Find a low-cost Skills activity
Choosing what activities to do for your DofE can be one of the most exciting parts of your DofE journey! However, we know that the cost of taking up a new skill can be a little daunting.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of opportunities that are low-cost or even free, but still give you a high-quality experience. All these opportunities are offered by our Approved Activity Providers.
Free Skills opportunities
Chartered Insurance Institute
Activity: Personal finance skills – understand and be more competent in various areas of personal finance.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: My Personal Finance Skills
Civil Aviation Authority
Activity: A variety of aviation-related online courses including gliding, air traffic control, journeys into space, cyber in aviation and many more.
Level: Bronze, Silver or Gold
Cost: Free
Link: Civil Aviation Authority STEM programme
Daniel-Spargo Mabbs Foundation
Activity: Safer Choices is a self-directed skills development programme brought to you by the DSM Foundation, a drugs education charity.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: DofE Safer Choices programme
HSBC
Activity: Smart Money skills – build financial capability through a series of interactive webinars and practical activities.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: HSBC UK Smart Money Skills webinar registration
St John Ambulance
Activity: First aid skills – this first aid self-teach workbook will give you everything you need to learn lifesaving skills at your own pace.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at St John Ambulance
Teen Tips
Activity: Wellbeing skills – develop ways to look after your own wellbeing and that of others; to develop good listening skills and to create a resource to support the wellbeing of others.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: Wellbeing skills for life
YESS Foundation
Activity: YESS is a free business and life skills programme for 12–22-year-olds. Build confidence and practical skills in goal setting, money, marketing, leadership and communication, while creating your own Vision Board, Business Plan, Marketing Plan and Video Pitch. Skills for your future – whether employment, further education or business ownership.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: YESS Foundation
Young Climate Warriors
Activity: Sustainable living – ‘do-able’ (and fun!) carbon-cutting, sustainable-living challenges, including links to relevant inspiring videos and other web-based materials.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: Free
Link: Climate change skills
Low-cost Skills opportunities
Kissing it Better
Activity: Creative thoughtfulness – learn how simple ideas can make an immediate and lasting difference to the lives of the most vulnerable people in society, particularly older people.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: £20 for Bronze
Link: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Kissing it Better
Listening books
Activity: Audio book reviewing – review audiobooks of your choice (Bronze), and then film or record an audio version of your review (Silver). You’ll demonstrate your analytical and creative skills, as well as enjoy a great book. This activity is for any participants that have an illness, disability, learning difficulty or mental health condition that impacts on reading.
Level: Bronze and Silver
Cost: £25 or free. A membership to Listening Books is £25 per year and includes everything you need to complete your skill. Free memberships are available to anyone who can’t afford the membership fee.
Link: The Duke of Edinburgh Skills Award at Listening Books
Sherwood Young Artists
Activity: Art – develop skills in drawing, painting, collage, photography, craft, and digital art.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: £25
Link: Sherwood Young Artists and DofE
Warhammer (Games Workshop)
Activity: Warhammer game skills – suitable for beginners and existing Warhammer fans, choose the right Warhammer models for your project and what equipment you’ll need to create your own unique achievements.
Level: Bronze, Silver or Gold
Cost: Free, plus equipment
Link: DofE Games Workshop
Young Film Academy
Activity: The One Day Film School is a practical filmmaking course by Young Film Academy, the UK’s leading provider of filmmaking education for 8-18s. Over 13 weeks, you’ll learn about Film History, Fight Choreography, Camera, Scriptwriting & Editing – then make your own short film.
Level: Bronze or Silver
Cost: £29.99
