Sir John to present DOE Awards in New Year

Thirty nine young people from Devon will be honoured for their contribution to the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award scheme.

The young people have completed their Gold award and will be presented with their awards by Sir John Evans, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, at a ceremony at County Hall in Exeter on Saturday 5 January.

Attending the ceremony will be Helen Jenny MBE, Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in Devon, Devon County Council's Head of Child and Adult Protection Rory McCallum will also be in attendance, and Cabinet Member with responsibility for the youth service, Cllr Stuart Barker.

The DofE is a personal development programme undertaken as part of leisure time activities. It challenges young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to serve others, acquire new skills, experience adventure, and make new friends - young and old.

There are currently 7,800 young people in Devon registered. Participants, regardless of their economic circumstances, ability or disability, are encouraged to develop existing interests or try something new.

Whatever they choose to do for their programme, they can find enjoyment, excitement and satisfaction.

The scheme is run under a licence held by Devon County Council and is delivered through more than 70 groups in Devon including schools, colleges, youth clubs and voluntary organisations.

The scheme is not competitive, and anyone with the necessary perseverance, enterprise and effort can gain a DofE Award.

Young people are encouraged to choose activities which suit their particular interest and talents, challenge their perceptions and which are appropriate to the environment in which they live.

For adults the DofE provides an opportunity to help by sharing their skills and experience with young people.

This can lead to better understanding between the young and not-so-young, and strengthen co-operation within the community.

The Gold Award can take a number of years to achieve, the average being around two.

Each participant has to cover five different areas of achievement - a volunteering project, skills, physical recreation, expedition and residential experience.

County Councillor Stuart Barker said: "Congratulations to these remarkable young people for achieving this fantastic accolade. "I am delighted that so many young people from across Devon have been involved in this superb scheme.

The personal skills they will be invaluable as they move forward to further eduaction, employment and training, as well as helping local communities, charities and voluntary groups."