tunde folawiyo london

by

Tunde Folawiyo | Bristol Rugby Club Announces DofE Initiative with Dallaglio Foundation

Tunde FolawiyoPartnered with the UK’s Dallaglio Foundation, the Duke of Edinburgh Award welcomes Bristol Rugby Club as the first to offer the prestigious DofE to its young players. At a presentation at London’s Saint James’s Palace,  DofE CEO Peter Westgarth and Paula Robertson, the Head of Programmes for the for the Dallaglio Foundation, presented the DofE license to several representatives in attendance including Bright Sparks Programme Manager Craig Capel,  Bristol Rugby and CEO Ben Breeze along with Bristol Rugby Community Foundation. Tunde Folawiyo and other supporters of the DofE may be pleased with the announcement and its impact on the growth of the programme.

The new partnership, dubbed ‘Powerful Together’ sees Lawrence Dallaglio Foundation join forces with the DofE to encourage surrounding rugby clubs to employ the Duke of Edinburgh Award for their young rugby players, ranging from aged 14 – 24. This initiative will serve as a major stepping stone in achieving the organisation’s goals of a brighter future for promising youth across the United Kingdom. Tunde Folawiyo and countless others may be aware of the DofE’s tremendous impact.

Students enrolled in the DofE programme are required to engage in volunteering, getting fit, learning a skill and planning and executing an adventurous expedition throughout a six to 18 month timeframe. These requirements are meant to promote a set of key life skills for its participants, including confidence, team work and commitment.

As one of the world’s foremost achievement awards for youth, the Duke of Edinburgh Award recognises sports as a valuable tool in encouraging young people to focus on personal development. Founder of the Dallaglio Foundation, Lawrence Dallaglio spoke of the potential sports carries for social change. He noted the DofE as the perfect charity to assist in achieving his goal of encouraging youth to explore success. The DofE plans to roll out the newfound initiative across Bristol during September.

Since its establishment, the DofE programme has sought to encourage young people across the United Kingdom and throughout the globe. In its quest to inspire youth to strive toward optimal self-development, the organisation continues to employ new projects meant to serve as a connection between the DofE and surrounding communities. Focusing on fitness, skill, adventurous journey and volunteering, DofE participants are pushed are encouraged to push their limits in hopes of awakening a newfound passion for self-improvement. Through the valued support of DofE proponents such as Tunde Folawiyo and numerous others around the world, the organisation will continue to thrive as it welcomes new participants every single day.

by

Tunde Folawiyo | DofE to host Clay Shoot at Windsor Great Park in June

As an organisation, the Duke of Edinburgh Award continually strives to bridge the gap between young people and their communities. The goals of the DofE revolve around encouraging youth throughout the globe to explore the world around them as they embark on the ultimate journey to self-discovery. On Thursday 12th June 2014, the DofE will host a Clay Shoot to be held at Windsor Great Park. Events such as these serve as a wonderful means of togetherness, a great opportunity to join students and DofE advocates for a day of fun. Tunde Folawiyo and countless other DofE proponents throughout the world may participate in these events to gain a better perspective of the organisation’s ongoing mission of a brighter future for millions of youth around the world.

Tunde Folawiyo The DofE is currently the only charity granted permission to hold a shoot at the Great Park by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Regardless of shooting experience, students, clients, colleagues and friends are all invited to participate in the day’s thrilling events. The day will begin with breakfast, followed by a shooting competition. A three course lunch will follow, after which an award ceremony honouring the day’s winning teams will take place. Additionally, there will be an auction to raise money for the DofE.

Throughout its history as an organisation, the DofE have employed a variety of methods to ensure a wonderful experience for their thousands of participants yearly. Through volunteering, physical fitness, harvesting skills and participating in adventurous journeys, DofE participants are expected to gain a worldly perspective of the issues to be encountered by the communities that surround them. As one of the world’s foremost charities for youth development, the DofE remains a highly respected organisation within the United Kingdom and several other nations around the world. DofE sponsored events such as June’s Clay Shoot serve an invaluable purpose of teaching young students new skills and encouraging them to remain active and involved with others in their communities.

