More young people to have a chance to do their DofE thanks to a South Wales Freemasons donation

DofE Wales were delighted to announce that they have received new and continued support from the South Wales Freemasons, to give more young people the chance to do their DofE.

The generous and significant donation of £6,200 will help DofE Wales deliver its new strategy “Youth Without Limits”, which aims to put the DofE at the heart of the national effort to back young people through the challenging years ahead.

One of the key projects the funding will help support is to increase the DofE as part of our community development, extending opportunities to take part outside of the ‘traditional’ school setting. DofE Wales’s goal is to offer more young people from marginalised backgrounds the chance to do their DofE through centres within their communities.

These new community projects will enable DofE Wales to help many more young people build life-long belief in themselves, support them to take on their own challenges and follow their passions, and enable them to discover talents they never knew they had.

The President of DofE Wales Capt. Sir Norman Lloyd Edwards commented: “I am so delighted that the two organisations with which I have been associated for over fifty years have found common cause. As one brought up in Merthyr Tydfil, I am aware of the need to support those from a disadvantaged background by undergoing a DofE Award to enhance their self confidence and to experience new challenges and opportunities. I trust that this joint exercise will be a forerunner of many others”.

The DofE Wales team in Brecon recently welcomed Masonic representatives from across South Wales and presented them with a certificate of thanks. During the visit, they heard from DofE Youth Ambassadors Amy and Brad, who shared their inspirational story about how doing their DofE had helped shape them.

DofE Wales Director Steph Price highlights “The DofE helps young people to explore who they are, invest in themselves and develop the skills and experience they need to successfully navigate adult life. It is our ambition to grow our reach so that any young person in Wales can access a DofE programme if they want to, and we are extremely grateful for the support received from the South Wales Freemasons which will help us to reach more marginalised young people and extend our reach into disadvantaged communities across South Wales.”

Gerald Rowbottom, head of the South Wales Freemasons, said: “We are honoured and delighted to offer additional local support to the DofE in Wales. The DofE’s work to expand opportunities across Wales will help support hundreds of young people who are facing many challenges – small interventions at a young age can make a significant difference to their future and well-being. This local grant follows a previous donation of £300,000 awarded to the DofE nationally by The United Grand Lodge of England in March 2022. ”

Everyone at DofE Wales were extremely grateful to the South Wales Freemasons for this terrific donation and the support of young people’s development.