Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants from Liverpool welcome Mayor Rotheram, Ian Byrne MP, Paula Barker MP and former England Internationals Dowie and Kirkland

Young people from Liverpool Football Club Foundation (LFC Foundation) today welcomed local leaders from across Liverpool and shared powerful stories about how The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is helping them build confidence, learn skills and make a real difference to local communities in Liverpool through volunteering.

Image: John Powell

DofE participants who met with Mayor Rotheram, Ian Byrne MP and Paula Barker MP told them about their contributions to the local community through the Volunteering section of their Award. They also shared stories from their DofE Physical section, including cross country running and playing football.

Former Liverpool players Chris Kirkland, a community ambassador for Liverpool Football Club Foundation, and Natasha Dowie, an LFC Women’s Ambassador, were also in attendance to see young people demonstrate their DofE skills. After demonstrating their map reading abilities to the guests, ahead of their Bronze expedition this summer, the young people were then presented with certificates to mark the completion of their DofE sections by Mayor Rotheram.

A new DofE cohort also attended and shared what they are looking forward to most about doing their DofE. The group then had a tour of Anfield Stadium where they learnt about the history of the iconic venue, accessing must-see areas including the Player’s Tunnel, Managerial Dugout and the Home Team Dressing Room.

Mayor Rotheram said: “Spending time with these young people at Anfield was a reminder of just how much talent and determination there is right across our city region. Through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, they’re stepping up, giving something back to their communities and pushing themselves to try things they might never have thought possible.

“What Liverpool FC Foundation are doing here is opening doors for young people who too often face barriers, and giving them the confidence and skills they’ll carry with them for life. I couldn’t be prouder to recognise their hard work today.”

Liverpool FC Foundation has been a DofE Licensed organisation for over two years, and in that time – thanks to generous support from The Julia Rausing Trust – has supported seven young people to start their DofE. Participants from the foundation have collectively contributed over 100 volunteering hours to their local community.

Matthew Swallow, 18, who is doing his Bronze DofE at Liverpool FC Foundation said: “Taking part in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me grow in confidence, and showed me what I’m truly capable of.”

Ian Byrne MP said: “It was a pleasure to see DofE in action at Anfield Stadium with the Liverpool FC Foundation today. It was brilliant to meet current participants and young people about to start their DofE journey, and see first-hand how the DofE programme transforms young people’s lives through the power of sport, outdoor learning and community engagement – helping them to build confidence and unlock new opportunities. At 70 years strong, The DofE continues to impact young people’s lives in meaningful and lasting ways, and it’s fantastic to see that work happening here in our community.”

Gemma Smith, Head of Programmes at Liverpool Football Club Foundation, said: “LFC Foundation are delighted to play our part in providing opportunities for young people in Liverpool through the DofE scheme in its 70th year.

“Working closely with former LFC player and LFC Foundation’s community ambassador Chris Kirkland, we love being able to give participants the opportunity to build their skills, improve their physical fitness and empower them with a number of life skills through the programme.”

To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose activities in four sections: improving a Physical and Skills activity, Volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding Expedition. Along the way they have fun, grow in resilience and self-belief, discover new talents and passions, and learn practical skills to help them in future – while working towards a highly respected Award.