A community venture in Livingston is set to deliver the ‘Junior Duke’ awards scheme to its youngest members. The Vennie in Knightsridge has taken on the initiative, originally created by a primary school teacher in Glasgow, which focuses on providing life skills awards to children to help them develop confidence, resilience, and independence.
The Vennie will be collaborating with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme along with senior pupils from Ogilvie School. Although similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Junior Duke offers a separate pathway for children, leading into the main scheme as they grow older. The Junior Duke programme operates in several schools nationwide, and in West Lothian, it will be overseen by the Vennie youth club, led by the newly appointed youth coordinator Jen McCusker.
According to the Junior Duke website, the award is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that every student benefits from the challenges to develop both confidence and competence. The Vennie, which also houses a community food outlet and a youth club, recently celebrated the reopening of its facilities after constructing new kitchen spaces with the help of a donation exceeding £8,000 from the Morrisons Foundation – the largest investment in the club since its establishment 15 years ago.
During the open day to showcase the newly renovated space, young members of the Vennie were already making use of the kitchen, preparing food for visitors. The club’s transformation was described as “amazing,” with trustee Julie Henderson expressing that it was a day filled with good news. The event also highlighted other Vennie projects such as the community garden and football team activities.
The collaboration with Ogilvie School includes teaching life skills in the community garden and supporting students to complete the Duke of Edinburgh awards. New trustee, former Livingston MP Hannah Bardell, joined the Vennie team during the open day, emphasising her commitment to supporting the community through her experience and expertise. Current MP Gregor Poynton, local police, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also attended the event.
In her statement to the local Democracy Reporting Service, Hannah Bardell shared her background growing up in a similar area and her determination to support the community. The involvement of local authorities and community figures in the Vennie’s initiatives highlights the importance of empowering young members and providing them with valuable life skills opportunities for personal growth and development.
Insights and Summary:
The initiative by the Vennie in Livingston to introduce the ‘Junior Duke’ awards scheme demonstrates a proactive approach to nurturing essential life skills in children. By collaborating with schools and community partners, the club is providing a platform for young individuals to build confidence, resilience, and independence. The investment from the Morrisons Foundation signifies the community support for such projects that benefit the youth and contribute to their personal development. The involvement of local leaders and trustees like Hannah Bardell reflects a commitment to empowering the next generation and creating a positive impact within the community. The Vennie’s focus on education, skills development, and community engagement showcases a holistic approach towards youth empowerment and creating a supportive environment for growth and learning.