Duke of Edinburgh Students Recognised for 117 Hours of Community Volunteering
Monday, 14th July 2025
Our Duke of Edinburgh Award students have recently been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the local community, having completed a combined total of 117 hours of volunteering as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award.
This year, 23 students completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, showing exceptional commitment by volunteering in many ways, from assisting local temples and primary schools to coaching sports, supporting school events and organising litter picks.
Lacey Gittings, 14, who recently completed her Bronze DofE at Harper Green School, said: “I volunteered with the PE department, helping to coach younger students and get them more active. It was amazing to see their confidence grow through sport and it helped build mine too.”
Mrs Fercsi, DofE Manager at Harper Green School, said: “I’m incredibly proud of all our students for the dedication they’ve shown through their DofE volunteering. It’s been inspiring to see the variety of ways they’ve supported the community, from sports coaching to helping at local events and schools. Volunteering doesn’t just benefit others, it uplifts our own morale and mindset and truly shows how capable and compassionate our young people are.”
In May, the DofE announced that a record-breaking 342,000 young people had started a DofE programme in 2024-25, the highest since the charity was founded almost 70 years ago. During the same period, participants have contributed an astonishing 5.2 million hours of volunteering in communities all over the UK – with an estimated total value of £33.4 million.
Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see the impact that young people at Harper Green School have made through their DofE volunteering. Volunteering is a great way for young people to build confidence, develop work-related skills and use their passions and talents to benefit others. It changes lives and communities for the better – that's why it’s an integral part of the DofE programme. We’re so proud of all the young people at Harper Green School who have dedicated their time and energy to helping others in their communities.”
To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose activities in four sections: improving a Physical and Skills activity, Volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding Expedition. Along the way they have fun, grow in resilience and self-belief, discover new talents and passions, and learn practical skills to help them in future – while working towards a highly respected Award.
Thanks to its incredible network of organisations delivering DofE, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the largest facilitator of youth volunteering in the UK. Over the last four years, the DofE charity has focused on breaking down barriers to taking part – working with more community organisations, schools in deprived areas, further education colleges, prisons, and centres supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The charity is now aiming to achieve 1.6 million Award starts by spring 2026, so that even more young people can take part in a life-changing DofE programme.