Well done to all the students who’ve been volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, despite all the difficulties presented by Covid-19.

The College has received notification from Ruth Marvel, CEO of the D of E Award Scheme, that Reigate College students have clocked up a staggering 1,190 hours of volunteering between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, with an estimated social value of £5,323.50.

Laura Regan who’s responsible for running the D of E Gold Award Scheme at the College explained, “48 uppers and 85 lowers have been working towards the award this year, with each of them required to complete either 12 or 18 months of volunteering, as part of the volunteering section of the award.”

“Lots of students continued with their volunteering during lockdown. For example, some students took part in online volunteering for ‘Missing Maps’ an organisation that helps to map remote areas of the world, for use in disaster relief, and others helped elderly neighbours or people who were isolating with their weekly supermarket shops.”

“When restrictions eased, students got back to some of the more usual volunteering activities, such as coaching children’s sports teams, helping at local girl guiding and scout groups, working in urban conservation, assisting at charity shops, tutoring younger children and helping in care homes.”

“I look forward to seeing all our brilliant volunteers go on to complete the award.”

Find out more about the Duke of  Edinburgh’s Award at Reigate College.