Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s youth and family support service is holding a series of recruitment events for young people interested in joining the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

The award, for young people aged 14 to 24 years, is recognised nationally and internationally by colleges, universities and employers that young people have achieved and ‘done something different’ with their lives that makes them stand out from the crowd.

The programme has three levels, bronze, silver and gold. Each includes a personal programme of activities involving a skill, a physical activity, volunteering and an expedition. The bronze level can be completed in just nine months, silver in 12 months, and gold in 18 months.

Participants decide themselves what they would like to do for each section, and many may already be doing some of the activities as hobbies or interests, such as learning to play a musical instrument, playing a sport, caring for animals, performing arts or photography.

It is also an opportunity to do something different, create new experiences, learn new skills, gain new friends and have fun.

The costs of undertaking the awards are:- Bronze Award £130, Silver Award £230, Gold Award £330. The costs can be paid in two instalments.

Following a generous donation by the Dewhirst Charitable Trust, there is a bursary award for young people to whom cost may be a barrier to joining the scheme. The bursary pays 75 per cent of the costs, and also a £75 voucher towards expedition equipment and clothing.

Recruitment evenings will be held as follows:-

Beverley – Beverley youth and family support centre, Burden Road on Wednesday 25 February at 7pm
Driffield – Driffield Sixth Form Centre, Driffield School, Manorfield Road, on Tuesday 24 February at 6.30pm
Haltemprice – The Green Room, Kingston Buildings, South Hunsley School, Melton, on Tuessday February 24 at 7pm
Market Weighton – The Library, Market Weighton School, Spring Road on Thursday 26 February at 6.30pm

Registration is online from Friday 6 February at www.eastriding.gov.uk/yfs

For further information and enquiries, please contact Lynda Harris on 01482 392824