The popularity of the DofE continues to grow. Participation in DofE programmes and the number of Awards achieved has grown every year since 1956. Today over 280,000 young people take part in DofE programmes in groups which are run in 10,533 DofE centres throughout the UK.
Centres range from youth clubs and schools to voluntary organisation meeting places, businesses and Young Offenders Institutions. Every DofE centre is authorised by a licensed DofE Operating Authority which can be local authorities, schools, voluntary organisations etc.
Current statistics (12 months 2010/11)
| Participants |
275,000 approx. |
| New starters |
208,466 |
| Awards achieved |
81,320 |
| Bronze |
53,752 |
| Silver |
19,556 |
| Gold |
8,012 |
Social value of young
people’s volunteering
activities |
Over £21 million |
| Operating Authorities |
400 |
| DofE centres |
10,533 |
| Leaders/volunteers |
Around 45,000 |
| Social value of volunteers' activities |
Over £15 million |
Awards achieved since 1956
(in the UK) |
2,053,089 |
| Bronze |
1,325,557 |
| Silver |
512,196 |
| Gold |
215,034 |
| Current number of participants globally |
850,000 |
| Number of countries running DofE programmes |
136 |
| Participants since 1956 globally |
Over 7 million |
| Current number of volunteers globally |
over 190,000 |