Our fifth Frontrunner for Disabled Students leadership course in association with Santander, took place in Nottingham last week. Having now received applications from 82 universities across the UK, nearly 200 disabled university students have taken part in these courses in the last three years.

Throughout the three day course the students met a wide range of senior leaders from organisations including ITN, Big Lottery Fund, Princes Trust, NHS East Midlands and HMP Lowdham Grange who shared their leadership stories and insights with the group. Visits included YMCA, Geldards LLP, Groundwork and One Nottingham, exploring the real life leadership challenges those organisations are facing with the students challenged to find possible solutions to help them move forward.

We were lucky enough to welcome one of the participants of the first Frontrunner for Disabled Students course as a contributor on the last day, Suzi Rees, who has won several awards for her groundbreaking campaign to improve the accessibility of adventure sports. Her charity iDID hosts events all over the UK introducing disabled people to a myriad of different sports. Suzi and three other participants on the course came up with the idea for the charity during the course itself, and it was formed shortly afterwards. 

The feedback from the participants was excellent and it included:"This course has been the best thing I have done in my adult life. I can honestly say I have never felt so positive about myself. I have to say I have never met such a group of inspirational speakers and I know I have made friends for life. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity."

The Frontrunner for Disabled Students campaign aims to develop the leadership capabilities of disabled students, empowering and inspiring people who have faced difficult obstacles in their lives. In a recent survey of alumni of this course, 98% said they would recommend the course to other disabled students. The next course will be taking place in Liverpool in February 2013 and we are already excited about continuing to reach out to students with this fantastic opportunity.