Members of '˜inspirational' Horsham group achieve awards

The 20 award recipients were presented with their certificates at a special ceremony earlier this month at The Horsham Youth Hub, in Hurst Road.

All of the young people are members of M8’s - a Horsham-based group for young people with learning difficulties or additional needs.

To achieve their award they each completed different sections of the DofE programme which include volunteering, physical, skills and expedition.

One of the award winners, Andy Fuller, 21, from Southwater, has just completed a supported internship at Brinsbury College and believes DofE has helped him gain part time work as a tree surgeon.

Andy said: “I’ve met different people and built friendships through the award plus different skills for the future, like communication and team work.”

The option of taking part in the DofE scheme is just one of the activities on offer at M8’s.

The group meets weekly to socialise and take part in cooking, arts and crafts, computer games, and sports.

The DoE award is an opportunity for members to gain a national accreditation, recognised within higher education and by employers.

The group focused on employment and life skills, including digital lifestyle, problem solving, and current affairs.

Award recipient Jennie, 16, from Southwater, said: “I completed Bronze at school but DofE at M8s is more relaxed as you’re with friends in a youth centre. I’ve met lots of new friendly people here.”

Jennie’s carer Andrew Barker has also noticed an increase in her confidence. He said: “She’s more independent and goes out on her own now.”

Supported by the Young People’s Service, there are 58 centres in West Sussex which are delivering DofE to 9,271 participants. These are from schools, colleges, special schools, Open Award Centres and independent organisations.

DoE is open to all young people in West Sussex aged 13 to 25.

Patrick Burgess, deputy lieutenant and chairman of the West Sussex DoE County Committee, who presented the awards, said: “The momentum here is incredible. We are all uplifted by the energy. They are all amazing as individuals and together as a group.”

Stephen Hillier, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for children – start of life, said: “Taking part in the DofE scheme takes a lot of dedication and determination as the challenges push young people to develop new skills.

“These 20 young people are quite inspirational as they have had to overcome more than most.

“Team work, co-operation, awareness of others and self-awareness have all played an important role in their achievement and I look forward to hearing from them in the future as DofE gives them the push to do bigger and more challenging things.”

To find out more about taking part in West Sussex, email [email protected], or contact a school, college, youth group or one of the five open centres in the county.

Photo caption: Back row - Jasmine Heathcote, Chicane Abdelkrim, Patrick Burgess, Andy Fuller, Alex Fuller, David Williams; Middle/Front Row - Sarah Bush, Rhys Harding.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.