What to expect from your Gold DofE

Fulfilling, challenging, phenomenal. These are the words three Gold Award holders used to describe their DofE when looking back at their achievement from the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

So, who better to ask for advice on completing your Gold DofE Award? Here are some great tips, personal experiences and words of encouragement from the most recent cohort of Gold Award holders.

1. What advice would you give to someone who’s about to start their Gold DofE?

Leela’s advice is to pick a sport you already do or a skill you know you like: “make sure you do something you enjoy doing for your sections so it doesn’t feel like a chore.”

Twins Pippa and Poppy encourage young people to be open to it all: “be open to meeting new people, making new friends and knowing that you’ve got lots to learn. Don’t see the challenges as challenges, but see them as something you can get past and enjoy the fact and reflect on the fact that you did that.”

Charlotte promises: “don’t be disheartened if you find it really hard. There are very low points, especially when it rains and you’re really cold and really tired, but it does get better. At the time it can feel awful, but it is really quite amazing.”

Lucia says: “keep in touch with the friends you make along the way, and soak up the memories for a lifetime. Throw yourself into it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Dhallesha reflects on the nostalgia: “the best part of having done your Gold DofE is looking back at your achievement.”

One thing’s for sure – doing your Gold isn’t always easy. Keep going, don’t be scared and challenge yourself are top tips from many of our experts, because it’s all worth it in the end.

2. What surprised you the most about doing your Gold DofE?

It’s no secret that doing your Gold is big step up from Silver. Sienna admits: “the extra day on the Expedition really does make a difference”. But her friend Tom says he was surprised by how much he enjoyed his Expedition once they got going.

Dhallesha was surprised by how she survived without “basic necessities” and her physical ability. “I didn’t think I was athletic enough to do it, but I wasn’t actually bad” she says.

The Residential section can seem overwhelming, but Omar and Leela were pleasantly surprised by it. “I was quite worried because I didn’t know anyone, but I had a really nice time and I still talk to the people I did my Residential with” Leela admits. Omar also came back from his Expedition and Residential with new friends and fun memories.

3. What did you learn about yourself while doing your Gold DofE?

Many of our Gold Award holders discover that they are capable of more than they thought possible, like our former DofE Youth Ambassador Poppy said in her speech from the West Terrace.

Charlotte says: “I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was. I didn’t think I could carry a bag like that for that long.”

Through the Air Cadets, Pippa and Poppy got to put their leadership skills to the test and figured out how to deal with situations under pressure. Pippa says: “I learnt about how I deal with things, actually being in a situation and figuring out solutions in real time. I could do that, finding ways of working with people and dealing with things in a group”.

As well as leadership, Poppy discovered a passion for performing: “My Residential was with the National Youth Choir of Wales, and those 10 days changed my perception on performing and inspired me to go on and do more.”

For brothers Ish and Sami there’s one clear takeaway: confidence. Sami says: “I’ve become more confident, and my communication skills have developed as well”.

4. What was your favourite part of your Gold DofE?

From canoeing in Sweden with Scouts to volunteering in a maternity ward, the Gold DofE highlights are plentiful. For many, the Expedition and Residential sections are the most memorable experiences.

Dhaleesha went to an activity centre in Surrey over Christmas to do crafts and activities, while Pippa and Poppy cherish the views from the top of the hill on their Expedition in Gower, South Wales.

For Omar, his Physical section stands out: “I did climbing, and that was the hardest bit because I’ve never done it before. The first session I went to I remember thinking ‘what have I signed myself up for?’ It was very overwhelming at first, but I got into it eventually and it felt very good after a while.”

Irene enjoyed helping younger students with maths classes, and Leela volunteered in a charity shop. “I really like the other ladies who work there, so I still go volunteer sometimes” Leela says.

It can be tough picking one favourite part, as the DofE journey can be long. Tom’s favourite part was trying new things: “I got to do different things for my Bronze, Silver and Gold, which was nice.”

5. Describe your DofE in one word

Adventurous. Amazing. Brilliant. Chaotic. Difficult. Enjoyable. Exciting. Fun. Rewarding.