"My DofE is the only thing I like at school. All the rest is a waste of time really...I really liked the stuff with the fire brigade."
Lauren, 15 and doing her Silver DofE
She was formerly the subject of numerous interventions for violent behaviour.
"The DofE was a massive turning point in my life! I realised that my actions had consequences, however there was always a solution to help deal with any issues that arise in life."
Andrew, Gold Award holder
He is now 34, a school governor and Scout Leader.
"When I heard that the existence of the DofE was threatened by spending cuts I felt I must protest in the strongest possible terms. The DofE gives children - irrespective of academic ability - an opportunity to achieve something that is recognised and valued by the whole of society."
Parent and volunteer Michael White
"I work in a small Further Education Centre that is part of the College of West Anglia. Our centre specialises in working with students who have complex needs on account of learning difficulties and other associated social and emotional difficulties or mental health problems. Our students are particularly vulnerable because they appear more able than they are. All our students enrol to do their DofE and it has a significant impact on their lives and prospects."
Jenny Haycocks, teacher and DofE leader.
“For me the DofE is a socially enabling, rounded, people programme. It’s a social intervention programme par excellence. It knows no boundaries and in recognisees no prejudice. If you think it is going to expensive, try not doing it.”
Dr Maggie Atkinson, Children’s Commissioner for England