Beyond the Books: Participating in Parliamentary Events as a Student

When I first joined university, I thought my impact as a student would begin and end with grades and deadlines. But everything changed when I got involved with the Students’ Union and charities like School Food Matters and The Food Foundation. I quickly realised that young people’s stories and experiences can drive real change. All it takes is a voice willing to be heard.

That realisation led me to Parliament.

My first ever parliamentary event was in 2023 with The Vegan Society at Portcullis House, where I attended an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) discussion on vegan-based hair care products. While the topic wasn't directly aligned with my academic focus, I went to observe and understand how these spaces worked.

How I got involved

My journey to Parliament didn’t begin with a grand invitation or formal connection. I saw my university's Students' Union attend a parliamentary event and it suddenly clicked: wait, ordinary people can go to Parliament?

Curious and a bit excited, I did some digging. That’s when I discovered, through sites like Eventbrite, the surprising number of APPG meetings, policy briefings and discussion panels hosted at Parliament that are open to the public. I started attending these events, sometimes purely out of interest, other times because they aligned with my work in public health nutrition.

I’ve attended APPG events on employment, education, artificial intelligence and even healthcare science. Eventually, as I started getting involved with charities and advocacy organisations, I found myself being invited to Parliament for report launches and campaigns I had actively contributed to. I wasn’t just attending these events — I was part of them.

I’ve now spoken at events across Portcullis House, the House of Commons and even the House of Lords. These opportunities weren’t just exciting for my CV; they were transformative experiences where I got to leave a piece of my story in some of the UK’s most powerful spaces.

If you’re a student wondering where to start, check platforms like Eventbrite, follow relevant APPGs and get involved with charities or university societies. It’s not about who you know, it’s about searching and showing up.

What a typical event day looks like

So, what’s it like to attend a parliamentary event? Honestly, both surreal and empowering.

The first time I walked through the doors, I felt a strange mix of excitement and imposter syndrome. You're walking into this historic, formal space and yet there you are — someone who simply followed a link on Eventbrite and showed up out of genuine interest.

Events can range from APPG meetings to charity report launches or briefings on urgent public matters. There is usually a panel of speakers along with MPs, researchers, charity representatives and people with lived experience in the room. Most sessions are followed by a Q&A or opportunities for informal networking.

How to prepare for a parliamentary event

No one hands you a guidebook, and in my case, the university didn’t offer any formal training or support. I did this entirely off my own curiosity. If you’re genuinely passionate, that’s honestly all the preparation you need.

Here’s what helped me:

• Research the event or host organisation beforehand: Know the key speakers, their backgrounds and what’s being discussed. It’ll help you follow the conversation and ask meaningful questions.
• Bring business cards or have your LinkedIn ready: You never know who you’ll meet.
• Have a question prepared: If there’s an open Q&A, don’t be shy! It’s a great way to make an impression.
• Dress semi-formally: You don’t have to go in a full suit but aim for smart-casual to blend in with professionals.
• Confidence, not perfection: You belong in the room. Even if you’re not a policy expert, your lived experiences and perspectives matter.

What did I learn?

You don’t need to be an expert to show up. You just need to care.

Being involved in these spaces has helped me build meaningful connections with MPs and thought leaders. Many of them chair or attend APPG events, making these sessions perfect for relationship-building and professional growth.

If you're a student reading this, especially one from an international background, I urge you: get involved. Raise your hand. Send that email. Attend that event. Your perspective matters more than you think.

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