Rosamaria overcame challenges to learn the value of perseverance

Meeting new people, learning fresh skills and exploring different paths are the things that Gold Award holder Rosamaria said boosted her confidence while doing her DofE.

Rosamaria overcame the challenges of Covid and a condition called POTS to finish an expedition with a difference in the Chiltern Hills back in August 2020.

“I would faint often on my expedition and get tired quickly because my autonomic system cannot work properly. I did the Expedition with a group of people I had never met before, but my team really pulled through and supported me every day of the expedition. They worked with me to figure out the best way of helping me on a day-to-day basis.”

Rosamaria has worked her way through all three levels of the Award and says the most rewarding part was volunteering with Norwich-based charity ANON, to feed the homeless during the pandemic. She also passed her driving theory test as a part of her Skills section and completed two dance grades with Merit, for her Physical section.

“By completing my DofE I learned the importance of perseverance and the value of friendship. I made some of my favourite memories that I still laugh about with my friends, especially the time I fell face first into a puddle of mud!

“My leader, Jane, helped me massively. Not only did she take the time in her day to individually talk to every student completing the award, but she also sent us resources from DofE to keep us motivated.

“Although DofE may seem intimidating to start, it has been the most rewarding thing that I have completed outside of my academic studies. It teaches you important lessons about life and about yourself.”