For more information about the Clay Shoot or how you can further contribute to the DofE’s mission, please contact Tori by e-mailing Tori.Griffiths@dofe.org or by phoning 0207 798 2882. Tunde Folawiyo and countless others have already lent their support to the DofE and its thousands of worldwide participants. Through these continued efforts and the assistance of other valued advocates, the DofE will continue to forge a positive impact upon millions throughout the world.

by

Tunde Folawiyo | How the DofE is reducing crime rates in South Africa

Anyone who is familiar with the DofE, like Tunde Folawiyo, is probably aware of the fact that its introduction in South Africa has benefitted many people; the work of participants has had a ripple effect, resulting in incredible changes not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of those around them. Take for instance, Ross McCreath, a teen who joined the DofE (or the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, as it is known in SA) a few years ago.

Ross noticed that there were a worryingly large number of youths in the Nolukhanyo township involved in criminal activities. He decided to create a diversion of sorts, which would help his peers to channel their energy into something more positive. He formed a cricket team, got in touch with the local authorities to hire out a playing field, and began to arrange matches.

Shortly after the 40 team members began to practice, crime rates in the township started to drop. In addition to helping local teens, and making his community safer, Ross’s efforts also allowed him to complete his Gold Award. At the end of his DofE journey, he travelled to London for a celebratory event, during which he and other Gold Award recipients were given the opportunity to share their stories. Both the Duke of Edinburgh and the founder of the South African branch of the DofE attended this occasion; in his speech, the Duke praised Ross, stating that he was greatly impressed by all of his hard work. Tunde Folawiyo

It might surprise Tunde Folawiyo, and other supporters of the DofE, that this is just one of many examples in which the DofE has helped to lower crime rates in South Africa; an Award Leader named Sharene has also spoken of how effective the programme has been at helping young offenders to turn their lives around. Having served in a number of capacities within the Department of Correctional Services, she has seen firsthand just how much of an impact the Award has had on teens.

Those who choose to undertake their DofE whilst finishing their sentences at juvenile correctional facilities can get involved in a huge number of activities; depending on their particular interests; they can renovate buildings, take art classes, play a sport or learn an important life skill, such as conflict resolution. Sharene says that the teens who finished their Award in this way seemed to develop a far more optimistic outlook, and were less inclined to return to criminal activities after being released.

by

The growing network of DofE programmes in Africa | Tunde Folawiyo

The D of E has proven to be very popular in Africa; there are now 20 independent award centres, and 21 national operators across the continent. In South Africa, the programme is known as the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, and is run with the help of volunteer leaders. Much like the D of E in the UK, the primary goal of the award here is to offer young people the structure and support they need to develop their unique talents, and boost their self-esteem. Those running the President’s Award place the emphasis on personal development, rather than competitiveness, and encourage participants to focus on fulfilling their own aspirations, rather than worrying about competing with others.

Tunde Folawiyo
In Nigeria – the homeland of Tunde Folawiyo – the D of E is called the Nigerian National Youth Award, and is run by Dr. Jophia Gupar. The Bronze and the Silver awards here are called the Chairman’s and the Governor’s awards, respectively. However, aside from the titles, the programme itself is very similar to the one run in the UK, with four main categories of activities at each level; Adventurous Journey, Physical Recreation, Skills and Services.

It was originally introduced during the seventies by General Yakubu Gowon (the Head of State at that time); however, it wasn’t until 1986 that the programme was officially launched by President Ibrahim Babangida. Eleven years later, Nigeria set up its own independent award centre, with the help of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Tunde Folawiyo, and others who are familiar with the DofE, understand how beneficial this programme can be for young people; the beauty of it, is that it not only gives its participants the chance to thrive, but also encourages them to help others do the same. Take for example, Obinwanne, a Gold award recipient from Nigeria; as part of his Services activities, he decided to use football to reduce the levels of crime in his neighbourhood.

