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By magicbusuk

We’re Recruiting a Global Finance Manager

We're Recruiting a Global Finance Manager

Magic Bus is seeking a Global Senior Finance Manager to lead financial management across each of its Magic Bus Global, UK and Singapore entities (“three Magic Bus entities”). This is a senior, high-impact role, critical to supporting the organisation’s next phase of growth and strengthening its global finance function.

Based in London, UK and reporting to the Magic Bus UK Board and Executive Director (with alignment to Magic Bus Global and Singapore leadership), the role operates within an international development NGO environment. It combines hands-on financial management with strategic oversight, ensuring strong governance, compliance, and financial insight across multiple geographies.

The post holder will oversee end-to-end finance operations, manage outsourced providers (audit, payroll) and play a key role in driving financial sustainability and performance.  In addition, and when the opportunity arises, the post holder will support the fundraising initiatives of Magic Bus UK and any other Magic Bus entities as appropriate.

For more information about the role, please click here to download the full Job Specification.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by 8th June 2026.

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By magicbusuk

India at a Turning Point

India at a Turning Point:

How Philanthropy and Partnerships Will Shape the Future of Opportunity

Magic Bus UK hosted an evening of conversation and reflection, themed, India at a Turning Point: Education, Employability and Inclusive Growth in a Young Nation. We brought together leaders from across philanthropy, social impact and strategy to explore one central question:

How do we ensure that the world’s largest generation of young people have the opportunity to succeed?

India today stands at a defining demographic moment. With one of the youngest populations in the world, the country has enormous potential to drive economic growth, innovation and social progress. But unlocking this potential depends on how effectively systems support young people as they transition from education to meaningful employment.

A Conversation on Opportunity and Responsibility:

The evening featured a thoughtful panel discussion with three speakers: Matthew Spacie, Founder of Magic Bus; Deval Sanghavi, Co-Founder of Dasra; and Alex Ruhland-Syquia, Advisor at I.G. Advisors. Together, they explored how India’s demographic moment represents not only an extraordinary opportunity, but also a shared responsibility. From the realities faced by young people in underserved communities to the broader systems needed to support inclusive growth, the discussion highlighted the importance of building stronger pathways between education, employability and long-term economic participation.

One theme resonated throughout the conversation: the transition between education and employment remains one of the most fragile stages in a young person’s journey.

Each year, millions of young people complete school but struggle to access the opportunities, skills and networks needed to move into sustainable livelihoods. For many, particularly young women and those from marginalised communities, this transition becomes the point where potential risks being lost.

The Challenge of Innovating in the Social Sector

Another important topic that emerged was the reality of sustaining impact in the social sector. Charities today are expected to innovate constantly, adapting to shifting labour markets, emerging technologies and changing societal needs. The rise of artificial intelligence, digital skills and new forms of employment is rapidly transforming the capabilities young people must develop in order to succeed. Yet innovation itself carries risk. Many organisations recognise the need to test new approaches, integrate future skills and explore different programme models.

However, funding structures often prioritise proven results over experimentation, leaving limited room for charities to test new ideas. This creates a critical question for the sector: How can organisations innovate responsibly when the space to experiment is rarely funded?

The Catalytic Power of Philanthropy

This is where philanthropy plays a uniquely catalytic role. Unlike traditional funding structures, philanthropic capital has the ability to support bold ideas, systems change and long-term solutions. It can enable organisations to test approaches, learn from challenges and refine models that ultimately create more sustainable impact. When philanthropy invests not only in programmes but also in innovation and learning, it unlocks the possibility for deeper and more transformative change.

Across India’s social impact ecosystem, we need catalytic support that can strengthen organisations, build collaborative networks and develop new pathways for young people. The idea here is to prepare young people for a changing economy. As the global economy evolves, preparing young people for the future requires a broader approach to employability. Along with confidence, resilience and life skills that enable them to navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, technical knowledge or industry relevant skills are crucial now more than ever.

