Common Purpose has organised a workshop for alumni of the two Frontrunner Courses for Disabled Students from 2011.

The session, which was held on 6 December, was run as part of an agreement with sponsors Santander and aims to inspire over half of the Frontrunner Courses for Disabled Students alumni to take up a leadership role within a year of graduation.

Codruta Stefaniga, Senior Course Manager for Frontrunner, said: "On the day we had very good speakers who gave participants an idea of various leadership opportunities they could pursue in the future: school governors, trusteeships, business start-ups, opportunities with the students union. The highlight of the day was the keynote speech by David Neita, barrister and poet, who inspired the students a great deal. We didn't know when we invited him to speak, but he is running for Mayor of London in 2012 and offered the students an opportunity to advise him on disability issues, which interested some of them."

The 17 attendees on the day all found the event worthwhile, were grateful to connect with each other and become inspired about future leadership opportunities.

Comments from event participants included:

    "A great opportunity to reconnect with graduates and meet new ones. Inspirational speakers"

    "As always a good event with lots of great discussion"

    "Thank you, I love Common Purpose! I feel very inspired".

Common Purpose will continue its campaign to inspire disabled students to take up leadership positions by running two courses a year in 2012 and 2013.

The third Frontrunner for Disabled Students course will run from 1-3 February in Glasgow. The fourth will take place from 4-6 July in Liverpool.

Many alumni are now establishing their own disability charities, while fulfilling the role of disability representative at their universities and making sure they pass all of their exams!