A DIY growing up kit, by Khalid Aziz

Those four words perhaps sum up how most of us feel, perhaps increasingly these days, such is all the bad stuff that seems to be going on around us. 

So it was particularly pleasant as I bowed out of chairing the Hampshire Forum of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to host once again a special reception in Winchester’s Great Hall for this year’s crop of Gold Award winners. 

Described by Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, founder of the award scheme, as a “DIY growing up kit,” it’s a tough challenge for any young person as they work their way through the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the award. The emphasis is very much on building self-confidence and self-sufficiency, of stretching boundaries and challenging yourself. It can be tough, but the sense of achievement for those who have been through it is palpable.

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The pandemic presented obvious challenges to the scheme; it’s hard to go on expeditions, even in remote and wild places, during a lockdown. The scheme adapted to keep things going and as we emerge from the other side of Covid, DoE appears to have hardly missed a beat. The organisations that promote the scheme - schools, Scouts and Guides, Boys Brigade and so on – have redoubled their efforts and the numbers taking part are burgeoning. 

Gold Award Holders are invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, but additionally in Hampshire we hold a special ceremony for local winners and the signs are that parents and supporters, along with the young people themselves, appreciate this extra piece of recognition as our Lord-Lieutenant presents each individual with a special certificate from the county. 

What stories these young people have to tell! They are the salt of the earth. With so much focus in the media on young miscreants, it gladdens the heart to know that there are such young and aspiring leaders to make up the majority of tomorrow’s society.

What the DoE experience does in spades is encourage and inculcate a real sense of service to their fellow. So many of those who came up for their certificates are now engaged in really worthwhile activities: medical research, studying for a PhD, Primary School teacher, a myriad of society-serving jobs. Most, in addition to earning a living, were also volunteering in all sorts of organisations including putting something back into the DoE award scheme itself as leaders – having been through the experience themselves.

These are the young people on whom the health of our future society lays. The scheme is in good heart and goes from strength to strength, now led by Prince Edward, newly created Duke of Edinburgh by the King in their father’s footsteps. The Prince has thrown himself into this new role, visiting scheme activities up and down the country.

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If, when reading the papers or listening to the news on radio and television, you sometimes despair, you can be forgiven. But remember, the news bulletins do not accurately reflect our entire world

The Chronicle helpfully gave our Great Hall ceremony gratifying coverage, adding to the sense of occasion and achievement. Behind the celebratory picture lies an enormous amount of effort and dedication on the part of young people testing themselves and going above and beyond what they thought they were of. On the night, their parents and supporters were justifiably thrilled with the achievement and no doubt the change they could see as their young progressed through the process the scheme offers. 

Approaching half a million young people are engaged in Duke of Edinburgh at any one time. However, there is scope for many more to share the benefits of involvement in DoE. It’s open to all, so what are you waiting for? Get them to sign up!