NHS AAP - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

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NHS Approved Activity Provider

Learn how an NHS organisation can become an AAP and find resources to support you

Approved Activity Providers (AAPs) are organisations that offer opportunities the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) has approved as meeting our sectional conditions and can count towards achieving a DofE Award.

The DofE, in collaboration with the Pears Foundation and #iWill, are supporting NHS organisations to become Volunteering AAPs through a funding offer until March 2027. This project aims to promote, support and expand high-quality, meaningful volunteering opportunities for young people across healthcare.

Learn more about DofE basics, timescales and AAPs.

Events

Two D of E volunteers at King's College hospital wearing orange tshirts standing in front of info posters.

Information webinar

Tuesday 7 July

Attend one of our NHS AAP information webinars to learn more.

A DofE volunteer hands out care packages at Royal Berkshire Hospital,

Peer support network

Tuesday 23 June

Join our peer support network for NHS AAPs.

Information

Benefits

Until March 2027, up to 28 NHS organisations can apply for a fully-funded AAP licence and application fee for their first year. As a Volunteering AAP, you’ll also benefit from:

Branding: Access to the DofE AAP logo as a quality kite mark for your DofE activities.
Visibility: List your activities on the Opportunity Finder to promote them to DofE participants.
High-quality, diverse volunteers: Attract talented and motivated young people who will make a positive impact on NHS services.
Networking: Access to a peer support network and wider AAP networking opportunities to inform good practice.
Support and resources: 1:1 support, press-release templates, training and resources.

Eligibility

This offer is open to NHS organisations and associated charities across the UK who:

are responsible for delivering NHS volunteering.
offer a structured and meaningful volunteering programme that meets the minimum time commitments for at least one DofE Award level.
can safely support volunteers throughout a placement and sign off an Assessor’s report at the end.

Examples of volunteering opportunities

DofE participants need to volunteer from 3 to 18 months depending on their Award level. Here are some examples of NHS volunteering opportunities that would meet DofE requirements:

Bronze Award: A 14-year-old spends 1 hour per week remotely knitting baby hats for newborns on the maternity ward over a 6-month period.
Silver Award: A 15-year-old spends 1 hour per week supporting hospital fundraising activities over a 6-month period.
Silver Award: A 16-year-old spends 2 hours per fortnight as a ward navigator over a 6-month period.
Gold Award: An 18-year-old spends 6 hours per month as a mealtime assistant over a 12-month period.

To see the range of opportunities our NHS AAPs offer, visit our Opportunity Finder.

How to become an AAP

Email [email protected] for more information or to get an application form.
Please allow 6-8 weeks for your application to be reviewed and processed.

NHS AAP resources

Resources:

NHS AAP information pack
Activity log
Assessor’s report
Opportunity Finder
Enrichment Entitlement is a “watershed moment” for young people

Best practice examples:

A nurse laughing among a group of people.

I am now aware of the challenge the NHS faces, so when I am waiting too long for medical attention I understand why. This has also fuelled me to pursue a career in the healthcare sector.

Amy

DofE participant and NHS volunteer

Patients have said that our conversations have made a real difference to their hospital experience – that will always stay with me.

Olivia

DofE participant at King's College Hospital

Over 15 young volunteers have asked for references for medical school after their placements, and at least seven have secured places.

Volunteer Coordinator

Royal Free London

Take me to..

Events

Information

Resources:

Best practice examples:

Opportunity Finder