The DofE welcomes newest Charter Founder Members
Last week long-standing DofE supporters Amey were welcomed as our newest Charter Founder Members in with a reception and presentation at Oxfordshire County Hall. Peter Westgarth presented Amey’s Charter Founder certificate to their CEO Mel Ewell, at a short ceremony that included contributions from young people who are benefiting from taking part in the DofE in Oxfordshire.
Accepting the certificate, Mel Ewell said “We believe the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an incredibly important programme, offering young people the opportunity to experience fresh challenges and acquire new skills, whilst at the same time contribute to their local community.
We are very proud to have been named a Founder Member at last night’s event and look forward to continuing our work with the Partnership in order to ensure even more young people in Oxfordshire have the chance to participate in the future."
In addition to their support of the national charity, Amey have been instrumental in the success and growth of the Award in the county over the past five years. Over that time the number of young people involved in the DofE has grown by over 60% to over 2000, and the numbers completing Awards has nearly doubled in that time. Other key results of the Amey - DofE partnership include a major increase in the number of volunteering hours young people have contributed to benefit their communities.
There has also been a significant movement of the DofE programme into ‘non-traditional’ areas working with hard to reach young people including those not in education employment or training. Ben Pound – 19, and homeless when he started his Bronze 10 weeks ago – told his story at the presentation.
“I started with the DofE 10 weeks ago, when I was at an arts workshop. I didn’t realise what it was or I’d probably not have bothered. I sat in when Martin from Project Future Steps was talking about kayaking and mountain climbing. It sounded like fun."
Project Future Steps is run by Oxford’s Riverside Youth Centre, using the DofE Bronze as the framework to engage disadvantaged young people in positive activities and give them a formal qualification for their efforts.
“It’s really important that they have something employers recognise” explains Centre Manager Rob Yates – “In order to gain the qualification they also have to put in extra time and commitment. Project Future Steps ends after 10 weeks, and it takes a few weeks longer to finish a DofE Bronze.”