Diversity of participants T


he Duke of Edinburgh’s Award offers all young people a route map through the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Everyone needs this. Everyone benefits. We work hard


to ensure that we put great efforts into ensuring that disadvantaged and excluded young people have equal opportunities to take part. The range of our young people may surprise you.


Young offenders step up to the challenge


The value of our work with young offenders, particularly those in custody, is increasingly recognised. In 2010 over 1,000 young offenders started doing their DofE.


Reading Prison is committed to reducing reoffending and the DofE is at the forefront of delivery in their quest to turn young peoples’ lives around. One young offender has been in Reading Prison for three years, has achieved his Bronze and Silver Awards, and has almost completed his Gold. After gaining catering skills and NVQs in catering and cookery for his Skills section, he has managed to gain work experience at ‘Jamie’s Italian’ restaurant in Reading where he uses the skills gained to further his personal development.


Following their application to become a DofE delivery partner, Portland YOI’s PE instructors have embedded DofE activities into the daily life of inmates. With the staff having completed a full training programme, participants are now taking part in activities right across the YOI. With the expedition season on the horizon, the focus is on participants completing these under the restrictions of the criminal justice system. In the near future Portland also hopes to support the introduction of DofE programmes in other YOIs across the Region.


In 2010 we launched a new range of promotional films called Releasing Potential. Met with universal acclaim, they showcase the diverse range of participants and DofE activities. View the short versions at www.youtube.com/theDofEUK


Our ambition: To increase the number of young people starting their DofE to 300,000 and to double the proportion of young people taking part from disadvantaged backgrounds.


“I appreciate everything that gives these lads something positive. The DofE gives them something to work towards, and a recognised qualification – most of them don’t have many of those. ” Chris Simmons, a PE instructor at Reading Prison.


The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Annual Review of 2010 13


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