- The Duke of Edinburgh's Award - What is it?
- The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme was developed to encourage all youth ages 14 to 25 to be active, to participate in new activities and pursue their current interests in four different areas. The Programme offers you the opportunity to set goals and achieve results in a fun and challenging way. The programme is non-competitive. You benefit through your own effort and you will learn and grow from the experience. Upon completion you will be recognized for your achievements with a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. The Award was founded in 1956 by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh K.G. K.T. in London, England. The Award which bears his name currently operates in over 120 countries around the world.
- Who operates the Award?
- Award groups are based in any location where there are young people, such as schools, colleges, universities, youth clubs, youth organizations (Scouts, Guides, Cadets, Boys & Girls Clubs etc.), faith based youth programs, Award centres, young offenders' facilities and businesses. Award Groups are run by adults, many of whom are volunteers, including youth workers, teachers, employers, trainers, instructors, assessors and individuals from the community, all of whom are keen to share their skills, enthusiasm and organizing abilities to help young people reach their potential.
- What does the Award consist of?
It is a four Section Programme with three progressive levels:
- Bronze (for those aged 14 and over)
- Silver (for those aged 15 and over) and
- Gold (for those aged 16 and over)
The Sections involve:
- Service (helping other people in the local community)
- Adventurous Journey (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot, horseback, canoe, cycle etc)
- Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
- Physical Recreation (sport and fitness)
- Residential Project (Gold Award only) (a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant)
- How long does it take to get an Award?
- It takes at least 6 months for a direct entrant to achieve a Bronze Award; 12 months for Silver and 18 months for Gold. Participants can work on various Sections of their Award at the same time.
- What are the benefits of involvement?
The Award is widely recognized by employers and people involved in education. Some of the benefits to young people include:
- developing or discovering a sense of achievement
- new skills and interests
- self-confidence and self-reliance
- leadership skills and abilities
- exciting opportunities; friendship
- experience of teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making
- increased motivation
- enhanced self-esteem
- development of communication skills
- a network of local, national and international connections
- enjoyment
- What is an Award Leader?
The Award Programme cannot operate without adults who act as Leaders, Instructors, Supervisors and Assessors.
An Award Leader is someone who works directly with participants of the Progamme, coordinating, monitoring and advising on their work and progress through the Programme as a whole.
- How much time does it take?
Being an Award Leaser need not take a lot of time if you are organized. Youth Leaders who already meet their group on a regular basis, will find that the Award fits easily alongside their existing programme of activities. The additional time required to operate the Award will in this case not be substantial.
Some Award leaders meet their group weekly or bi-weekly, others offer open sessions when participants can drop-in to ask questions or get help.
- Who can be an Award Leader?
Anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in the welfare and development of young people can be an Award Leader. Please refer to our National Abuse Policy regarding screening processes. We need to ensure volunteers working with young people are people of good character, have the best of interests of young people at heart, and have the necessary skills to undertake their role effectively.
You do not have to have done The Award yourself to be an Award Leader.
- How do I find out more?