For charities like Magic Bus, this means equipping young people with both practical skills and personal capabilities from communication and problem-solving to digital literacy and adaptability. These skills are particularly critical for young people growing up in underserved communities, where access to opportunity is often limited.

By strengthening this transition from childhood to livelihood, organisations can help ensure that young people are not only employable, but empowered to shape their own futures. So what will enable the charity to bridge the Childhood to Livelihood gap?

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the evening was that no single organisation can solve these challenges alone. It is the power of Collaboration as the Path Forward.

Sustainable progress depends on collaboration across sectors, philanthropy, civil society, government and business working together towards shared outcomes. When these sectors align, it becomes possible to build systems that support millions of young people in accessing meaningful opportunities.

What we need is a Shared Commitment to the Next Generation, a cohort that has been through the pandemic during schooling, seen the rise of artificial intelligence during secondary education, facing a job scarcity during employment, and fighting inflation and cost of living for just existence? With these conditions, adding a complex layer – poverty means less access, and less opportunity.

Discussions like these remind us that when philanthropy, organisations and partners come together with a shared purpose, the potential for impact becomes far greater.

And for the millions of young people standing at the threshold of their futures, that collective effort could make all the difference.

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By magicbusuk

A New Beginning for 200 Young Learners in Bombay Port Trust

A New Beginning for 200 Young Learners in Bombay Port Trust

We’re proud to launch our first Community Learning Centre (CLC) in the BPT (Bombay Port Trust) community. A safe, nurturing space where 200 children will strengthen their Foundational Numeracy and Literacy (FNL) skills and build the confidence to stay in school and dream bigger.

Centres like this are the heartbeat of our mission, creating access to education, and opportunity where it’s needed most. A special thanks to Edward McMullan for funding this and Martin for being part of this incredible milestone and celebrating the inauguration in true Indian style!

This is where brighter futures begin. You can open more doors to learning and livelihoods and keep every child on the path from childhood to livelihood.

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By magicbusuk

Creating Young Leaders with Felsted School

Creating Young Leaders with Felsted School

Four Year 12 Felsted students took on the extraordinary Three Peaks Challenge in support of Magic Bus, completing one of the UK’s toughest endurance adventures. 

Their goal was to raise £1,500 to support communities like Dharavi in Mumbai but they went above and beyond, raising an amazing £4,000+ from generous supporters.

Read more on Felsted School’s website.

Beyond their Three Peaks fundraising, Felsted students travelled to India to visit Magic Bus communities and learn directly from our team, our young people, and local families. They interacted with the adolescents, played sports, and got a cultural glimpse through the art of Warli Painting.

This truly immersive experience exposed them to how life-skills, sport, and mentorship to empower young people from underserved communities, helping them move confidently from childhood to livelihood.

Read more about Felsted’s visit to our programmes on our LinkedIn Page.

If you are a parent or teacher and are interested in finding out how your school and Magic Bus can work together, check out our Schools Page to learn more about how partnering with us can be an enriching experience for students in the UK.

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By magicbusuk

A Visit from Felsted School

A Visit from Felsted School

Thank you Felsted School for visiting Magic Bus India Foundation –
Creating confident leaders, brighter futures and inspiring a new generation of change-makers.

Magic Bus UK were honoured to host Felsted School at the Magic Bus communities and we extend our heartfelt thanks for your incredible support, compassion, and enthusiasm throughout the visit.

This truly immersive experience took the Felsted team from exploring Mumbai’s vibrant culture to engaging with our communities, learning the traditional art of Warli painting, joining in local games, and even participating in rice farming.

Each moment reflected genuine curiosity, empathy, and a shared belief in the power of connection and learning. The community visit offered a first-hand look at how sports, life skills, and mentorship come together to empower young people from underserved communities, helping them move confidently from childhood to livelihood.

We are deeply grateful for Felsted School’s ongoing support and fundraising efforts, which continue to fuel our mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through life skills education and opportunity.

