To achieve this we will need to:


- Optimise the reach of each DofE centre increasing the average number of participants. In order to reach this target we will invest in the training and support of DofE Managers and their teams.


- Improve the proportion of participants progressing through the Award levels.


- Optimise staff team performance, delivering maximum value for the fees and donations that fund all staff posts.


- Implement a range of key development initiatives including: - Improved management information for volunteers and staff.


Gold participant from Suffolk, Alex Goodchild, is pictured celebrating the climax of his volunteering project in January. Alex paddled three rivers, over 90 miles and collected a massive 365 discarded plastic bottles as part of a conservation campaign with Surfers Against Sewage.


- Continuous improvement of IT systems and mobile access


- Campaigns highlighting the positive benefits of a DofE Award for employability and wellbeing.


- Build on our positive brand position, refreshing and updating all materials.


- Focused support and resources to engage with at risk and marginalized young people.


Central England strategic objectives


Awards started: In 2017/18 we saw growth of 2% within the Region to 46,010 young people starting a DofE programme. Over the next three years we continue to strive for growth in order to enable 60,000 participants a year to undertake a DofE programme by 2020/21.


A group of young Leaders spent a motivating few days at the 2017


International Gold Event (IGE), in the Czech Republic in October 2017. The event provides leadership training to emerging Leaders within The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award


community. It offers attendees a chance to discuss the issues and challenges


facing young people today and how the Award – which currently runs in over


140 countries and territories around the world, with over 1.3 million participants


– may be able to help. The UK delegates are pictured here with Lord Kirkham


(Chairman of Trustees for the DofE in the UK) and new Trustee, John Amaechi.


8


We continue to support our Licensed Organisations to ensure that every young person has an equal opportunity to access the DofE at all levels. I am really pleased to say that we increased participation in Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards in 2017/18 and this continues to be our focus for the year ahead.


Disadvantaged: According to nationally recognised measures over 21% of our participants are disadvantaged within the Region. We will continue to support centres to engage their disadvantaged students as well as identifying new opportunities for young people to access the DofE outside mainstream education. Young people are facing unprecedented challenges, making the DofE more relevant and important than ever making this is an important objective for us.


The money raised during the Diamond Anniversary is now being used to ensure that any organisation that wishes to expand the Award to those who may be marginalised, vulnerable, or in financially challenging situations can do so.


Awards achieved: Within the Region this year our average completion rate rose from 50% to 53% and over the next year we will be working to achieve at least a 55% completion rate. Improved access to information along with developments in eDofE mean we can support centres to ensure barriers to completion are addressed much more efficiently. The importance of being able to achieve an Award remains a strategic objective across the Region.


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