Duke of Edinburgh award winners announced

Forty young people from Devon have been honoured for achieving their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

The young people have completed their Gold award and were presented with their awards by Deputy Lieutenant, Sir John Evans QPM DL LL.B at a ceremony at County Hall in Exeter on Saturday 4 January.

The ceremony was attended by Helen Jenny MBE, Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in Devon, and Devon County Council's Head of Child and Adult Protection, Fiona Fitzpatrick

The DofE is a personal development programme undertaken as part of leisure time activities. It challenges young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to serve others, acquire new skills, experience adventure, and make new friends - young and old. There are currently 10,927 young people in Devon registered for the DofE scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

Participants, regardless of their economic circumstances, ability or disability, are encouraged to develop existing interests or try something new. Whatever they choose to do for their programme, they can find enjoyment, excitement and satisfaction. The scheme is run under a licence held by Devon County Council and is delivered through more than 70 groups in Devon including schools, colleges, youth clubs and voluntary organisations.

The scheme is not competitive, and anyone with the necessary perseverance, enterprise and effort can gain a DofE Award. Young people are encouraged to choose activities which suit their particular interest and talents, challenge their perceptions and which are appropriate to the environment in which they live.

For adults the DofE provides an opportunity to help by sharing their skills and experience with young people. This can lead to better understanding between the young and not-so-young, and strengthen co-operation within the community.

The Gold Award can take a number of years to achieve, the average being around two. Each participant has to cover five different areas of achievement - a volunteering project, skills, physical recreation, expedition and residential experience.

Devon Youth Service supports young people from 13-19 in the various adaptations to home, social groups and work as they move into adulthood.

The DofE Award scheme can be of great help for young people making those transitions and this year one of those young people will be showing a short film about how DYS and the DofE has proved invaluable to them in overcoming personal circumstances.

County Councillor Will Mumford, said: "Congratulations to these remarkable young people for achieving this fantastic accolade.

"I am delighted that so many young people from across Devon have been involved in this superb scheme.  The personal skills they develop will be invaluable as they move forward to further education, employment and training, as well as helping local communities, charities and voluntary groups."

For more information visit www.dofe.org