Duke of Edinburgh's Award

You can learn lots of new skills, improve your fitness and take part in expeditions and adventure activities. A DofE Award also looks good on your CV and can be useful when applying for educational courses and jobs.

Who can do the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is for anyone between the ages of 14 and 24.

What do you have to do?

Young people get to choose what they want to do with the programme full of activities and projects. The programme is linked to sport, volunteering, skill or hobby and an expedition.

What else is in it for you?

As the individuals progress through the programme, they'll learn important life experiences, meet new friends and gain talents that we hope will stay with them forever.

How does it work?

There are programmes at three levels which, once completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

During the programme, young people need to do each of the activities for an average of one hour per week for a certain period of time which determines which level of award they will achieve. The awards are achieved as follows:

• Bronze award for a minimum of 6 months
• Silver award for a minimum of 12 months
• Gold award for a minimum of 18 months

It's a big commitment but we aim to see young people achieve and succeed by doing the award, and in turn learning a lot about a working life and making the most of it.

Where can you get support if you want to do The Duke of Edinburgh's Award?

Some schools and youth projects offer support with the DofE programme, and there are three open projects based at Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre, Stanhope Community Centre and Lumley Community Centre.

For more information look at the Duke of Edinburgh's Award website.

Do you want more information on other activities for young people?

If you are not interested in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, take a look at Activities for young people where you can get lots of information on positive activities in County Durham.