"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." 

John Quincy Adams

Students' Unions play a pivoting role in empowering students to make change, and be leaders within their local and wider community. This ranges from providing opportunities of becoming a Student Rep on your course, being part of Sport club, Societies, Network, the hundreds of volunteering activities, and many more. 

As it's coming to the end of the academic year, and many of you are finishing off exams, courseworks, or some lucky ones are packing to head back home for the summer... It is a good time to look back on the year you've had, and take in how much a year changes people. 

This year, It has been such an honour to be able to support all the Networks to become amazing leaders within their community. Networks have grown from strength to strength, and I know next year will simply be even better. 

I couldn't be more proud of all the work that Networks do. My job would be extremely dull without all of you around! 

UWE Olympic Future Flames

Many of you may be aware of the Olympics coming up very shortly. And many of you may have gone to see the Olympic torch pass through your town. But do you know what all the fuss is about? There has been 8000 "Olympic Future Flames" chosen, for various of reasons, selected for being "ordinary people doing extraordinary things" - We are very lucky here at UWE to have 4 people chosen to carry the Olympic Torch, and you can read about their stories below. 

There's a future flame in all of us

It was an extreme honour to have been selected as one of the 8000 Olympic Torch Bearers. I wish I could do a Mean Girls moment, and share the Olympic torch with every student, who have inspired me along the way. 

I am very lucky to have the job that I have now, though it definately didn't just land on my lap. I ran two unsuccessful Students' Union elections before successfully winning the election in 2011, and then being re-elected in 2012. The important thing is not giving up, and keep yourself focused on where you wish to be. 

Whilst at University, there are various barriers that may come in our way, making our journey through our studies trickier than expected. It's essential that you make the most of the opportunties that you have an offer, and most importantly to not give up. 

"Life is too short to wake up with in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."