Creating space - profile of David Clay
I met David at the Foundation Degree Experience Day at Sussex Downs College, in April. He was there to talk about the Community Development Foundation Degree he's just completed at the University of Sussex. When we met he had one more assignment to go, and was really looking forward to being able to “go and lie down for a couple of weeks!”
David says he has found his degree rewarding and interesting. He's been able to combine work and study so that they benefit each other. He works for Newhaven Community Development Association now, and feels he got this opportunity as a direct consequence of taking this degree.
NCDA is a voluntary organisation working to support the involvement of the whole community in the regeneration of Newhaven, through employment and education. It works with community groups and outside agencies to increase opportunities for local people. It is run by a board of members who represent over 90 organisations and community groups in the town.
Prior to his current job, David worked as Parks Manager. He became interested in encouraging more community use of parks. His role now includes developing a number of wild open spaces in and around Newhaven for the benefit of the community. He says “open spaces can have a positive impact on people’s lives. It’s not simply about having the spaces it’s encouraging their use as well.” He's looking at how the built environment contributes to people’s lives too, and the possibility of developing more small pockets of open space within it.
David says his degree with its mix of academic and vocational learning has allowed him to combine theory with practice in the workplace. Although at times, he's found it tiring balancing the different demands of a 37 hour working week, studying, travelling, and a home and social life. His employers have been supportive but the nature of his job and constant funding pressures have sometimes meant that taking time out for study has been difficult.
Not all David’s colleagues on the degree have been employed in the voluntary sector. Part of this is to do with the variable funding situation, meaning that jobs are often on a fixed term basis. Opportunities for practice have been reduced; but, David says, the values and learning are transferable from one situation to another so they will always be useful.
David feels it has all been worth it, as having his foundation degree allows him to expand his employment opportunities and possibilities for career development. He may even go on to top it up with a one year BA at some time in the future.
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