What is the Award?
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.
The Award is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a Residential activity.
Any young person can do their Award – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through the Award programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business. Find out more here.
The Award in Northern Ireland
The Award is available to young people in Northern Ireland from all backgrounds. The Joint Award initiative (JAI) was established in 1999 following the Good Friday Agreement and through the JAI, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Gaisce: The President’s Award work in partnership to offer Award participants in NI a choice of recognition for their achievements.
14-24 year-olds can do the Award programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award and with the JAI, participants in Northern Ireland can choose their choice of certificate: DofE, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award or Gaisce: The President’s Award.
Everyone follows the same programme, but participants choose which certificate is the best fit for them! The vision of the JAI and DofE Charity is to make the Award accessible to all young people in Northern Ireland, regardless of their background and circumstances!
The DofE/JAI licenses organisations that work with young people to run the Award programme, such as schools, colleges, youth groups and clubs. Through the Licensed Organisation (LO), participants enrol and are supported by Leaders who support them through their programmes, helping them to choose their activities, set their objectives and achieve their Award.
Volunteering is about giving time to do something meaningful, motivated by making a difference rather than making money.
For your Volunteering section, you should look for impactful opportunities around you. Meaningful volunteering is different for everyone. There are many people and organisations that are willing to provide participants with opportunities for volunteering. An opportunity could be found within your community, at social enterprises, charities, not-for-profit organisations and Volunteering Approved Activity Providers. You can also volunteer for social action causes, campaigns and within your Licensed Organisation (e.g., your school or youth group).
If you would like more information on how long to do this section, check out the Timescales page.
For more ideas on what to do for your Volunteering section, check out our Programme Ideas List.
Once you have chosen your activity, confirm your choice with your leader and complete your programme planner before you start volunteering!
If you would like to use an activity log for keeping a record of your Volunteering, you can download one here.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Volunteering section.
For your physical activity you need to choose any sport, dance or fitness activity – in short, anything that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity.
For example, playing a sport regularly and showing personal improvement would count. However, learning to be a coach in the same sport would be a Skills section activity, whilst being a volunteer coach counts would fit with the Volunteering section.
If you would like more information on how long to do this section, check out the Timescales page.
For more ideas on what to do for your Physical section check, out our Programme Ideas List.
If you would like to use an activity log for keeping a record of your Physical activity, you can download one here.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Physical section.
For your Skills activity you need to choose an activity that will allow you to prove you have broadened your understanding and increased your expertise in your chosen skill.
It should not be a physical activity, for example horse riding, as this would be considered a Physical activity choice, however, you could choose to learn about caring for horses.
If you would like more information on how long to do this section, check out the Timescales page.
For more ideas on what to do for your Skills section, check out our Programme Ideas List.
If you would like to use an activity log for keeping a record of your Skills activity, you can download one here.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Skills section.
For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. You must do the correct training for your level and mode of travel, at least one practice expedition (Silver & Gold Level), a qualifying expedition (which will be assessed) and a final presentation in order to complete the section (not required at Bronze).
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts (but you have loads of choices, not just on foot!) with minimal external intervention and without motorised transport. Your route should also be a continuous journey.
Modes of Travel include:
– Foot
– Bicycle
– Boat
– Canoe or Kayak
– Wheelchair
– Horseback
If you would like more information on how long to do this section, check out the Timescales page.
To help you prepare and choose the right kit for your expeditions, check out our Expedition Resources.
For your Residential section, you will need to undertake a shared activity or specific course with people you don’t know, in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment.
You can choose a Residential that provides you with the opportunity to broaden your interests and experiences. It is ideal for trying something new or it can be related to existing interested or activities followed in other sections of your Award programme.
There is a lot of flexibility with this section but there are a number of conditions to consider in order for a Residential to be approved for your Gold Award. It’s therefore really important to get your Residential choice approved by your leader before you register or complete any activity.
Complete a Residential programme planner to show your leader and you can also upload this to eDofE as evidence.