He realised that one of the main reasons so many teenagers were involved in crime was simply because they had nowhere else to direct their energy; that is, they had no goals, ambitions, or hobbies to keep them occupied. After setting up a football club in his local area, the crime rates began to drop dramatically, resulting in a more peaceful and safe environment for the entire community. Moreover, many of those who joined the club have since decided to pursue careers in this sport.

by

Tunde Folawiyo | The Duke of Edinburgh Award Granted Camping Exemption

As one of the world’s most revered proponents of youth development, the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award has continually served the world’s young people as a great source of encouragement. With the outstanding support of its proponents including Tunde Folawiyo, the Duke of Edinburgh Award continues to inspire today’s generation of bright young minds to strive toward greatness in obtaining social and educational skills.

Tunde FolawiyoSince its founding in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has grown exponentially, propelling it into the internationally recognised programme it is today. Recently, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was granted a 5 year Camping Exemption Certificate for England and Wales by Natural England, which will in turn allow D of E groups to utilise the land under less invasive restrictions. Under section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936, the following is permitted:

  • The use of any land owned by the exempted organisation (or provided or used by them) to be used for tented camping without the need for a site licence from the local authority
  • D of E participants (and adults) to put up tents on any site with the permission of the owner
  • D of E participants (and adults) to use land for the purpose of recreation or instruction, and to erect or place tents on the land for those purposes.

With its everlasting focus on promoting excellence within the areas of volunteering, physical fitness, and other unique skills, the DofE requires participants to successfully complete a variety of comprehensive assessments proving a great understanding of the aforementioned areas. Amongst these requirements is an adventurous challenge in which participants set forth on a unique set of goals in order to gain a worldly perspective that will inevitably lead to a profound appreciation and understanding of other cultures throughout the world. The new allowances set forth by section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936 will prove of great benefit to the many students wishing to embark on these journeys. Reaching over 300,000 young people in more than 120 countries throughout the world, the Duke of Edinburgh Award continues to partner with organisations across the globe in a joint dedication to fostering the hopeful participants of the DofE and providing them with the necessary tools to ensure success. Through the continued support of the programme’s proponents, including Tunde Folawiyo, the Duke of Edinburgh Award will continue to foster the development of bright young minds toward the ultimate goal of self-discovery.

by

Tunde Folawiyo | Amey Partners with The Duke of Edinburgh Award

In keeping true to its commitment to guiding today’s youth toward bright futures, the Duke of Edinburgh Award welcomes Amey, one of the UK’s foremost leading public and regulated service providers as a pioneer partner in their Tunde Folawiyoefforts to promote goodwill among young people around the globe. Through the continual support of the many proponents of the charity including Tunde Folawiyo, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and its partnership with Amey will serve as a great source of inspiration for millions of students throughout the world.

The prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award has long inspired today’s brightest students and, as an organisation, continues to implement new initiatives in order to ensure these goals come to fruition. These efforts are none more evident than in the vast number of proud students who have successfully completed the programme since its establishment. The new national agreement brought forth by the organisation’s partnership with Amey will assist in allowing over 165,000 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in the teachings of the D of E across the UK and beyond. This exciting partnership stems from a close 12-year relationship with the D of E in which Amey has provided an immeasurable amount of support for students of the DofE and the charity’s goals as a whole. Through their efforts, over 220 apprentices are currently taking part in the programme with 36 apprentices have completed the Award requirements to date. In addition to their contributions to the D of E, Amey as a company promotes passion for community involvement within their employees, further demonstrating a commitment to the spread of goodwill.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is composed of four mandatory sections including fitness, skill, volunteering and adventurous journey. Participants must prove a great understanding of each in order to merit the prestigious award. Through a host of comprehensive exams and presentations, prospects will demonstrate excellence in a variety of areas to ensure their preparedness in initiating social change. As a not-for-profit organisation, the Duke of Edinburgh Award relies heavily on the continual encouragement and monetary support of various individuals and organisations in order to successfully maintain the operations of the programme. Those interested in contributing to the Duke of Edinburgh Award are encouraged to visit the organisation’s website at https://www.dofe.org/en/content/cms/supportus/.

Through numerous partnerships and the ongoing support of the programme’s proponents such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the world, the Duke of Edinburgh Award will continue to motivate and inspire young students to reach for a better tomorrow for the communities that surround them.

by

Amey establishes new campaign with DofE | Tunde Folawiyo

Just recently, the DofE established a partnership with one of its long-term supporters, Amey. The latter intends to support local communities, by helping at least 165,000 teens from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in the DofE programme.

