Suffolk New College – DofE Diamond funding

Martin Memory – DofE Manager

Suffolk New College is expanding their DofE delivery, and offering opportunities to more young people during the pandemic.

Helena Moles, Higher Education Liaison Co-Ordinator at the college, wanted to offer DofE to students as she believes: “Completion of the DofE is a great asset for young people. Our hopes are that this will help raise the aspirations of our students, ensuring better opportunities for progression after college.”

Helena approached her Operations Officer for support and put in a successful bid for DofE Diamond funding to help set up DofE. The College successfully delivered the Bronze Award to 16 young people in the first year of delivery and now have 37 students enrolled for this academic year.

Martin Memory is the DofE Manager at the College and he is keen to extend delivery to more students next year. Martin says: “We have students that had missed the opportunity during high school to engage with DofE, either due to the affordability or failing to perhaps see the value that it could bring to their development. With more and more students competing for the ever decreasing job market, we have found that DofE means even more now to help young people be work ready!” he continues “We are excited to enrol our new cohort and face the challenges of the continued pandemic while delivering exceptional learning experiences within Suffolk New College.”

Thanks to the DofE being introduced at the College, Martin has already seen the positive impact it has on the young people as well as the surrounding community. He recalls one student who would not normally have had the opportunity to sign up for DofE, but with the help of funding was able to. Her confidence grew as she completed each section and she is now considering higher education for the first time.

The community around New Suffolk College has certainly felt the benefits as young people have completed their volunteering activities, giving back their time to the community. Many students have supported charity shops as well as getting involved with NHS admin roles and Special Constabulary duties. The most recent DofE cohort have been raising funds for a charity connected to the Chapman Centre, which provides support for homeless people in Ipswich.