If your school or university would like to be part of this incredible journey, we invite you to learn more about our Global Youth Leadership Programme: a transformative cross-cultural experience designed to connect young minds and create global impact.

Contact us at [email protected] for more details.

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By magicbusuk

Anjali’s Story

Anjali's Story - Finding Her Voice

Like many young people from marginalised communities across India, Anjali faced significant challenges escaping the trap of youth unemployment. Growing up in a semi-urban family of four, Anjali’s father was the sole earner, bringing home ₨10,000 a month (around £90) working as a security guard, just enough to scrape by. Her mother was a homeworker, and her older siblings were still in school. As the youngest in the family, Anjali was deeply affected by her family’s financial struggles and was determined to help. However, with no knowledge about the job market or job-hunting process, Anjali struggled to know where to start.

Anjali’s situation became increasingly difficult as she faced a growing number of rejections and even unethical demands from employers in her job search. Her parents, understandably worried for her, were hesitant to let her accept any job offers, fearing fraud and exploitation. Without help, Anjali faced becoming one of the tens of thousands of young people trapped in unemployment, but Magic Bus was there to offer a way forward.

Introduced to the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme through a door-to-door enrolment campaign, Anjali was excited about the opportunity, though she doubted the programme’s job placement support was as good as advertised. To ease her concerns, the Magic Bus team invited her to meet with graduates from the programme who had successfully secured employment. Hearing these success stories first hand proved reassuring, and Anjali enrolled in the Livelihood Programme, hoping it would finally be the chance she needed.

Initially, Anjali struggled with communication and was lacking in confidence. She was reserved, struggled with her nerves, and was burdened by self-doubt. But with the support and guidance of the Magic Bus team, Anjali persevered, gradually opening up and making small but meaningful strides in her personal growth. Her commitment to creatively completing assignments and encouraging her peers was proof of her determination to succeed. Over time, Anjali found her voice, gained confidence, and became an active contributor during the sessions. Anjali also learned a variety of practical skills including CV writing, interview technique, computing skills and spoken English skills.

Upon graduating from the programme, Anjali quickly secured a position as an Assistant Coordinator with the global financial services company Allianz. Such a tremendous accomplishment, having overcome so many obstacles on the way was a dream come true. Anjali soon returned to the Magic Bus Livelihood Centre to express her gratitude and to share her experiences with the latest group of participants.

Today, Anjali is proud to make a significant contribution to her family’s wellbeing, her salary ensuring that they have a sustainable income for the first time. Her family is overjoyed at her progress, and Anjali credits Magic Bus for transforming her life and career:

“The first step is the hardest to take, but once you do, everything becomes easier. I took that first step by joining the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme, and now I’m able to support not only myself, but my family as well.”

Anjali’s story has inspired many more young people in her community, demonstrating that with dedication and the right support, no challenge is too big to overcome and success is always in reach.

To help more young women like Anjali find their voice and leave poverty behind, donate to Magic Bus UK today.

Donate Today
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By magicbusuk

An Expedition to the Himalayas in Support of Magic Bus

An Expedition to the Himalayas

We’re thrilled to share that Sanjiv Padmanabhan , Magic Bus UK’s new board member, is embarking on an incredible journey to Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar (5,550 meters above sea level) from 23rd Feb to 8th March – to raise funds for Magic Bus UK!

Sanjiv’s passion for creating opportunities for children, regardless of their background, aligns deeply with Magic Bus India Foundation’s mission to break the cycle of poverty and empower young lives. This inspiring expedition is not just a physical challenge but a commitment to helping children achieve their dreams.

Let’s cheer him on and support his fundraiser on JustGiving, today!

Support sanjiv, today

Thank you, Sanjiv!

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By magicbusuk

From Aspiration to Action

The Government of India has set itself the ambitious goal of significantly increasing its GDP by the year 2047, the centenary anniversary of India’s independence. To achieve this bold task, India will need to harness it’s female workforce by more than doubling the percentage of women in work, from 145 million today to 400 million over the next 23 years.