Tunde FolawiyoAmey is a well-known UK organisation based in Oxfordshire, which offers works with clients in the public sector; it handles services relating to everything from infrastructure and waste disposal, to utilities. This company is committed to investing in its employees, and in particular, it is concerned with helping its younger staff members to reach their full potential.

Being familiar with the DofE, Tunde Folawiyo may know that Amey provides all of its employees, who are under the age of 25, with the opportunity to complete the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of this programme, so that these young people can develop the skills they need to fulfil their professional ambitions. Thirty-six of Amey’s apprentices have already received their Gold Awards, and a further 220 are currently working towards this goal.

The management team at Amey does its utmost to ensure that the process of getting involved in the DofE is as easy as possible for its staff members. They believe that the skills which young people acquire as a result of their participation in this programme – things such as creative thinking, determination, teamwork and communication – can benefit both the participants, and their employers.  Although currently, this company only supports the provision of the DofE programme within the Oxfordshire area, it has announced that it will be expanding this offer to young people living in Birmingham as well.

Most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, are doubtless aware that whilst the DofE Award is available to everyone between the ages of 14 and 25, it can be difficult for those who are living in challenging circumstances to get involved. For instance, teens that have health issues, or are experiencing problems in school or with their families, may be too preoccupied with these other aspects of their lives to even consider joining the DofE. It is hoped that Amey’s new collaborative campaign with the DofE will encourage teens in these types of situations to get involved, and get back on the right track.  The CEO of Amey, Mel Ewell, stated that this initiative will have a very positive impact on the lives, and the future prospects of many teens in the UK; he added that he and his team are particularly glad to be able to offer a helping hand to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

by

Alumni of the DofE – Jay’s story | Tunde Folawiyo

Jay Passmore is a former member of the DofE programme, who received his Gold Award in October of last year. Today, he has his dream job, working within the fostering service in Devon. However, life was not always quite so happy for Jay; he had a tumultuous, difficult childhood. From the age of ten and upwards, he was passed from one foster care home to another, never being given the chance to settle down and have a normal upbringing.

Most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, understand how important it is for young people to have stability in their lives; the absence of this led to Jay becoming very rebellious. However, when he turned 17 and left foster care, he began to look at his life from a different perspective. Unsure of what his next step should be, he chose to start helping other youngsters who were still in the system, by working as a volunteer for a foster child support group. It was whilst in this position that Jay became aware of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Other people in the group had already become involved, and he decided that he should do the same.

Despite feeling somewhat apprehensive about taking on such a monumental task, he ignored his worries and signed up. Jay now says that it was this decision which changed the course of his life. It allowed him to develop important new skills, find friends with similar interests, and perhaps most importantly, it gave him the confidence he needed to apply for his current job.Tunde Folawiyo

Over the course of his time with the DofE, he managed to raise enough money to travel to South Africa for his expedition and residential activities. During these trips, he worked with a Zulu tribe, camped out in a rainforest and learned about the importance of teamwork, as he had to spend a total of three weeks with a group of strangers.

Those who are familiar with the DofE programme, like Tunde Folawiyo, will be aware that the organisation arranges a celebratory awards ceremony for those who have completed their Gold level activities. Jay received his award at St. James’ Palace last year; afterwards, he was publically interviewed by the DofE’s communications manager, who asked him to discuss his experience of the programme,

Jay spoke of his difficult childhood, of how the Award had changed him, and of his goals for the future. After he received his certificate, he and the other recipients were given tours of several of the State Rooms. Speaking to the press at a later date, he described it as one of the best days of his life, adding that all of the hard work he had undertaken during the programme had been worth it.

by

St James’s Palace hosts national DofE Gold Award ceremony | Tunde Folawiyo

Most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, are familiar with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, and understand how significant receiving the Gold Award is. The ceremony is Tunde Folawiyousually held in St James’s Palace, as the DofE committee feel that this grand setting befits the importance of this occasion.

