HRH The Countess of Wessex pledged her full support for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at a charity event this week at Bonham’s Auction House, London. The Countess of Wessex told an audience of senior and influential women in business that the leading youth charity had never been more relevant than now.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances”, Her Royal Highness said. “We hear about the number of young people out of work, education or training on a daily basis and I believe the DofE has never been more relevant. We know that employers look for the DofE on young people’s CVs, it could help them get that essential first job.”
The DofE’s Women in Business group is made up of senior figures from a wide range of industries and sectors in support of the Charity. Many of those attending the event had first-hand experience of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through their own children’s participation. The event was sponsored by investment management company, Williams de Broe. It took place at Bonham’s Auction House and included a preview of a Bonham’s jewellery auction held on 30 November.
DofE Leader Louisa Guthrie told the gathering how she got involved with the DofE while growing up on a council estate in west London. She explained that the DofE had made such a huge impact on her that she decided to become a youth worker, giving more young people the chance to do it. Louisa is currently leading the UK’s first group of young mums through their Gold DofE Award.
Louisa said, “Five years ago, I had a vision. I wanted to give teenage mums the chance to do their DofE. It was going to be a challenge, but it would give them the chance to get back on their feet, gain skills and eventually get into work. We started with the Bronze, taking their babies on expedition. Now they are doing their Gold, the babies are children, and the mums are all working, in education or training.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is for all young people (14-24) and more than 280,000 participants do their DofE every year. It is highly valued by employers, and participants and leaders alike believe the DofE develops the skills, confidence and commitment needed to get into work.
Hosting the event, Jacqui Larcombe, Director of Fundraising at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said, “It’s a tough time to be a young person right now and we want to double the number doing their DofE in the next five years. The DofE can transform lives, and we have the greatest impact on those that start with the least, which is why we want to treble the number of disadvantaged young people doing their DofE. We are delighted that HRH The Countess of Wessex continues to give her full support to our Charity.”