At the DofE, we support young people to take on their own challenges, follow their passions and discover talents they never knew they had. Whatever their ability, interest or background, DofE can be adapted for them. It’s a trusted way for any young person to turn the things they love into lifelong skills that can help them to get a job, change their community and take on anything life throws their way.
Millions of young people have achieved their Award in the UK, including some well-known faces. Read about their DofE experience and why they support the DofE.
“The challenge for me became trying to do new things rather than those I was already involved in. Beyond school the range of opportunities increased dramatically, as did the need for self-discipline and self-determination to fulfil my Residential and especially my Physical section.”
“I started my DofE while I was at Marlborough College; completing my Bronze before getting my Gold Award while I was in the sixth form. DofE programmes are such a great way for young people to grow in confidence, learn new skills, work as part of a team and have great fun along the way.”
“I credit The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with sparking my passion for the great outdoors and teaching me about teamwork and resilience. Although it might not feel like it at the time, being pushed out of your comfort zone, and put in tricky situations, really does help shape you as a person.”
“I have amazing memories of my DofE while I was at school, like camping, getting lost and laughing. It provided an opportunity to challenge myself, learn new things. Working in the community was great although hard work as a landscape gardener. It is something that I still talk about with my school friends to this day.”
“My stickability and durability came from my own DofE Award and in achieving your Gold DofE. It says a lot about you as a person – that you know how to tackle difficult situations, you’re confident and you will shine compared to those that don’t have the same experience you have.”
“I’ve completed my Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and I can honestly say it shaped me to become the person I was always meant to be. Doing my DofE taught me about commitment, resilience and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. For that, I’m so grateful I stuck it out in the thunderstorms and the pouring rain!”
“Doing my DofE in school remains one of the most memorable experiences of my teenage years. What made the experience so special was the team spirit we developed along the way. Completing the Award felt like more than ticking off requirements – I became part of a group that had truly worked together and supported each other.”
“Looking back on my DofE experience, I think my most memorable moment was finishing it. Not because it was done, but because I’d persevered. All the key skills I learned through the DofE have been invaluable for me, probably more so than I realised at the time, in my sporting career and particularly now in life outside of sport.”
“I had always wanted to do everything for myself, but one of my biggest takeaways of the Award was that it’s ok to ask for help. It also encouraged me to try out different sports using my wheelchair. Later that year I found wheelchair racing, and the rest is history. Without the Award, I potentially wouldn’t have been at the stage in my career that I’m at now. I developed confidence, the ability to work in a team and to communicate with people from all walks of life.”
“During my Bronze expedition, while my friends were sensibly rationing freeze-dried meals and cooking their instant noodles, I decided to take a rather unusual item for my evening meal: a fillet steak. I had diligently packaged it, seasoned it and pan-fried it in butter – delicious. In my mind, a fillet steak seemed like the perfect outdoor meal – portable, practical and protein-rich! Looking back, it’s clear that, even then, my foodie tendencies, no doubt encouraged by teenage greediness, were leading me towards a career centred around food.”