Just this month, hundreds of young people from all over the UK travelled to London, to collect their Gold awards at the palace. They received their certificates from Anthea Turner and Prince Edward, both of whom spent a few minutes speaking to each of the recipients about their experiences. Anthea spoke at length with one girl in particular – Hannah Holden from Milton Keynes. Hannah undertook two expeditions in Wales, during which she walked an average of 20 kilometres a day, whilst carrying all of her supplies – including food rations and a hefty tent – in a rucksack.

The expedition she chose consisting of ‘wild camping’, which involves making do with what you can find around you; for instance, Hannah had to source her drinking water from streams. In addition to her expeditions, she spent time in the Peak district on an adventure and conservation course, and also learned to dance, sing and play the guitar. Having had such a wonderful experience herself, Hannah is now hoping to become a DofE leader, and help other youngsters to complete their own bronze, silver and gold awards.

A significant number of the attendees at the awards event hailed from Lancashire, and had completed their gold activities with the help of the Lancashire County Council. One young man by the name of Ciaran Bassey got involved with the DofE programme after joining the Explorer Scouts Unit. To achieve his Gold, he spent just over a year working as a volunteer leader with the Scouts, and went on a residential trip with a group of his peers.

Four students from Queen’s College in Somerset were also in attendance; these included Hope Pointing, Hannah Clarke, Abi Sanders-Dutton and Richard Venn. The headmaster of their school came to the event to support them, and spoke to the press about their achievements. He stated that he and the rest of the staff were very proud of what the four teens had managed to accomplish, adding that it had taken a great deal of commitment to complete the bronze, silver and gold activities. He finished by saying that the students had clearly benefitted from their time within the DofE programme; not only had they developed friendships and created wonderful memories, but they had also become far more confident in themselves as a result of their expeditions and residential work. This is why people such as Tunde Folawiyo like to support youth development schemes; they help young people, who are at a very important stage in their lives, to develop the skills and the tenacity needed to achieve their goals.

by

How the DofE can assist disadvantaged youths | Tunde Folawiyo

Those who support the DofE, like Tunde Folawiyo, might know that the programme committee encourages all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances, to get involved. For teens that may be Tunde Folawiyogoing through a difficult period in their lives, perhaps as a result of health or family issues for instance, the DofE activities can provide them with a sense of stability, and offer them with something positive to focus their efforts on.

There are countless stories of DofE alumni who have managed to overcome enormous obstacles, complete their bronze, silver and gold activities and go on to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Here, we’ll be discussing two such people – Edward Hampton-Matthews, and Emily Mailes.

Edward was diagnosed with joint hyper-mobility and rheumatoid arthritis at the age of three; doctors told his parents that he would never be able to swim or ride a bike. But just four years later, with physiotherapy and a great deal of determination, Edward began cycling. It was this strength of character and perseverance which would allow him to complete the bronze, silver and gold level activities as a teenager, in spite of his chronic health problems.

He camped in cold, wet conditions, and trekked for many miles, even though these activities were extremely challenging, from a physical perspective. Additionally, he also learned how to sail, gained his first aid and RYA Day Skipper qualifications, and began teaching sailing to other youths at his local club. In 2010, he received his Gold Award, four decades after his own grandfather, Mike Hampton, had done the same. Mike attended the ceremony, and spoke proudly of Edward’s achievements, adding that getting involved in the DofE is a ‘fantastic thing to do’.

Emily experienced a different set of challenges growing up, but like Edward, she successfully overcame them by participating in the DofE. She became a mother at the age of 16, which led to her leaving school without qualifications. Most people nowadays, including Tunde Folawiyo, understand just how much a lack of education can affect a person’s life, particularly when it’s a young parent, who has a child to support.

But Emily was determined to improve her life, and after joining a youth group in her local area, designed specifically for teenage parents, she began to work towards getting her bronze, silver and gold awards. The activities she completed gave her the confidence to return to education, and as she neared the end of her time with the DofE, she took up courses in youth work, media and film-making. Her experience with the DofE was so positive, that she also began to serve as a voluntary expedition leader. Today, she has a job as a youth services co-ordinator.