HRH The Duke of Edinburgh heard about the positive difference the DofE is having on young people and the wider community, during an official visit to Peterborough.

In His Royal Highnesses’ role as Patron of the DofE charity, The Duke began the day at local youth charity, Boxing Futures, and enjoyed non-contact boxing and pad-work demonstrations from young people taking part in the sport for their DofE Physical section. Boxing Futures supports community groups, schools and youth offending teams to reduce isolation and, by offering the DofE, is helping some of the city’s most marginalised young people reach their potential.

The Duke then headed to Peterborough United Football Club, where His Royal Highness heard about the benefits of a new partnership between the DofE charity and the Peterborough United Foundation. There The Duke also met young people who explained how a pioneering enrichment partnership project delivered by the DofE has positively impacted them.

The Duke concluded the day by visiting the Railworld Wildlife Haven, an inner-city habitat creation and biodiversity improvement project where young people from three local schools – Hampton Gardens Secondary School, Ormiston Bushfield Academy and Arthur Mellows Village College – give up their time to complete their DofE Volunteering section.

Today’s visit shows the many ways and places for young people to experience a life-changing DofE programme, as the DofE charity works to break down barriers to participation, particularly for marginalised young people. This includes supporting more community organisations, schools in deprived areas, organisations supporting young people with additional needs, and prisons and Young Offender Institutions to start running the DofE – giving more young people an opportunity to use it as a springboard to unlock their potential.

Over 1,100 young people in Peterborough started their DofE during 2023-24 and, of those, 519 were marginalised young people. Collectively, they gave more than 14,313 volunteering hours in the community during the same period.

Jackie Bull, Director of UK Operations at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said today’s visit shows the true power of the DofE. She said: “The young people The Duke has met in Peterborough today are a shining example of the life-changing impact the DofE can have on participants’ skills, resilience and self-belief – and the amazing difference they make in their own communities.”

Boxing Futures

The Duke began the visit at Boxing Futures, a charity that combines the DofE with non-contact boxing and therapeutic talk to reduce loneliness and improve young people’s physical and mental health, and wellbeing. The Duke heard how the four-year partnership has helped many participants to re-engage with education, volunteering or employment, thanks to the positive relationships and motivation they have built, and the core soft skills they have developed.

As well as enjoying non-contact boxing and pad-work demonstrations from young people doing their DofE Physical section, The Duke watched a demonstration of a therapeutic talk circle, led by Boxing Futures’ inhouse psychotherapist, Stefanie Radjenovic, who regularly provides emotional support for young people at the gym.

DofE participant Tom Brett, 21, who is working towards his Silver Award through community group Chatterbox, has been working on his DofE Physical section for six months.

Tom helped to host The Duke this morning and said: “It was amazing to meet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh today and show him everything we’ve been achieving through our DofE.

“When I was younger, I struggled with controlling my anxiety, being antisocial, not wanting to break out of my comfort zone. I would worry about not doing well, failing, I had to leave school early because it got so bad. I didn’t have friends I could spend time with outside. I had no one my age I could talk to. I felt quite isolated.”

Tom found Boxing Futures and his life changed. “I feel like I’m moving towards something. I got fitter, I just started losing weight. It all feels rewarding and then you have a community backing you, people in your corner. Whenever I’m with Boxing Futures, I feel accepted.”

The DofE has played a big part, and completing the residential was a huge milestone for Tom as he had never stayed away from home before. Tom now volunteers at Boxing Futures and is inspiring other young people to do their DofE.

Boxing Futures’ psychotherapist, Stefanie Radjenovic, said: “All our programmes blend therapeutic talking with non-contact boxing, both of which contribute to the Physical and Skills sections of the DofE Award. Likewise, participation in the DofE Award is a perfect fit to what we offer; it enables our young people to build positive, long-lasting friendships, learn about themselves and others, and build their confidence and self-reliance.

“The impact of DofE goes much wider, as our young people have been volunteering in the wider community with organisations like the British Heart Foundation, community garden and local sports projects. It is such an honour to witness their growth and be able to support them to reach to their potential.”

Peterborough United Football Club

The Duke then visited Weston Homes Stadium, the home of Peterborough United Football Club, to hear from young people doing their DofE through Peterborough United Foundation. Under a scholarship and in partnership with Nene Park Academy, young people over 16 can now do their DofE and work towards a BTEC Level 3 or A Level qualification in sport, whilst playing football at fantastic venues such as first team training grounds and non-league stadiums.

Whilst at the club, The Duke also met pupils from two special educational needs schools – Heltwate School and Marshfields School – who litter pick around the stadium and surrounding areas as part of their DofE Volunteering section.

His Royal Highness also met representatives from Villers Park and staff and students from Nene Park Academy who spoke about the success of a pioneering enrichment pilot, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education, and delivered by the DofE and NCS Trust.

The Enrichment Partnerships Pilot (EPP) opens the door of possibility for thousands of young people in some of England’s most deprived areas, improving links between schools and their local communities and giving young people access to experiences that will boost their wellbeing, help them develop crucial skills, and boost their self-belief and resilience.

Elliot, 14, who attends Nene Park Academy and met The Duke today, said: “The experience I had while at the EPP workshop with Villiers Park was great. It helped me communicate with peers I usually wouldn’t talk to and opened me up to new opportunities and taught me valuable life lessons which have benefited me with teamwork and communication skills. I really enjoyed this day, and I look forward to achieving more skills which will help me in the future.”

Railworld Wildlife Haven

The Duke ended the visit at the Railworld Wildlife Haven, where he met students from Hampton Gardens Secondary Academy, Ormiston Bushfield Academy and Arthur Mellows Village College who are completing their Volunteering section at the centre. Volunteering activities range from woodworking and making traditional trellis panels, nest boxes and hedgehog hotels, to enriching the appearance of the paths around the landscaped wildlife haven.

Michael Perkins, 15, who hosted The Duke at Railworld Wildlife Haven, explained the benefits of his volunteering for himself, and the local community.

Michael, who achieved his Bronze Award through Kirkstone House School, said: “I really enjoyed the process of working my body harder physically, seeing the end result, the difference I made and how much people appreciated my work. Volunteering for the first time helped me understand why people volunteer and how dedicated they are as well.

“I also enjoyed meeting new people, learning from Brian’s past experiences and using tools that I wouldn’t normally get to use.”

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