Teddy finds a “safe space” through his DofE activities
As a young trans man, Teddy faced challenges achieving his Gold Award — but along the way, he found an accepting community, rediscovered his passion for film and photography, and built the resilience and self-belief that will help him unlock future opportunities. Read his story.
After achieving DofE Bronze and Silver, Teddy initially felt that going for Gold was a stretch too far. As a trans man, he was nervous about the residential section.
“It raised questions,” he says, “about overnighting and being accepted for who I am. When I realised this, I felt like giving up as issues like this are a daily challenge for me.”
But everything changed when Teddy heard about an arts programme which presented a flexible way forward. “They offered a residential which was split across weekends and based on filmmaking, an area I was very interested in. Little did I know that this would be one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
Teddy found the residential section to be a “really safe space” where he made “lots of queer friends and met a really good group of people.”
One of the defining moments of Teddy’s DofE Gold was his expedition. After struggling with the physical demands of practice, he told his DofE Leader that he didn’t think he’d be able to do the qualifying expedition.
But Teddy’s Leader was determined not to let him give up. He offered an alternative: instead of the original planned expedition, Teddy could join a group supporting his fellow DofE participant, Andrew, who has a visual impairment.
“This was an incredible new experience,” Teddy recalls. “Andrew explained what he needed us to do, and we’d take it in turn to link arms, give clear directions and describe what the terrain was like. I learned that I loved helping others and have gained a lifelong friend in Andrew.”
Teddy’s determination to adapt his DofE sections is reflective of his own journey as a young trans man. His message to other trans people who are navigating growing up: “You can often feel very alone, but if you look, there are spaces with other people like you.”
Based on his own experience, he says that while there can be a “tendency to shut yourself off” because you think it’s “protecting you,” this is only a temporary solution. “We’re a minority, but the only way negativity can be debunked is through positive representation. And by showing up as who you are, you’re able to find the people and spaces you enjoy”.
The skills honed during Teddy’s residential section have helped him gain a university place to study filmmaking. Reflecting with pride on his Gold Award, he says: “the whole experience has helped me to develop resilience and self-belief as well as opening doors and opportunities along the way.”