For 70 years the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) has helped millions of young people develop confidence, independence and essential skills for life and work. Achieving a DofE Gold Award takes immense determination and commitment from young people, but their achievements wouldn’t be possible without the encouragement, guidance and passion of the adults who support them.
Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People (SfYP) is the Licenced Organisation for the DofE in Hertfordshire, and SfYP staff were among the many DofE leaders, coordinators and volunteers who were invited to the 70th anniversary event in appreciation of the essential role they play in enabling the young people to achieve their awards.
From left to right: Alyson Lord (DofE Coordinator at Dame Alice Owen School), Cllr Mark Watkin, Sally Smith (SfYP Employment and Training Adviser), Russell Dyke (DofE Volunteer), Rachael Garcia (SfYP Senior Youth Worker), Phil Munn (SfYP Youth Worker), Peter Ambler (SfYP DofE Manager), Cllr Hilary Skoczylas, Andy Riley (DofE Coordinator at Monks Walk School), Linton Sutherland (SfYP Senior Youth Worker)
Cllr Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, at Hertfordshire County Council, said:
"I was delighted to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award celebration at Buckingham Palace. It was especially lovely to attend alongside Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People colleagues, whose fantastic support helps so many young people in Hertfordshire to thrive. Seeing so many young people recognised for their hard work and determination was incredibly inspiring – they should all be very proud of their achievements."
Around 6,000 people attended this year’s event which was hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Trustee of the DofE since 1988, who gave the first speech on the main stage. The other speakers on the West Terrace were Jake Humphrey, broadcaster and author on the subject of performance, leadership, resilience and mindset, and DofE Youth Ambassador, Evie, who talked about how she found her voice through the DofE Skills Section and never let her disabilities hold her back despite facing many challenges. The speeches helped attendees reflect on all they have achieved and offered encouragement as they embark on their next chapter.
There was also a series of satellite stages where inspirational public figures talked about their personal DofE journeys. Archive materials were on display to showcase the history of the DofE and mark its 70th anniversary.
Hertfordshire County Council has been central to the delivery of the DofE in Hertfordshire for over 50 years and now supports 97 schools and other centres to deliver the DofE under the SfYP licence. 15,728 young people are currently doing their DofE in Hertfordshire, and 5,527 awards were achieved by Hertfordshire young people in the last year.
As well as supporting other centres to deliver the DofE, SfYP runs DofE projects for young people across Hertfordshire. These inclusive projects are specifically for young people who need additional support to achieve their awards, for example, those with special educational needs and disabilities. Find out more here:
The SfYP DofE Team also runs DofE Gold Award residential courses and DofE expeditions and offers many volunteering opportunities for adults who would like to become a DofE volunteer.
