From participant to DofE Leader: How Anais’ experience shapes her leadership

While completing her Gold Award at her local Open Centre in the New Forest, Anais began helping out as a Young Leader. She didn’t stop there, and signed up to become a DofE Leader fresh out of completing her training. Her DofE journey has taken her from participant to Youth Ambassador, Young Leader and now Leader.

1. Tell us about your role

I volunteer at the same Open Centre in the New Forest where I completed my DofE. It’s a really unique and special place to be involved in because, as an Open Centre, we often attract young people whose schools or youth groups don’t offer DofE. This makes the work feel even more meaningful, as we’re helping make DofE accessible and available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

I work alongside a small team of five other volunteers. I support participants throughout their DofE journey: helping them with their eDofE, preparing for expeditions, supporting training sessions, and being there on expedition. I’ve supported one expedition so far as a Leader, and I absolutely loved it.

The time commitment varies depending on the time of year. Expedition season is obviously busier, and there are training sessions and admin responsibilities alongside that. Our in-person sessions run one weekend a month, as we’ve found this to be the best format to allow for participants who travel further to be able to commit. This role is something I balance alongside college and other commitments, which can make life a bit busy at times, but I wouldn’t change it!

2. How did you prepare for your role as a DofE Leader?

The preparation process was probably one of the biggest hurdles. It involved a lot of admin, and I can’t say admin is my biggest passion in life, but it was all part of the process and worth it!

There were definitely moments of confusion, but having the team at the Open Centre around me to help and troubleshoot made a big difference.

Beyond formal training and safeguarding, I think the biggest preparation was my lived experience as a participant and Award holder. I understand the structure of the DofE, the pressures participants can feel, and the excitement too. I’m also hoping to train as an Assessor in the future to broaden my contribution further.

The biggest thing my year as a UK Youth Ambassador gave me was confidence. I wasn’t unconfident before, but the growth I experienced as a Youth Ambassador was huge. Public speaking at events, representing young people’s voices, and running sessions pushed me far outside my comfort zone. That confidence now directly translates into leading sessions, supporting participants, and stepping up during expeditions.

I learned that growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. That’s something I saw in myself as an Ambassador, and now I see it in participants. Whether it’s helping a shy young person build confidence through one-to-one map reading support and they end up being one of the most confident navigators on the team, or troubleshooting their eDofE to reduce stress, those small moments matter.

I also gained practical skills like teamwork, leadership, communication and mental health first aid training, which strengthened my empathy and awareness of inclusivity. That’s particularly important at our Open Centre, where we support many young people with specific learning support needs.

Being an Ambassador also fuelled my passion — not just for DofE, but for accessibility, the outdoors, and ensuring young people feel heard and supported. That mindset shapes how I approach being a Leader.

3. Why did you become a DofE Leader?

When I was completing my Gold Award, I realised I didn’t want my DofE journey to end. The DofE has given me so much; confidence, resilience, opportunities, friendships, and experiences I never would have had otherwise. My Leaders were a huge part of that. They believed in me, supported me, and pushed me in the right ways.

I want to be that person for someone else.

My time as a Youth Ambassador only strengthened that feeling. Championing the Award across the UK (and even recently in Ireland, where I helped run a forum) reminded me how powerful DofE is. It deepened my passion for helping young people and for the DofE itself. Stepping into a Leader role felt like the most natural way to continue that impact.

4. What’s your favourite part of being a DofE Leader?

Without a doubt, expedition season!

I’ve supported two expeditions so far, and they were so rewarding. Being the person participants know has their back if something goes wrong, while also stepping back enough to let them grow, is such a privilege. Watching them come together as a team and develop as individuals is amazing.

At our Open Centre, we support many young people with additional learning needs. Seeing someone complete an expedition with a smile on their face, when they or their families never thought it would be possible, is honestly an incredible moment to witness and to have been even a small part of.

I also love the smaller, everyday moments such as helping participants navigate eDofE, building balanced teams, watching confidence grow, and forming genuine connections. Because I’m fresh out of doing my DofE, I can clearly remember what they’re going through. That relatability helps build trust quickly.

5. What advice would you give to a new DofE Leader?

If you genuinely care about the DofE and about young people, that will always shine through. And if you don’t know something, that’s completely okay. There is always a team around you who want you to succeed. Lean on them, ask questions, listen, and support each other.

Most importantly, enjoy it! It’s an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life, and to grow alongside the young people you’re supporting.

You don’t need to be the most experienced person in the room — your passion is what will stand out.

The DofE Manager’s Toolkit explains what’s expected of delivery teams, and the key responsibilities involved in managing a safe and rewarding experience for young people.