Article Source: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Last Updated: 8 July 2024 11:23
• Celebrations come as a record-breaking 20,144 young people started their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) last year in Scotland.
• Celebrity supporters JJ Chalmers, Laura Young, Sheli McCoy, Joshua Adeyemi and Mel Young shared their inspiring stories
Friday 5th July 2024:
Around 600 Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award holders were guests of honour in the Gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday 5th July 2024, for a very special event to mark their achievements.
These young people, each attended with up to two guests, have shown extraordinary perseverance, creativity and resilience to complete their Gold DofE in schools, community organisations, youth groups and workplaces, all over the UK.
The Gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse was transformed into a festival-style celebration for young people and their loved ones, with giant deckchairs, bunting, and garden games and activities. Attendees also had the chance to hear from famous DofE Award holders and inspirational speakers.
Friday’s celebration saw The Duke of Edinburgh, who received his own Gold Award from his father Prince Philip at St James’s Palace in 1986, congratulate attendees in a speech from a stage brought into the Gardens. The Duke also met Award holders, hearing about the positive impact their DofE has had on them.
TV Presenter JJ Chalmers delivered an inspiring speech, alongside 19-year-old Sophie Bathgate, who celebrated her own Gold Award achievement today.
Remembering her DofE, Sophie said: "For me, it was the expedition that was the most challenging, as our leaders pushed us to walk long and hard routes, even climbing a Munro on day three. However, looking back I am proud of what I accomplished and the memories I made. The phrase “type two fun” was repeated religiously throughout our expedition. Type one being enjoying something at the time, while type two means only knowing how much fun you had when looking back. I didn’t understand it fully at the time as I struggled through harsh weather conditions and aching body parts, but now I realise just how much I enjoyed the good despite the challenges.”
Sophie, from Dingwall in The Highlands, completed her Gold DofE Award with Aban Outdoor, an outdoor education charity and award-winning social enterprise, based in Inverness.
Breaking Down Barriers
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been focusing on breaking down barriers to give as many young people as possible the chance to do their DofE, working with more schools in deprived areas, further education colleges, community organisations, prisons and young offender institutions, and centres supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The charity recently announced record-breaking participation numbers, with 32,675 young people actively taking part in 2023/24 - with participants contributing an astonishing 318,006 hours of volunteering.
As young people navigate the after-effects of the pandemic, access to developmental opportunities beyond the classroom, like the DofE, are vital to help them have fun, discover new passions, build their self-belief and gain skills employers value – like teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.
A Gold DofE Award is a major achievement – young people spend at least 12 months honing new skills and talents, planning and completing an expedition and residential, and volunteering for a cause they are passionate about.
Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: "The young people here have achieved something exceptional and it is wonderful to see them celebrating together, sharing their experiences and hearing their aspirations for the future. The DofE is all about proving to yourself just what you are capable of, and these young people have showed the world that their potential is limitless. I can’t wait to see what they go on to do next.
“As a charity, we’re working hard to give as many young people as possible the chance to have a DofE experience and we're delighted to announce that last year 330,948 young people started a DofE Award throughout the whole of the UK - another record-breaking year. This growth in participation shows just how much appetite there is amongst young people for enrichment and development opportunities beyond formal education and, together with our partners, we are determined to keep extending our reach until every young person has access to these types of life-changing experiences."
Acclaimed chef Stuart Ralston is launching a new guest chef series, Shore to Shore, celebrating the rich bounty of the British waters.
READ MOREOver 30,000 runners will participate in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run this weekend, making it the biggest staging of the event yet!
READ MOREComedian Craig Hill takes his latest hit show, I've Been Sitting On This For A While!, out on tour across Scotland later this month!
READ MOREAfter a string of sold-out events across the US, Amazing Silent Discos is bringing its unforgettable retro silent disco to the iconic Old Fruitmarket for one night only on Saturday 2 November!
READ MOREIf you're looking for exciting ways to keep the kids entertained this half-term, look no further than Northern Ireland!
READ MOREExhibition on Screen brings the National Gallery's stunning Van Gogh exhibition to the big screen, along with a deep dive into his fascinating life and incredible skill.
READ MOREHistorical re-enactors will be heading to Historic Scotland sites across the country this October for this year's Great Big Living History Week!
READ MOREThe Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has today revealed the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award
READ MOREA female red panda has been born at Edinburgh Zoo and had her first health check from the wildlife conservation charity’s veterinary team.
READ MOREPeople affected by pregnancy and baby loss will be joining together to take part in a range of activities to remember and talk about their babies this Baby Loss Awareness Week.
READ MOREForever Edinburgh is partnering with tourism businesses in Scotland’s capital to launch the ‘Meet Edinburgh’s Makers’ series, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of local producers.
READ MOREMorningside’s McLarens on the Corner has launched a new Kids Eat Free menu just in time for the October half term holidays.
READ MORELibertus has announced that it will host an Interactive event on the 24th of October 2024 to officially launch its Positive Futures Services Project at the Canalside, Wester Hailes location.
READ MOREHigh profile performers and fans are among those supporting a call to help keep the ‘show on the road’ for the Brunton Theatre Trust in its 30th anniversary year.
READ MOREThe Soundhouse Winter Festival, is a brand new music festival which will take place from 28 November to 2 December in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
READ MOREEvent that welcomed huge crowds at Dean Castle, will add a sprinkle of stardust with magical festive fun held at both the original venue and a new location at Beecraigs Country Park.
READ MOREHalloween lovers need look no further than The Real Mary King’s Close this October to celebrate the ominous side of Edinburgh’s past.
READ MORELeading Scottish camping and outdoor specialist brand, Vango, has announced it is working with VisitScotland to promote responsible tourism across the country.
READ MOREEx Scotland rugby internationals Tim Visser and Kath Vass joined 800 Men and Women for Vets Fest 2024 to Celebrate Vets Rugby and Raise Funds for Wooden Spoon.
READ MOREFuture Woodlands Scotland and bp are on a mission to add more trees and green spaces to Scotland’s cities and towns.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Playhouse have today announced their new partner charities, Care For Carers and Macmillan Cancer Support, who they are thrilled to be working with for the next 12 months.
READ MOREAcclaimed Edinburgh-based novelist Angie Spoto will launch her new novel, The Bone Diver, at The Portobello Bookshop on 10th October.
READ MOREThis October, six iconic landmarks in Edinburgh will join 70 venues, sites and monuments and proudly light up in the distinctive pink, purple and teal of Make 2nds Count.
READ MOREUniversal credit discounts to Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park have been introduced permanently by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
READ MOREAward-winning cinnamon roll and bake shop SHOT ‘N’ ROLL have announced a new kiosk in the heart of Edinburgh at St James Quarter, opening on National Cinnamon Roll Day - October 4th.
READ MOREThe Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today invites music fans to ‘Have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Scottish album, plus announces Karen Dunbar and more as judges.
READ MOREHot Dub Time Machine returns to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for the first time in a decade to headline this year’s Night Afore Disco Party.
READ MOREFor a limited time, Cineworld presents a seismic lineup of blockbuster favourites, new and old, in immersive 4DX – all for just £5 a ticket or £3 for Unlimited members.
READ MOREThe Leith Collective launches their Winter Coat Exchange on Tuesday 1st October to coincide with energy price cap rise!
READ MOREGet ready to experience the flavours of Brazil right in the heart of the capital as Rio Brazilian Steakhouse launches an exciting pop-up in partnership with Edinburgh Trams on 4th October!
READ MORE