Contact us
For any media enquiries (Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00), contact Irene Oliver:
E: irene.oliver@DofE.org T: 01753 727400
For emergency calls reporting incidents that directly affect the health & welfare of young people please call 01753 727400 where you will be given a Duty Officer number.
The DofE runs an out of hours media service. The current media officer on duty is Dave Wood (07815 886456). This is strictly for extremely urgent calls from members of the media only.
Our press office
The DofE's press office deals with journalist enquiries, arranges interviews, issues press releases, provides editorial material and monitors media output.
As the world's leading achievement award for young people, our work involves regular distribution of news and information that supports our mission to inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development and recognise their achievements.
We are able to field a large number of experts for comment on current news stories, topical youth issues and information about the DofE and our programmes.
If you would like further information please contact us on the numbers or email above.
Information for editors and journalists
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who remains the Patron. HRH The Earl of Wessex is a Trustee.
- Over 275,000 young people were taking part in DofE programmes in the UK, supported by over 400 partner organisations and around 45,000 adult volunteers from all walks of life.
- Last year over 208,000 young people started a DofE programme, an increase of 13% from last year.
- 81,320 achieved a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, an increase of 6% from last year: Bronze: 53,752, Silver: 19,556, Gold: 8,012.
- In total, over 4.4 million people have participated in DofE programmes and achieved over 2 million Awards in the UK alone since 1956.
- Through the volunteering part of their programme, young people give their free time to society with a value of over £21 million per year.
- A survey, commissioned by the United Learning Trust, with major employers, found that a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is valued more than work experience when selecting employees.
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a Registered Charity No 1072490 and in Scotland No SC038254 and a Royal Charter Corporation RC000806.
- The DofE is run in over 130 countries worldwide, highlighting how the DofE can truly transcend boundaries of race, language, ethnicity and culture. There are over 850,000 participants worldwide. Visit the International Award Association website.
For more information about the DofE, visit our About us pages.