This enormous leap forward will be a tremendous challenge, which is why Magic Bus has partnered with one of the world’s leading management consultants, Bain & Company, to produce a report that identifies the barriers that women face, both rural and urban, to finding employment, and how they can be overcome.

Increasing the rate of female participation in the workforce in India will bring about a massive shift in the country’s attitudes to gender.

Click Here to Download the Full Report

Over the coming months, we’re going to be sharing more updates about the report, including a major launch-event in London to celebrate its release. 

To stay up-to-date with news about how we’re working to increase female participation in India’s workforce, how you can attend next year’s launch event, and to stay engaged with Magic Bus UK’s work in general to help children and young people leave poverty behind, please fill out the marketing sign-up form below.

News
By Ross Marshall

Seema’s Story

Seema's Story - Back to School

Meet Seema, a 14-year-old adolescent enrolled in grade 8 in Kolkata.

In January 2024, the adolescent collective at Seema’s school informed Magic Bus of her continued absence from school. Upon learning about this, the team conducted a home visit where the parents were not interested in having any discussion. However, given the prior rapport, they eventually agreed to speak to our team and shared that Seema had been forced to run away by a local boy who had convinced her to marry him and leave her studies behind.

While Seema realised the repercussions of her decision and came back home within a few days, she refused to attend school given her reluctance to face her peers from the same community.

The Magic Bus team, along with community volunteers, counselled Seema and held a meeting with the adolescent collective to came up with ways to enable a safe transition back to school and avoid any unwarranted comments from fellow classmates. Seema, with the constant support of the team and the collective, has now started attending school regularly.

With further encouragement to speak up during Magic Bus sessions, Seema has gradually regained her confidence and even shared how this journey has enabled her to truly understand the importance of continuing with her education. She wishes to study further, and her parents have expressed deep gratitude to the Magic Bus team for enabling their daughter to regain her confidence and have another chance at continuing her education.

News
By Ross Marshall

Khushi’s Story

Khushi's Story - A Guiding Light

“In the midst of an early marriage, my dreams of a bright career seemed lost. But then, like a guiding light in the darkest tunnel, the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme illuminated my path to hope and opportunity,” exclaimed Khushi, her voice filled with gratitude and determination.

Growing up in India’s state of Bihar, Khushi witnessed the challenges faced by women in her community that were dependent on their husbands. She dreamt of supporting her family by finding a job and earning her own money. However, Khushi’s parents both came from a conservative background, and strongly believed that an early marriage and a husband were what would secure her future.

Khushi became one of millions of young women across India forced into an early marriage. But Khushi remained determined that she would not become another statistic.

Khushi’s opportunity came when she, her husband, and her mother and father in-law, moved to South Delhi in search of better opportunities after the hardships of the COVID-19 lockdowns. There, Khushi learned about the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme, and the opportunities that it offered her. Despite firm insistence from her in-laws that their daughter-in-law should be a housewife, and endless criticism from people in her community, Khushi joined the Livelihood Programme, with encouragement from both her husband and from Magic Bus.

Over the next two months, Khushi developed the skills that would not only help her to find a job, but to succeed in the workplace. She learned how to improve her communications skills, work with a team, how to use a computer, speak basic English, how to write a CV and succeed in an interview. Thanks to all of this training and support, Khushi was able to pass a rigorous selection process and secure herself a highly coveted sales executive position at a local fintech firm, with a salary that will allow her to fulfil her lifelong goal of supporting her family.

Today, Khushi exudes confidence and joy as she thrives in her job, a testament to all her hard work and determination, and to the life-changing opportunities offered by the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme.

“The training has had a profound impact on my confidence. Magic Bus has equipped me with invaluable problem-solving and communication skills. The Magic Bus Livelihood Programme has truly been my guiding light.”

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