Nearly all 20 of our Bronze DofE Programme participants successfully completed their award at the beginning of September. The 16 young people completed a 26km expedition over 2-days sleeping in hammocks overnight!  Each group created a 60s TikTok video of their adventures along the way, which was part of their aim. Unfortunately, 4 members couldn’t make it for various reasons – one including a broken knee, but we will ensure they have another opportunity in the near future.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is a charity that describes itself as: “A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement, respected by employers.”

At Bronze Level there are four sections to complete: Skills, Physical, Volunteering and Expedition. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, and planning an outdoor expedition which must then be delivered. This group started work on their Bronze Award in February with most having completed the first three sections by the end of the Summer Holidays. 

The Boathouse Youth fully-funds the programme, thanks to our supporters, and delivers it from our Grange Park Youth Centre at no cost to the participants. A free transport shuttle is provided from our Bloomfield Youth Centre to enhance accessibility and expand the reach from which young people may access. During an expedition there is a requirement for participants to have a lot of specialist personal kit and equipment such as rucksacks, walking boots, waterproofs, cooking stoves and hammocks/tents. As an active charity in the outdoors, we provide everything that is required to unlock this potential barrier to participation.

A short awards ceremony took place during one of our evening sessions during which the young people were presented with their framed certificates of which they should be extremely proud!