Blackpool Sixth former DofE leader receives royal recognition

Alan Lloyd is one of a small group of people worldwide to be congratulated for their outstanding support for young people through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

To mark International Volunteer Day on Sunday 5 December, Alan Lloyd, formerly a vice principal at The Blackpool Sixth Form College received Royal recognition for his exceptional dedication to supporting young people to do their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). 

Alan led the DofE programme at The Blackpool Sixth Form College and before that at Collegiate School, giving very many young people the chance to take on challenges, discover new skills and passions and develop their confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Alan is one of a small group of volunteers to receive a personal letter of commendation from HRH The Earl of Wessex – a DofE Trustee – and a special commemorative coin marking the life and legacy of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the DofE’s patron. The coins have been donated by The Royal Mint.

The 50 coin recipients, including Alan, were selected to reflect some of the different roles, successes and activities on behalf of more than 45,000 people delivering DofE across the UK. Many have given decades to supporting young people, while others have gone above and beyond to make sure young people can continue their DofE despite personal challenges or the effects of the pandemic.   

The lasting impact of Alan’s involvement with the DofE and his leadership of the programme at Blackpool Sixth is summed up by a comment received on Facebook by a former student who completed their DofE award with Alan,

“I am incredibly grateful for the experiences Alan and his wife Ann gave me during my time at Collegiate, both through DofE and well beyond with outdoor pursuits: orienteering, kayaking, hiking, climbing. My interest in all these carried on through university and to this day. So many great memories.”

Alan commented, “I have been involved as a volunteer since starting teaching in 1982 joining Ann, now my wife, in running the award for Year 9 through to Year 13 when the sixth form was part to the then Collegiate School.  After Ann left to raise our family, I ran the award jointly at the College with Andy Gillham for more than 25 years until Andy’s retirement, and since then with a number of other dedicated staff including Steve Scatterson, Ken Baird and Rob Butler.  

I am honoured to receive this recognition but recognise that none of it would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of those mentioned above, others that have helped run the award and the encouragement of senior leaders.  It has been a real team effort.”

The DofE’s CEO Ruth Marvel said: “If young people are the heart of our organisation, volunteers are the lungs, breathing life into our programmes, changing the lives of young people so that they have the confidence and resilience to deal with whatever life might have in store.  

“At a time when so many young people are facing unprecedented challenges, DofE volunteers are instrumental in helping them to regain a sense of purpose, possibility and control over their futures. Thank you to everyone in the DofE volunteer family who has helped support so many young people through the most difficult of times.”