DurhamGate, County Durham’s leading regeneration development, is launching a new £50,000 DofE initiative to support young people doing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award across the county.
The DurhamGate developers, along with Durham County Council, Sedgefield Borough Homes, Bishop Auckland College and partner businesses and organisations, have committed funds and resources to lead this new initiative, which will support a minimum of 50 young people in the first year.
The initiative has also been backed by County Durham MPs Roberta Blackman-Woods, Helen Goodman and Phil Wilson.
DurhamGate, a partnership between Carillion Developments, part of Carillion plc, and regional property business, Arlington Real Estate, is working closely with the Charity, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, to have a positive effect on the lives of young people in the local area and improve their skills, self-confidence and career prospects.
As the leading youth achievement award in the country, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award aims to double the number of young people from all backgrounds doing their DofE, with a particular focus on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Employers are looking for DofE Award holders when they recruit, and independent research shows that the DofE develops the skills young people need for work, including leadership, team-working, problem-solving and communication skills.
Administered by Bishop Auckland College, DurhamGate will recruit young people from across the county, particularly South West Durham where there is currently no DofE provision. A number of the first group will be identified by Sedgefield Borough Homes from among its communities.
Alongside the programmes founders, a group of businesses, known as ‘Friends of DurhamGate’, will support the programme through funding and will provide valuable work experience placements for DofE participants.
The first ‘Friends of DurhamGate’ to join the initiative are NG Bailey, Thorn Lighting and Spennymoor Area Action Partnership. DurhamGate is encouraging other County Durham businesses to get behind the initiative, which is designed to help young people fulfil their potential and increase their employability skills.
Participants on the initiative will work towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards by taking part in a number of community and employment-related activities. The group will also embark on the renowned Expedition section of their DofE programmes.
Neil McMillan, Director of Carillion Developments, said: “DurhamGate is passionate about creating worthwhile opportunities for young people, which improves their lives and can help set them on the path to a career that is beneficial to them and helps to support more sustainable communities. The life skills earned by doing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes should not be underestimated. I am sure this initiative will ignite new ambitions in the participants and have a profound effect on their futures.”
Neil added: “The support from Durham County Council, Bishop Auckland College, Sedgefield Borough Homes and the ‘Friends of DurhamGate’ has been invaluable in making this programme a reality. With the involvement of more business from the area we can make a difference to a lot more young people across County Durham.”
Nicola Meredith, Director – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, North East Region said: “The launch of this programme is fantastic news for young people in County Durham. Participation in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award boosts young people’s motivation, self-belief and confidence as well as giving them the appetite to try something new. It also improves their resilience and perseverance and has a positive effect on how they interact with others. All this has a direct impact on their future prospects in education, training and employment.”
DurhamGate are now inviting young people to register their interests in participating in the DurhamGate Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. They should send a brief paragraph on why they would like to be involved to either durhamgatedofe@bacoll.ac.uk or DurhamGatedofe, c/o Bishop Auckland College, Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham. DL14 6JZ. Closing date is 11th November 2011.