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Duke of Edinburgh Awards

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The Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme Mission

OUR AIM:-
One day any young person aged between 14 & 25 who wants to do the Award will be able to do so…

OUR VISION:-
For the Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award to be universally recognised and widely adopted as the best programme for the personal development of young people

OUR MISSION:-
The Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award is committed to providing for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

OUR GOAL:-
Is to strengthen the Award by continuing to broaden and extend its reach to the many communities that comprise contemporary United Kingdom

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a registered Charity and relies on the generous support of volunteers, Operating Authorities and businesses to meet its commitment to help all young people realise their full potential.

The Ten Key Principles of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award:

  • Non- Competitive – The Award Is a personal challenge, not a competition against others
  • Available to All – With a commitment to Equal Opportunities, the Award is available to all who want to take part
  • Voluntary – Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time
  • Flexible – Young people design their own programme and can enter the Award at whichever level best suits them, and may take as long as they wish to complete
  • Balanced – By choosing activities in each of the areas, participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme
  • Progressive – At each level, the Award programme demands more time and commitment levels
  • Achievement Focused – Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals, when they show improvement, they will achieve their Award
  • Marathon, not a sprint – The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm
  • Personal Development – The Award is a programme of personal & Social development, The value to young people is dependant on personal commitment
  • Enjoyable – Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying

What are the Benefits?

Develop: Self confidence, trust, the ability to lead and work as part of a team, self belief, the ability to learn from and give to others in the community, new talents, skills including problem solving, presentation and communication.

Above all, to HAVE FUN and MAKE NEW FRIENDS!

Achieving an Award is also highly recognised by COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES and EMPLOYERS.

Levels and Sections

There are 3 separate Awards – Bronze, Silver and Gold, with different minimum starting ages and periods of participation.

At each level there are four sections (plus a Residential section at Gold level)

Award Presentation

Once a Young Person has completed a Bronze or Silver Award, he or she will be presented with a badge and certificate.  The presentation is usually held in school or at a local presentation evening. 

Those Young People completing the Gold Award will be invited to a Royal Palace where they will be presented with their certificate in the presence of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh.

For more information: Contact Judy Bowerbank, Award Scheme Development Officer, Youth Service, Darlington 
Tel. 01325 362957
e-mail judy.bowerbank@darlington.gov.uk

Further advice and information can be found on The Duke of Edinburgh Award Website