32 young people from Brighton & Hove win Gold
More than 30 young people from across Brighton & Hove will receive their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at a ceremony at Brighton & Hove Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) on Thursday 18 April at 7.30pm.
Presenting the awards will be the Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex, Peter Field. Gold is the highest level of achievement possible on the scheme, which is coordinated by Brighton & Hove City Council's children's services team.
The young people have all completed more than 60 hours of volunteering, 12 months of skills training and 50 hours of physical activity as well as expeditions and residential trips. They are from schools, youth clubs and other groups across the city, and six have special needs.
Activities taken on this year have included:
- kung fu
- rock climbing
- learning Russian
- coaching football for Skill
- helping the British Heart Foundation
- charity radio
- residential trips to Morocco and Peru.
Since April last year, more than 1,000 more local young people have signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
The chair of the council's children and young people committee, Councillor Sue Shanks, said: "The increase in numbers is a tribute both to the enthusiasm of our young people, and the volunteers and unpaid leaders who offer their tireless support.
"The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is a wonderful way for young people to develop their social skills, team participation and leadership abilities. I'm delighted it is continuing to thrive here."
For more on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in Brighton & Hove please:
visit www.brightonandhovedea.org.uk
email rogerj.simmons@brighton-hove.gov.uk
phone (01273) 293642.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold case study - Faye Blazey
Faye Blazey completed her Gold Award with Varndean College in August last year.
She wanted to push herself in areas that she wouldn't generally get involved in, so she took on the challenge of learning Russian. This meant getting to grips with an entirely new alphabet and phonetic system.
It's a skill that will stand Faye in good stead as she intends to visit Russian in the near future.
First aid training she completed with St John's ambulance has enabled her to treat several of her friends for minor injuries. She also took up badminton and ballroom and latin dancing.
Faye said: "It was a huge challenge, and at times it felt that I wasn't making progress. But you learn that perseverance and a positive attitude are vital, and it has really paid off.
"I can be quite a shy person and DofE really boosted my confidence in approaching new and unfamiliar tasks, and gave me faith in my own skills and abilities. I feel so proud now."
Faye is now studying psychology at the University of Surrey, and is involved with a local charity which helps to maintain positive relationships between children and their imprisoned mothers.
Posted: 16th of April 2013