Growing up, Pip was always a bubbly, excited, passionate, and empathetic person and had many creative interests including Art and English.
“I've always had a lot of passions and got involved with many different things. I loved music at school; I played the cello for five years, I had this bright purple, sparkly cello! I also did singing lessons, and although I don’t sing as often now, I do enjoy a karaoke!
“I did a Media Production course in college, and I absolutely loved it. Then, when the time came to choose a university, my media teacher recommended TV Production at Bournemouth University.”
Once she arrived in Bournemouth, Pip became part of the Film Society and was instantly drawn to Nerve Radio, SUBU’s student-led radio station. Pip became heavily involved with the station during her first year, and Nerve became such a substantial part of her student life that she was elected as Nerve Radio’s Station Co-Manager for 2023/24.
“I didn't know that Nerve existed before I came, but I found them at Freshers' Fair and I thought, “I’m absolutely doing this!”... and then it suddenly became my entire life.”
An outlet to gain industry experience, Nerve Radio is a volunteering opportunity. Like most students Pip has felt the pinch of the increases in the cost of living, so she took on a variety of paid roles at BU and SUBU to help make ends meet.
As well as volunteering with Nerve, Pip worked as a Student Ambassador with BU. She has also worked at The Old Fire Station, and helped the SUBU Communications Team to create social media content focusing on student life.
Overall, Pip has had a rewarding time at university, making the most of her course and her interests at SUBU. She has contributed to Nerve Radio’s many successes, helping to make it a widely accessible and welcoming space for students to gain experience, find a community and follow their creative pursuits.
“I view myself as really lucky. I have found university amazing. I have found a real community here in SUBU and I've managed to do so much!
“One of my driving factors was that it was not as easy to find Nerve Radio online, so we've done a lot on social media to make sure people looking for us can find us or even those that aren't looking can stumble across us.”
As Pip wraps up her extraordinary time at BU, she is reflecting on the team’s many successes with Nerve Radio.
Presently, the station offers 65 weekly shows with student aimed content and launched a new podcast feature with six new podcasts, an extra breakfast show, and a weekly SUBU Hour show featuring notable themes and opportunities from the students’ calendar. Nerve Radio has also expanded its support for local artists and been contacted by over 30 bands and musicians in the area asking to appear on the new “Nerve Introducing” feature.
“This year, we won the SUBU Award for Best Nerve Outlet which was incredible to see our hard work had been recognised.
“Another highlight was when me and some of the committee went up to Leeds, to the Student Radio Convention award ceremony, and we came home with FIVE awards, including ‘Most Improved Radio Station’ and ‘Best Culture’, which just means that over the last year we've created a really friendly and welcoming community of people and we all felt, “They heard us! They finally saw us!”
Thanks to her involvement with Nerve Radio, Pip is planning to continue her student radio journey next year after her Graduation, as she has been selected as the South regional officer for the Student Radio Association.
“I have always loved radio, but I thought of it as a step towards my dream of working in television. Leaving Uni now I want to pursue radio as my ultimate career. I am completely fascinated with it.”
Want to find out more about Pip's journey with SUBU? Watch the video below.
You can also find the full 2023/24 Impact Report here.