The Duke of Edinburgh ‘puts down roots’ in the North East as His Royal Highness recognises achievements of young DofE participants
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh joined young people in County Durham today, to celebrate their personal achievements through their DofE – and to commemorate the charity’s 70th anniversary by planting its newly cultivated rose.
In His Royal Highness’s role as DofE charity patron, The Duke visited Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) Hub, in Barnard Castle – a centre that offers DofE to young people who can’t access the Award through school or college – where DofE participants from across the North East came together to demonstrate activities from their Physical, Skills, Volunteering and Expedition sections.
The visit got off to an energetic start with DofE participants from Darlington Young People’s Engagement and Justice Service demonstrating their fitness skills in TCR Hub’s open-air gym – and later, navigating the centre’s high ropes, showing great teamwork and risk management skills. The Duke also saw a canoeing demonstration from TCR Hub’s own DofE participants.
Whilst in the TCR Hub grounds, The Duke helped participants from The Oaks Secondary School – an additional needs school in County Durham – plant the DofE charity’s new 70th anniversary ‘Youth Without Limits’ rose. The students spoke to The Duke about doing horticulture for their DofE Volunteering and Skills sections and they were delighted that by planting the DofE rose, The Duke officially ‘put down roots’ in County Durham.
In response to planting the DofE charity’s ‘Youth Without Limits’ rose with The Duke, Jack Mason, 16, who is doing his Silver DofE at The Oaks Secondary School, in Durham, said: “WOW!, I am very excited to have the opportunity to do this!
Talking about his DofE and how it will support his future, Jack continued: “DofE has helped me with my confidence in my abilities rather than focussing on what I find hard. It has helped me see that I can achieve things. I think I will be able to talk to people more confidently, stand tall and feel proud of what I achieved through doing my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I will talk about the Award and hope it helps me in gain more opportunities such as work.”
Today’s visit also provided an opportunity for The Duke to meet four young people alongside their DofE Manager, Dave Kirton, who through their Bronze and Silver DofE at Darlington Young People’s Engagement and Justice Service, spoke about how DofE helped them form stronger connections with the community and make positive life choices.
Summer, 15, came into contact with the Darlington Youth Engagement & Justice Service as a victim of an assault, with low self-confidence and wellbeing. She started her Bronze DofE with an equestrian focus in 2025 and has returned this year to achieve her Silver, acting as a mentor for a Bronze group and with a focus on joining the armed forces.
Summer said: “Taking part in my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was an amazing experience that really pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so much. I loved the challenge of the expedition, navigating through the countryside and camping with people who I made great friendships with; it really built my confidence. Now, I’m super excited to be working on my Silver Award. I’m looking forward to developing new skills, getting me ready for my army career and having even more adventures, building on everything I learned from Bronze.”
Later, The Duke joined young people from St Roberts of Newminster Catholic School & Sixth Form College for a bushcraft demonstration, showcasing their outdoor and survival skills in preparation for the DofE expedition.
Jackie Bull, Director of UK Operations at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Over the last five years, more than 38,500 young people started a DofE Award in the North East, giving over 510,400 volunteering hours, worth more than £3m. It has been incredible to see some of those young people here today, demonstrating the vital skills they’ve developed through their Awards and being recognised for their achievements personally by The Duke of Edinburgh.”
Today’s visit shows the many ways and places for young people to experience a life-changing DofE programme – strengthening young people’s connection to their community and developing essential skills that set them up for work and life.
Over 7,200 young people started their DofE in the North East between April 2025 and March 2026. In the same period, DofE participants gave more than 118,500 hours of volunteering in their communities, valued at over £896,500.
To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose activities in four sections: improving a Physical and Skills activity, Volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding Expedition. Along the way they grow in resilience and self-belief, discover new talents and passions, and develop human skills for life and work.
Acknowledging past and present Award holders
The Duke concluded the visit to the TCR Hub by presenting DofE pin badges to students from Hedleys College, an additional needs college in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne which introduced DofE thanks to a grant from the charity. To ‘give back’, students raised nearly £2,000 by climbing Ben Nevis – which also served as their DofE Expedition – and from taking part in DofE’s 120-mile virtual challenge. The money raised will help less advantaged young people access a life-changing DofE experience of their own.
Judy Bowerbank, a DofE Manager of 50 years, was also recognised for her dedication to youth development, first as a participant and later as a leader supporting generations of young people to do their DofE.
Judy, who achieved her own Gold Award in 1974, is currently a DofE Manager at Hummersknott Academy, where she has been supporting young people to do their DofE since 2012. Her commitment to the Award has inspired her family, who are all from Darlington, with her children and grandchildren following in her footsteps. Judy’s two sons Neil, 48 and Andrew, 44, are both Gold Award holders, her granddaughter Emily, 16, is currently working towards her Gold and Judy’s grandson Ethan, 15, and granddaughter Isla, 13, are doing their Bronze Awards. Neil, Andrew, Emily and Isla all attended today’s event alongside Judy.
Judy, from Darlington, who is now celebrating her 70th birthday and 50 years as a DofE Leader, all during the DofE charity’s 70th anniversary year, said: “Giving young people the opportunity to develop new skills and participate in activities they would not have previously considered has kept me in the role – seeing them achieve, their commitment and how their confidence grows.
“After more than 50 years of involvement, I have so many memories, but there are some I would never forget. One of my young people, who had never ventured out of Darlington, came face to face with a cow for the first time at the age of 15 whilst on his Bronze Expedition – it was lovely to see. One of the most emotional times, was when we had our first expedition after Covid and the groups were able to be together again enjoying the countryside – just watching them walk across the fields talking to each other and laughing.
“Whilst at times, it can be challenging, I have never looked at being involved with the Award programme as work. It’s been my way of life. I am proud of all the young people who I have supported over the years.”
Jackie Bull, Director of UK Operations at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “As DofE marks its 70th anniversary, it’s especially fitting to recognise Judy Bowerbank in the year of her own 70th birthday, and celebrate her outstanding 50 years of service. Judy’s dedication has made a lasting difference to young people in the North East, and today, as we thank Judy, it’s also a moment to acknowledge our amazing volunteers, adult leaders and supporters UK-wide who help young people across the country build confidence, resilience and skills for life.”
