UK Youth Ambassadors Programme 2024 - 2025 - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Are you passionate about the DofE and ensuring equal opportunities for young people from all backgrounds?

Has doing the DofE had a positive impact on you, and would you like to share your journey to inspire more young people to take part?

Do you want to be given a platform to speak out on the issues that impact you and your generation?

We believe in youth without limits – bringing communities together, sharing skills and creating opportunities. We’re here to empower young people; to support them as they overcome obstacles and build confidence and resilience. If you would like to go further with your DofE and help to shape our future, join our 2045-25 UK Youth Ambassador Programme.

It’s important that our Youth Ambassadors represent all young people taking part in the DofE. We welcome applications from young people from diverse backgrounds, religions, cultures, gender identities, abilities, and perspectives.

Applications are now open and the closing date to apply is midday on Thursday 2 May.

Requirements to apply

To apply to become a 2024-25 Youth Ambassador you must meet the below criteria…

Aged 16-24 at point of application
Achieved a minimum of one level of your DofE Award (Bronze / Silver / Gold)
Passionate about the DofE and happy to share your experiences with others
A team player who wants to work alongside other Award holders from across the UK
Open to sharing your views and interested in discussing key issues that affect your generation
Have enough time to commit to the role (approximately 4-6 hours per month over a 12-month period, with weekly updates)
Available to attend monthly online sessions running on Thursday evenings
If you are under 18, have consent from your parent or carer to apply

If you think that joining sessions online might be a barrier to taking part, please let us know in your application and we will work with you to find a solution.

The programme is inclusive and flexible, with additional support available for anyone who needs it, ensuring this is an opportunity that all Award holders can apply to be part of.

Key dates

We’ll share any events, focus groups, and content creation opportunities with you at least four weeks in advance and, depending on your availability, will then add these into your calendars and support you with the next steps.

We are pleased to be able to share most of the 2024 – 2025 workshop details with you, so you can check whether these fit in with your other commitments. You do not have to attend every workshop but to make the most of the opportunity, the more you can attend, the better!

Thursday 13 June: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Welcome to UK Youth Ambassadors (online)

Friday 5 July: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Body Talk public speaking training (in person – Central London)

We are aiming to get all the Ambassadors along to this day! You will be able to meet the team, receive your Ambassador clothing and take part in an incredible workshop delivered by Body Talk.

Thursday 5 September: 7pm – 8pm
Inspirational speaker (online)

Week commencing Monday 28 October
Go Ape team building (in person)

You will have a choice of two venues to attend across two different dates. Once we know where the 2024 – 2025 cohort of Ambassadors are based, we will work with you to confirm dates and locations.

Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December or Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 December: 6.30pm – 8.30pm (pick preferred option)
Mental health awareness training (online)

There will also be a fully funded opportunity to complete a 16-hour Mental Health First Aid Qualification following these sessions

Wednesday 16 or Thursday 17 October: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Media skills training (online)

Thursday 20 or Thursday 27 February: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Visual goalsetting (online)

What's in it for you?

The Youth Ambassador Programme is voluntary, and any reasonable expenses will be covered for in-person events. These will be agreed in advance with you.

If you join the 2024 – 2025 cohort, you will benefit from:

DofE polo shirt and fleece
Access to monthly skills building workshops delivered by industry experts
Gain experience and confidence communicating with other young people and adults in a professional setting
All transport and accommodation (where required) for in-person events pre-booked and paid for by DofE
Meet other like-minded young people who share a passion for the DofE
Networking opportunities with internal and external stakeholders
Use the UK Youth Ambassador Programme as the Volunteering section for your DofE Award, with DofE staff taking on the role of your Assessor
A fantastic addition to your CV and a chance to hear more about further opportunities within charity, youth work and social action settings
Support from the DofE staff team for future references
Certificate (signed by Ruth Marvel, CEO) and gift after you’ve completed the programme

Become a 2024-25 UK Youth Ambassador

To start your application to become a 2024-25 UK Youth Ambassador, please fill in the application form below.

If you encounter any issues with the application process or would like further support, please contact [email protected].

*First Name

*Last Name

Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY)

*Email

*eDofE ID

"Your ID number can be found in the top left-hand corner of your 'My Journey' page. On the DofE App, select the icon in the top right-hand corner. You will then see your full name, with your ID number under it."

Please note, your first name, last name, DOB and email should all match with the information that is recorded on your eDofE account.

1) Tell us about your DofE experience, including any highlights or challenges you've overcome, and what DofE means to you. (300-word limit)

* Answer

2) Why do you want to be a DofE UK Youth Ambassador and what aspects of the role stand out to you in particular? (300-word limit)

* Answer

3) What skills or experience do you have that will make you successful in the role? (300-word limit)

* Answer

4) You are attending a Political Party conference in your role as a UK Youth Ambassador and have the opportunity to meet your local MP.

What issue would you want to discuss with them that you feel passionate about?
How does this impact your generation?
What changes would you like to see happen to resolve the issue? (300-word limit)

* Answer

5) You have been invited to give a speech about your DofE journey at a Regional Conference to an audience of DofE Leaders and Managers, who run the Award in their organisations. Your speech should last between 2 - 3 minutes.

Some optional ideas to consider:

- Who you are and where you are from
- How and why you got involved with the DofE
- Any misconceptions / worries you had to begin with
- What activities you have done for your sections and why
- What you have gained from doing the DofE
- Any advice you would give to the Managers to ensure DofE is accessible for everyone

Please record a video of yourself giving this speech.
We would recommend recording this on your phone, you can then upload the video to WeTransfer.com and click the ‘Get a link’ button.
You can then copy and paste your link into the box below and we will download your video upon receipt of your application.

Your video will only be used for the purpose of the application and will not be shared externally.

*Link

Please tick this box if you're happy for us to contact your DofE Manager (as recorded in eDofE) for a character reference if you're shortlisted for the Ambassador role.

If you are under 18, please tick to confirm that your parents / guardians are aware that you are applying to become a DofE UK Youth Ambassador.

Please confirm your availability to attend the first three Ambassador skills building workshops by ticking the boxes below:

Thursday 13th June 6.30pm - 8.00pm Welcome to Ambassadors (Online)

Friday 5th July 10:30am - 3:30pm Teambuilding & BodyTalk (In-Person Central London)

Thursday 5th September 6.30pm - 8.00pm Inspirational Speaker (Online)

* All transport and accommodation costs will be paid for in advance by DofE. (Additional travel support is available for Ambassadors who require it). The DofE staff team will be on hand to support you throughout and the Youth Engagement Project Manager can write to your education provider to request permission to attend this event.

Please add any additional comments or relevant information here:

A Youth Ambassador talking to another person and looking away from the camera. She is wearing a DofE lanyard and Youth Ambassador polo shirt.

Meeting HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was such a unique experience. I also enjoyed being able to speak at the Greater Manchester DofE Conference! The programme has launched me into other opportunities within my community, such as trying to champion the cause of running the DofE in my college and convincing them to get involved.

Jake

Bronze and Silver Award holder

Being a UK Youth Ambassador has involved many amazing opportunities and so the whole experience has been a highlight! We worked on a project exploring meaningful volunteering and, as a team, created a programme plan and supporting documents on the topic of ‘hidden disabilities.’ I am so proud of our work and the project was made available on the DofE website!

Amelia