HRH The Duke of Edinburgh heard about the positive difference The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is having on young people and the wider community during an official visit to Peterborough on Thursday, 27 February.
In his role as Patron of the DofE charity, The Duke began the day at Boxing Futures, where he watched the young people demonstrate non-contact boxing, and a therapeutic talk session.
Every year, The DofE Award inspires hundreds of thousands of young people, from all walks of life, to explore who they are, grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to successfully navigate life. Participants choose activities and a cause to volunteer for in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award.
Boxing Futures offers participation in the DofE through its Chatterbox programme. The Duke heard how the charity’s four-year partnership with DofE has helped many participants to re-engage with education, volunteering or employment.
Chatterbox’s Tom Brett, 21, is working towards his DofE Silver Award. Tom helped to host The Duke, and said: “It was amazing to meet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh today and show him everything we’ve been achieving through our DofE.
“When I was younger, I struggled with controlling my anxiety, being antisocial, not wanting to break out of my comfort zone. I would worry about not doing well, failing, I had to leave school early because it got so bad. I didn’t have friends I could spend time with outside. I had no one my age I could to. I felt quite isolated.”
Then he found Boxing Futures, and his life changed. “I feel like I’m moving towards something. It all feels rewarding and then you have a community backing you, people in your corner. Whenever I’m with Boxing Futures, I feel accepted.”
The DofE has played a big part, and completing the residential was a huge milestone for Tom as he had never stayed away from home before. Tom now volunteers at Boxing Futures, and is inspiring other young people to gain their DofE awards.
A holistic blend
Boxing Futures’ psychotherapist Stefanie Radjenovic said: “All our programmes blend therapeutic talking with non-contact boxing, both of which contribute to the Physical and Skills section of The DofE award. Likewise, participation in The DofE Award is a perfect fit to what we offer; it enables our young people to build positive, long-lasting friendships, learn about themselves and others, and build their confidence and self-reliance.
“But the impact of DofE goes much wider, as our young people have been volunteering in the wider community with organisations like the British Heart Foundation, community garden and local sports projects. It is such an honour to witness their growth and be able to support them to reach to their potential.
As part of his visit, The Duke also visited Peterborough United Football Club and Railworld Wildlife Haven where young people from two local schools – Hampton Secondary Academy and Ormiston Bushfield Academy – give up their time to complete their DofE Volunteering section.
Jackie Bull, Director of UK Operations at The DofE Award, said the visit showed the true power of the DofE. She said: “The young people The Duke has met in Peterborough today are a shining example of the life-changing impact the DofE can have on participants’ skills, resilience and self-belief – and the amazing difference they make in their own communities.”
