About the DofE
14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications.
You will be able to select and set objectives in four areas: volunteering, physical, skills and expedition.
To achieve an award, students must work on each section for a minimum period of time, and they will be monitored and assessed by staff. You are required to show regular activity and commitment to the award for the duration of your DofE programme, which is usually at least one hour per week.
You can find out more about the Bronze award here.
HOW much will it cost?
Registration for the Bronze award is £25 + processing fee payable upon registering for the award. This registration fee includes:
eDofE account creation
DofE physical welcome pack
eDofE support and advice - join our monthly support calls or email us anytime
Leader approving evidence and approving/querying sections
Award verification
Badge and Certificate processing
a DofE Card to get discounts on things like kit and expeditions
Training sessions - taking place at either a youth centre or virtually.
Our qualified and experienced DofE leaders support participants through their entire DofE journey, from start to finish. They prepare participants for the expedition plus provide one-to-one support with eDofE and give guidance on section activities throughout the entire award journey.
If this is a barrier to you, please continue to submit your application or expression of interest form and contact our DofE Manager Alice.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Bronze timescales
It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.
– Volunteering section: 3 months
– Physical section: 3 months
– Skills section: 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.
Activities
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Volunteering is simple. It’s about choosing to give time to help people, the community or society, the environment or animals.
What activities count?
Your volunteering must not be done for a business but can be undertaken for a charity or not-for-profit organisation. Where your volunteering is in support of surplus generating work, for example a charity shop, then some Local Authorities may require a work permit. The charity you are volunteering with should be aware of this and support you as required.
For your volunteering activity you need to choose to give time to do something useful without getting paid (apart from expenses).
You can also volunteer in a team, which might be an easier way to find an activity if you can identify a local need you can help with.
The aim is to encourage service to individuals and to the community.
See a list of ideas for activities here.
What are the benefits?
As a participant, you will:Make a personal contribution
Appreciate the needs of others and contribute to their well-being
Trust and be trusted
Understand personal strengths and weaknesses
Increase self-esteem
Overcome prejudice and fears
Generate positive action in the community
Accept responsibility
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Volunteering section.
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What activities count?
For your physical activity you need to choose any sport, dance or fitness activity – in short, anything that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity. For example, playing a sport regularly and showing personal improvement would count. However, learning to be a coach in the same sport would be a Skills section activity, whilst being a volunteer coach counts for the Volunteering section.The aim is to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity.
See a list of ideas for activities here
What are the benefits?As a participant, you will:
Enjoy keeping fit
Improve fitness
Discover new abilities
Raise self-esteem
Extend personal goals
Set and respond to a challenge
Experience a sense of achievement
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Physical section.
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What activities count?
For your physical activity you need to choose any sport, dance or fitness activity – in short, anything that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity. For example, playing a sport regularly and showing personal improvement would count. However, learning to be a coach in the same sport would be a Skills section activity, whilst being a volunteer coach counts for the Volunteering section.
The aim is to encourage the development of practical, social skills and personal interests.
See a list of ideas for activities here
What are the benefits?
As a participant, you will:
Develop practical and social skills
Meet new people
Organise and manage time
Discover how to research information
Set and respond to a challenge
Work with others
Enjoy sharing
Discover new talents
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What activities count?
For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. You must do the correct training for your level and mode of travel, at least one practice expedition, a qualifying expedition (the one that is assessed) and a final presentation in order to complete the section.
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts (but you have loads of choices, not just on foot!) with minimal external intervention and without motorised assistance. Your route should also be a continuous journey.
The aim is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.
What are the benefits?
As a participant, you will:
Plan and execute a task
Demonstrate enterprise and imagination
Work as a member of a team
Respond to a challenge
Develop self-reliance
Develop leadership skills
Recognise the needs and strengths of others
Make decisions and accept the consequences
Reflect on personal performance
Enjoy and appreciate the countryside
What are the modes of travel?
Foot
Bicycle
Boat
Canoe or kayak
Wheelchair
Horseback
To help you choose and then find the right kit for your expeditions, the DofE Expedition Kit Guide offers key information, tips from the experts and money saving ideas.
Once you know what kit you need, the DofE Expedition Kit List is the essential checklist when preparing the kit you need. All DofE recommended kit is tried and tested, so you know it’s fit for expedition.