Emily was 16 when she fell pregnant and after leaving school with very few qualifications she decided to join a local youth group for teenage mums in North Kensington. Whilst there she began working towards her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
She loved going on the expeditions, particularly as she was able to take her son Luke along too. She became more confident and relaxed in the outdoors and was happy to allow her son some freedom too. Her positive experience led to her working as an Expedition Leader for other groups of young people.
Whilst doing her DofE, Emily also re-engaged with education and obtained film-making, editing, media and youth work qualifications. She became a paid youth worker at the young mothers group where she supported other young mothers doing their DofE programmes.
Emily was part of the first young mums group to take their children on expedition with them. She has achieved her Bronze and Silver Awards and is now working towards her Gold.
She is now employed as a youth services co-ordinator for Living Well and teaches sex education to young people all across London whilst studying for a degree in youth work. She is determined to provide a secure background for her son Luke, now 6.
“If it weren’t for the DofE, I’d be sat in my flat living on benefits. It showed me that if I worked at something, I could achieve it. It gave me back my aspirations and the confidence to achieve them.”
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