Every year, DofE inspires hundreds of thousands of young people, from all walks of life, to explore who they are, grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to successfully navigate life. We help them build lifelong belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had. The DofE is delivered in schools, colleges, community organisations, hospitals, prisons and more, all over the UK and internationally.

DofE is open to any young person aged 14-24. Participants build their own programme, choosing activities and a cause to volunteer for. The DofE is structured into three levels of Award which increase in challenge and duration: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The main differences between the Award levels are the minimum length of time it takes to complete the programme, how challenging it is, and the minimum age you can start. There are four main sections of a DofE programme: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. At Gold, participants will also complete a Residential section.

In 2023-24, 330,984 young people started their DofE, giving 4.7 million hours of volunteering to their communities. The DofE charity has increased our target to give 1.6 million young people the chance to participate in a life-changing DofE programme by 2026.

Three young people wearing yellow hoodies are standing in front of the iconic black door of 10 Downing Street. One of them is taking a selfie with a smartphone, while another is holding a document with the heading
Our advocacy work

As a leading UK youth charity, we work to influence debates and decisions that affect young people’s life chances and wellbeing.

A group of five young people is standing outside, engaged in conversation and laughing. The central figure is a young man with curly hair wearing a black Adidas t-shirt. They all appear to be enjoying each other's company, with a backdrop of houses and trees under an overcast sky. The atmosphere is casual and friendly.
Youth Voices 2024

We spoke to more than 3,000 young people from across the UK for Youth Voices 2024 – giving them a platform to share their hopes, worries and priorities for the future.

Three young people standing outside engaged in conversation and laughing. The central figure is a girl wearing a green jumper and carrying textbooks. The backdrop shows a school building with an open window.
Access Without Limits Funding

Our Access Without Limits funding programme aims to ensure that the DofE is for all young people and reflects the most diverse generation of young people ever.

Four individuals in school uniforms, photographed from behind, are standing closely together outdoors. One person's hair is braided with light blue extensions. They appear to be in a grassy area.
Keeping young people safe

Each year, hundreds of thousands of young people do their DofE programme. Keeping them safe is our first priority and everyone’s responsibility.

Five men walk towards a secured gate with barbed wire fencing, carrying bags and equipment under a cloudy sky.
Running DofE in prisons and young offender institutions

Doing their DofE in prison gives young people a chance to turn their lives around on release – helping them discover new talents, providing focus, motivation and responsibility.

A group of three people sat outside on a wall. They are smiling and laughing at each other and in the background is a church and green trees.
This is Youth 2024

This is Youth 2024 recognises and celebrates the amazing stories behind the DofE. It showcases young people and the adults who support them doing what they do best.

A young person holding a skateboarding. She is wearing a yellow cardigan and is outside standing in front of a circular sculpture.
The Latest

Find out what’s happening at the DofE: media releases, informative blogs, inspirational stories and more.

Navigating Now
Navigating Now is back! A podcast designed to help young people find answers to the big questions about life, politics, and global issues.
A young woman with braided hair wearing a black crop top and patterned trousers poses confidently in a skate park. The background features ramps, graffiti, and green trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Media

We have a range of inspiring young spokespeople who can share their experience of how, through their DofE, they have overcome huge challenges, discovered new skills and passions, built life-long confidence and resilience, and achieved things they never thought they could.

Opportunity Finder

This link opens an external site. All content is not affiliated with DofE. Please click proceed if you understand these risks.