The project focuses on providing the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) to young people in Spelthorne. The focus on these young people in high need communities provides them with tools to divert from anti-social behaviour. Phoenix is the only 14-plus provision in Spelthorne that allows young people to just pop in. Their continued success relies on the investment in peer leaders. This investment is centred around the DofE Award and four key areas; Social integration rather than social isolation; Resilience rather than vulnerability; Horizon broadening rather than limited ambition; and Working as a team rather than in isolation.

The Phoenix Project kept going during the first lockdown period through closed social media contact and in August formed into ‘bubbles’ of ten to continue with their DofE programme focusing on the Service side of the award, with work parties helping out on allotments and undertaking ‘litter picking’. The excitement of meeting face to face was palpable!

The HSYA funded the DofE licence for this period and it has proved vital for these young people, who will now be catching up on their expedition skills.

The Phoenix Project

Awarded 2020-2021