Latest news with #DofEAward
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Volunteer Sienna, 14, recognised for her efforts helping disabled horse riders
A 'CARING' Middlewich High School student has been recognised for her efforts helping disabled horse riders Sienna Clarke has been volunteering at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre while completing the bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). During her time at the college, the 14-year-old has been helping children with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or learning difficulties, with Nantwich RDA (Riding for the Disabled). Now Sienna has been named the New Young Volunteer of the Year in the Nantwich RDA Awards 2025. She said: "I've really enjoyed working with the adults and children with the Nantwich RDA - the best part is seeing them smile and how they have developed confidence on the horses. "I feel I am more confident in and out of school, especially when talking to other people. Sienna Clarke (Image: Middlewich High School) "This is something that I will now continue to do once I have finished the bronze award, I would really like to work towards the silver award." Some of the activities Sienna has been doing while volunteering include walking around the arena for three hours a week supporting the children with their co-ordination, as well as helping them feel safer and more secure on the horses. In winning the award, Nantwich RDA highlighted the great physical endurance Sienna has shown during her volunteering, as well as her caring nature and great leadership skills. She has built trust and relationships with some amazing children and volunteers at the equine centre at Reaseheath. Lydia Naylor, head teacher at Middlewich High School, said: "We are extremely proud of Sienna and all our students taking part in the DofE for all the volunteering hours they have carried out. Read more 'Pure joy on their faces' - Young Cheshire carers given holiday of a lifetime Pool-loving mayor kicks off year of fundraising with one-day 14-pub challenge 'Head-banging' tunes aplenty as theatre group set to take audiences back to school "It is a pleasure to see students, such as Sienna, give their time to support others but also develop in confidence and leadership skills. "The students signed up for the DofE are not only making a positive difference in our local community but also developing lifelong skills." In May, the DofE announced a record-breaking 342,000 young people had started one of its programmes in 2024-25 – the highest since the charity was founded almost 70 years ago. The DofE is delivered in schools, colleges, community organisations, hospitals, prisons and more, all over the UK. It is open to any young person aged 14 to 24, with participants building their own programmes as well as choosing activities and a cause to volunteer for, in order to achieve a bronze, silver or gold DofE Award. Sienna has been helping disabled children with Nantwich RDA (Image: Middlewich High School) Ruth Marvel OBE, the CEO of DofE Award, said: "We're absolutely delighted to see the impact that young people at Middlewich High School have made through their DofE volunteering. "Volunteering is a great way for young people to build confidence, develop work-related skills and use their passions and talents to benefit others. "It changes lives and communities for the better – that's why it's an integral part of the DofE programme. "We're so proud of all the young people at Middlewich High School who have dedicated their time and energy to helping others in their communities."
Leader Live
04-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
266 people in Wrexham to take on Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The participants have all set themselves the challenge of completing a DofE award, with three starting the Gold award, 20 starting the Silver, and 243 starting the Bronze between April 2024 and March 2025. The awards scheme, open to people aged 14 to 24, requires participants to choose activities in four sections: physical improvement, skills development, volunteering, and an expedition. This helps them develop resilience and self-belief while working towards a well-respected award. Across the UK, young people involved in the DofE scheme have contributed 5.2 million hours of volunteering, helping their local communities and gaining future-ready skills. The DofE scheme reported a record-breaking 342,000 young people embarking on their DofE journey in 2024-25, the highest number since the charity was founded nearly 70 years ago. Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, said: "We're absolutely delighted that 266 young people started a DofE Award in Wrexham, providing opportunities for them to discover new passions, learn vital skills and give back to their local community. "Over the last four years, over a million young people across the UK started a life-changing DofE Award, with more than 342,000 starting an Award in 2024-25 alone – the highest in our nearly 70 years of history. "This shows just how much appetite there is amongst young people for enrichment opportunities beyond formal education." READ MORE: WATCH: Vale of Clwyd Tractor Run returns and raises more than £2,700 for charities The DofE charity has been working to remove barriers and make the scheme accessible to all young people, with the support of funders and partners. This includes increased collaboration with community organisations, schools in deprived areas, further education colleges, prisons, and centres supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The charity aims to reach 1.6 million young people by next spring, providing more youngsters with the opportunity to unlock their potential through the DofE scheme.
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Duke of Edinburgh meets Peterborough teens making a difference
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, has been meeting with young people who have made a difference to their communities by taking part in a royal award group in Peterborough have been working their way to achieving a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards aim to help young people discover passions, gain skills and build resilience and Tom Brett, who is working towards his silver award through community group Chatterbox, said it was "amazing" to meet the duke. "When I was younger, I struggled with controlling my anxiety, being antisocial, not wanting to break out of my comfort zone," said Mr 21-year-old, who left school early, said his life changed after he joined Boxing Futures, visited by the Duke."I feel like I'm moving towards something. I got fitter, I just started losing weight. It all feels rewarding and then you have a community backing you, people in your corner."Mr Brett now volunteers at Boxing Futures, which is a charity combining the DofE award with non-contact boxing and therapeutic talk to reduce loneliness and improve young people's physical and mental health. The duke also visited Peterborough United's stadium to hear from pupils doing a DofE and working towards a BTEC and A Levels in sport in partnership with Nene Park ended his day at the Railworld Wildlife Haven, where he met students from local schools, completing their volunteering section at the 15, who achieved his Bronze Award, said: "I really enjoyed the process of working my body harder physically, seeing the end result, the difference I made and how much people appreciated my work."The DofE Award was set up by the late Prince Philip for young people "who might otherwise lack opportunities".Aimed at those aged 14-24, youngsters choose activities which help them improve skills, volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding expedition. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
