No Young Person Left Behind: Sophie’s story
Sophie’s childhood was filled with financial struggles, and at times, she has even supported her mum financially when she was struggling.
“Because I’ve grown up without having lots of money, I’ve learnt how to keep my money and save it from Christmases and birthdays so when money became a big problem, I could help my mum with buying food.”
When Sophie showed interest in the DofE, her mum feared it would be another financial burden. But thanks to crucial funding, Sophie was able to participate without the added worry of costs. Through her DofE experience, Sophie has developed a passion for helping other young people to achieve their Award.
But not every young person gets the same opportunities- especially those from lower-income backgrounds. Right now, 4.5 million young people in the UK live in poverty and that means missed chances, lost confidence, and futures shaped by hardship.
The DofE can act as a protective shield against these challenges by helping young people to:
- Boost their wellbeing: young people have higher life satisfaction, happiness and a sense of purpose
- Build a sense of belonging: 78% of Award holders feel like they belong in their community compared to just 53% of their peers nationally
- Gain hope for the future: DofE helps young people build confidence, resilience and essential life skills – enabling them to discover their full potential.
In just a few months, a new group of young people will begin their DofE journey. They’ll gain new skills, make new friends, and discover that they’re capable of so much more than they ever imagined.
We want to reach 250,000 more young people by 2026 and remove financial?hardship as a barrier to?a life-changing DofE programme. And it starts right now, with young people already waiting for the chance to start their DofE journey today.
