The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

📢 The new Government must listen to the leaders of tomorrow. Our Youth Voices research involved over 3,000 14-24 year olds from across the UK, seeking their views on the issues that matter most to them politically and personally. Our new Government has an unmissable opportunity to make sure young people are heard, by introducing a clear process to involve youth voices in every level of policy and decision-making. Our new research 👉 DofE.org/YouthVoices2024 #YouthVoices24

We’re celebrating #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities 🎉 Our External Affairs Apprentice Alice tells us about her hopes for people with disabilities and how her apprenticeship with the DofE has allowed her to develop... “Disabled people continue to face barriers to employment and future planning. I'm hoping that more disabled people can access employment and be supported to gain the qualifications they want. Doing my apprenticeship with the DofE has allowed me to develop my skills, career and work with parliamentarians to create change for young people across the country.” Alice, you're an inspiration 💜

Introducing our This is Youth 2024 judges 🥁 This year, we’re excited to have some outstanding individuals on our judging panel. Their expertise, passion, and dedication to youth empowerment make them the perfect fit for recognising the incredible talent and achievements of young people 👉 https://bit.ly/3CLWx4l Stay tuned as we prepare to share the inspiring stories of our incredible winners. Their journeys are sure to leave you feeling inspired and motivated ✨ #ThisIsYouth2024

What an energising day 🌟    From engaging workshops to motivational talks, young people had the chance to explore how the skills they’ve gained through DofE can shape their future careers.       A huge thank you to Next MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre, Mags Creative, Loud Speaker, RSM UK and Balfour Beatty plc for sharing your valuable insights with the next generation 🙌       It’s been so inspiring to watch young people walk away today with practical tips for their future.       #BeyondTheCV

Completing the The Duke of Edinburgh's Award was one of the highlights of my time at school. (As you can see from this photo of me hugging a tree). Blisters all over my feet, carrying a 12kg bag and traipsing through mud. Wild camping by a lake in Wales. Boiling water to pour over frozen boots to unfreeze the laces. Taking it in turns to tell each other the plots of our favourite films to pass the time. Fast forward 18 years, and working with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to produce Navigating Now… a podcast which truly prioritises the voices of young people has been one of the highlights of my career. So today felt like a full-circle moment. Talking to a room full of young Duke of Edinburgh participants about careers and their future working lives. When asked the question, what did you learn from your time completing Duke of Edinburgh's Award that you can take into the workplace, my answer was this: 1. Resilience & adaptability > The ability to bounce back from perceived failures and adapt to changing environments in an invaluable skill in today's working world. Things are changing - fast - and what works one day turns into the failure the next. Be okay with things being hard and adapt to suit your environment. 2. Creativity > Think creatively. Problem solve creatively. Get creative with how you occupy your brain. 3. Communication > The ability to communicate effectively cannot be underestimated. You learn to communicate under pressure on DofE expeditions - when you're tired, your feet hurt and you're a bit lost. Carry that communication with you into other 'under siege' situations in the workplace. Thank you SO much to Steve Kingstone and Rebecca Birks for having me today. And thank you to the amazing 16-19 year olds in the room - YOU are the future.

That's a wrap on our Glasgow Youth Without Limits: Beyond the CV event 🌟 It was an inspiring day filled with workshops and panel discussions around how the skills you learn from doing your DofE can support you when transitioning from education into employment. A huge thank you to Royal Mail, British Airways, Balfour Beatty plc, Amey, IBM, Centrica and Loudspeaker Technology Ltd. (ATC) for giving young people some amazing workshops 🙌 We can't wait to do it all again next week in London 📍 #BeyondTheCV #YouthWithoutLimits

🆕 Today we’re launching a #MonthlyRoundup to celebrate the achievements of some of the incredible organisations and individuals who make an extraordinary impact through the DofE. This month we’re recognising our DofE Leaders ✨ 🧭 Andy Mann took 26 Explorers from Romford Scouts on Expedition. Andy says, “The weekend was all the better for working with a great team of leaders.” 🎂 DofE Volunteer Lou Warren recently celebrated her teammate Martyn Lawrenson’s 40th year of service for the DofE (wow!) during a weekend in the Lake District. Here, they saw four groups of young people complete their Silver Expedition and they finished off the weekend with lots of cake! ⛺ 5 members of staff from Lees Brook DofE team had a fantastic weekend in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. They walked part of their Silver Expedition route and have built up a very close team. 💜 Without the support of DofE Leaders and volunteers there would be no DofE! So, a massive thank you for everything you do which has a positive impact on young people’s lives. Thank you for all you do! Stay tuned for next month's ✨

Congratulations and thank you to all our runners who took part in the Manchester Half Marathon and Royal Parks Half - London at the weekend. Together they've raised nearly £9,000 to help transform the lives of more young people 🥇 If this inspires you to take on your own challenge, check out our website for more upcoming events 👉 https://bit.ly/3XAOePD

We've partnered with NCS - National Citizen Service Trust and Centre for Young Lives to explore evidence linking participation in enrichment activities to improved academic attendance - due to the current 'absence epidemic' 🚨   As part of this research, the commission will investigate relationships between taking part in enrichment, and school attendance - by looking at case studies within schools and completing interviews with educators across the UK.   “Young people have a right to the best possible education, and that includes having access to high quality enrichment activities." Ruth Marvel OBE, DofE CEO.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4kSY7TF

Thank you to everyone who is taking part in the Royal Parks Half - London and the Manchester Half this weekend. 🍀 Good luck! We really appreciate your support which will help to raise vital funds to transform young people's lives. Click below for more DofE challenge events 🔗 https://bit.ly/3XAOePD