration of the programme. As we reflect on this journey, we’re proud of the hard work from students and the innovative ideas that have emerged. This has proven to be a welcome extra-circular addition for students who want to broaden their skillset ready for the world of work. In addition to this, the CDC were pleased to help develop relationships and create a networking gateway between the students and local organisations. We have enjoyed delivering this programme and encouraging young talent to make an impact in the region they’ve chosen to study in.