I decided to join the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as it was a wonderful opportunity to do something different and to learn lots of new skills. I started initially when I was in senior school. I remember doing lots of things here are just a few. I did First Aid, volunteering at my local Sunday School, swimming, sewing. For my Bronze Expedition, I was with my school friends and I remember going on Cleeve Hill, and to Biblins in the Forest of Dean, For my Silver, I went to Bracelands in the Forest of Dean. For part of my Gold Award, I did a community project called Harambe 2K1 where I got the opportunity to meet people from different countries and learn about their different cultures. For my Gold Award it was completely different as for my practice Exploration I conquered Pen Y Fan and then did my main Open Exploration on Dartmoor with people I had never met before and I am still friends with some of them today.
The confidence doing the award has given me is immense and I feel privileged and honoured that I was given the opportunity to do all of my awards Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
I went to collect my Gold Award at the age of 25. It was such a proud moment. I was also asked to go to a local awards do at Gloucester Cathedral for those people in Gloucestershire who had completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award too.
I would recommend anyone who has the opportunity to do the awards to do it. It will definitely leave you with lots of lasting memories.
I am glad that I did the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and that his legacy will continue for years to come.