Teamwork:

all-stars
of the year

A group of six hikers walking along a forest path surrounded by lush greenery. They are wearing backpacks and casual outdoor clothing, with some wearing jackets and others in long sleeves. The scene is peaceful, with tall trees lining the path and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Derbyshire Police cadets

In May 2024, six Derbyshire volunteer police cadets – Amelie, Bethan, Clarissa, Emilia, Teri and Rosie – set off on their Bronze expedition, their first major outing together. Little did they know that before reaching the second checkpoint on day one, they would need to deal with a medical emergency, and that their quick actions would potentially save one of their teammates’ lives.

When cadet Teri collapsed and lost consciousness en route, the group acted swiftly and decisively. Each member took on a specific role – contacting their Leaders, keeping Teri warm, and talking to her to provide comfort until she regained consciousness. They also recorded detailed notes of their actions to share with emergency responders.

“To know that we worked as a team to potentially save our friend’s life, it just felt awesome. Like superheroes without capes!"

amelie

Their first aid and CPR training, along with lessons on using police radios and backup phones, proved invaluable in this critical moment. The cadets had rehearsed protocols for emergencies, ensuring they felt prepared and confident.

Through their training and trust from their Leaders, cadet Amelie says they instinctively “knew what to do”. Meanwhile, Emilia says that the biggest lesson she learned from the experience was that “teamwork is the best option”.

A group of people, dressed in outdoor clothing, are carrying a stretcher through a grassy field. The individuals at the front and sides are wearing red jackets, while others in the background are visible walking behind. The lush green field is dotted with small yellow flowers, and there are trees and rolling hills in the background under an overcast sky. One individual is blurred on the stretcher, indicating a rescue or assistance scenario. The group appears focused and coordinated as they move through the open landscape.

Dom stands outdoors, wearing a navy blue polo shirt with a badge that reads "CADET LEADER." The background features a green field and a clear blue sky.

“When the group wanted to continue their expedition, I felt very proud of them for the fact that they wanted to carry on and keep moving. This is everything we try to instil in our young people.”

Dom, Leader

The Derbyshire police cadets were nominated for All-stars of the Year by their DofE Leader, Dom, who highlights how “the actions of this group demonstrate a great example of young people working together. They calmly, as a team, managed to pull together to help resolve the incident.”

special mentions

A young woman in a pink sweater and black leggings is climbing over a wooden fence while carrying a large backpack. In the background, two other individuals, also with backpacks, are navigating the fence. The scene is set in a lush, green landscape with trees and a blue sky dotted with clouds.
Six people with light skin are standing outdoors on a gravel path, posing for a group photo during a hiking trip. They are all dressed in outdoor gear, including jackets, hiking boots, and backpacks. From left to right: the first person is wearing a yellow jacket and gray pants with a large purple backpack; the second person has long brown hair, a teal jacket, and dark pants; the third person wears a red jacket, black pants, and smiles at the camera; the fourth person, standing slightly behind, is in a blue jacket and black pants with an orange backpack; the fifth person, wearing glasses, a gray jacket, and black pants, has hands in pockets; the sixth person on the right wears a burgundy jacket, green pants, and a gray backpack. Leafless trees and grassy hills surround them, suggesting a colder season or early spring.

Grwp Arian

Grwp Arian – a close-knit team of six friends from Wales: Joseff, William, Megan, Hannah, Sam, and Nicola – showed exceptional resilience and teamwork during their DofE expedition. Despite battling "horrendous" Welsh wind and rain, they faced every challenge with determination, keeping spirits high and supporting each other throughout.  

From swapping kits and cooking (with a few pasta-draining mishaps) to offering kind words to one another, they ensured everyone was looked after. They were particularly thoughtful towards Sam, who has silent brittle asthma, providing calm reassurance and help with his load when needed. Their encouragement and humour created a supportive environment, allowing each member to thrive despite the tough conditions.  

Their focus on “sticking together” rather than stressing about obstacles made for a memorable expedition, strengthening bonds that had been years in the making. Even after the journey, they continued to look out for Sam, reinforcing their shared sense of care and connection.  

The group extends their thanks to Tom Gwynedd from Urdd Gobaith Cymru for his invaluable guidance during their practice and expedition. Grwp Arian’s journey highlighted the true value of friendship, resilience, and shared responsibility.

meet the winners

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity in England and Wales (1072490) and Scotland (SC038254). © The Duke of Edinburgh's Award 2023
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