Dundee & Angus College Community Engagement Team Shortlisted for DYW Award

We are delighted to announce that our Community Engagement Team at D&A have been shortlisted in the ‘Supporting all Young People, Inclusive and Equality’ category at the 10th anniversary DYW celebration awards.  The work of our Community Engagement Team has been made possible by external funding, primarily from Northwood Trust who share the team's commitment to transforming the lives of young people and families from deprived backgrounds and creating lasting change in our local communities.  

The team are among the other 3 amazing nominees in their category, along with other colleagues from across the Tay Cities Region. 

Celebrating the 10^th anniversary year of the Developing the Young Workforce with a special awards evening on the 30^th of August at the Apex Hotel, City Quay, Dundee, this year's shortlist consists of businesses from across the Tay Cities Region to celebrate their commitment to supporting young people in our region.

Katie Baxter, Learner & Community Engagement Manager said: “we are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award and to have been recognised for the positive impact we are making in the lives of the people in our community.  We are committed to embedding inclusion and equality into our activities and creating pathways for all into college education”

Through pioneering activities and programmes, the Community Engagement Team at Dundee and Angus College are dedicated to embedding inclusion and equality among young people.  Their innovative activities are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing support and meaningful engagements to foster a more inclusive workforce.  Working with young people from hard-to-reach groups and deprived backgrounds the team is constantly looking for innovative ways to connect to our community.

The team has been working with Homestart Dundee, directly engaging with young mums to change their mindsets about education.  Through a series of 12-week programmes, the young mums are engaged in a range of activities such as parenting skills, cooking, and behaviour change workshops.  These workshops include cultural acceptance and hate crime awareness to encourage understanding and inclusivity.

Providing targeted support and creating a nurturing environment, the team have supported more than 80 young mums in the local community to rebuild their confidence as well as break down barriers to create lasting change in the community.  Many of these young mums, from some of the most deprived areas in Dundee have often left school prematurely, have gone on to accept places on full-time College courses or have entered the workforce thanks to this programme.

The model for the partnership, developed from our Find Your Future Programme, showcased in an independent wellbeing economy report has had a significant impact on our community. Through strategic collaborations, the programme has provided a vital platform for more than 400 disengaged young people to redesign their futures, leading to an estimated £6million impact on the local community through improved life chances and social capital.

Another significant initiative is the Community Kitchen Programme, reconnecting low-income parents with education and employability.  The programme funded by the Angus Local Employability Project has aided the Team to engage with more than 24 families from the Angus area back into learning. 

Through hands-on cooking sessions, the families are learning to prepare and cook nutritious, simple, affordable meals for themselves and their families while upskilling in areas such as Barista, REHIS and First Aid in the workplace.  Addressing food poverty and promoting healthy food relationships the programme has facilitated pathways to mindset change through education.

As part of the 12-week programme, employability activities are specifically designed to empower participants to enhance their confidence and develop vital skills for personal and professional development.  Targeted support furthers skill development, providing pathways for individuals into employment or further education.

The project's impact extends beyond traditional learning, addressing the generational mistrust in the education system and aims to break the cycle of worklessness through positive experiences and conversations.  Parents who were once disillusioned with the school system are now engaging in dialogue with their children about the positive experiences they are having at D&A in a journey towards a better and brighter future. 

The Community Engagement Team at Dundee & Angus College has the heart of the community in everything they do. It has significantly impacted the lives of young people and families from deprived backgrounds by providing essential skills, confidence, and employment opportunities.  Through strategic partnerships and targeted support, the team have continued to break down barriers and foster positive change.

Congratulations to our Learner & Community Engagement Team on their outstanding achievements and we wish you the best of luck at the awards ceremony!