During an official visit in Peterborough, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh learned about the impact of the Duke of Edinburgh Award on the community and young people during a Thursday 27th February.
As Patron of DofE, the Duke started the day by visiting Boxing Futures. He watched young boxers demonstrate non-contact fighting and participated in a therapy talk.
DofE Award is a program that inspires young people from every walk of life to discover who they are and to develop skills to navigate through life. The DofE award is achieved by participants who choose activities to do and causes to support in order to earn a Bronze or Silver DofE.
Boxing Futures provides participation in DofE via its Chatterbox program. The Duke was told how Boxing Futures’ four-year partnership has enabled many DofE participants to return to education, volunteer work or employment.
Tom Brett of Chatterbox, 21 years old, is working on his DofE Silver Award. Tom Brett, who hosted The Duke said that it was “amazing” to be able to show HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh everything we have been doing through the DofE.
When I was young, I had a hard time controlling my anxiety and being antisocial. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone. It was so bad that I left school early. I worried about failing and not being able to do well. There were no friends outside that I could hang out with. There was no one of my own age that I could spend time with. “I felt very isolated.”
Boxing Futures changed his life. “I’m feeling like I am moving in the right direction. You feel rewarded and you know that you are supported by a group of people. “Whenever I am with Boxing Futures I feel accepted.”
Tom’s DofE award has been a major factor in his life. Completing the residential, which was his first time away from home, marked a significant milestone. Tom is now a volunteer at Boxing Futures and inspires other young people in gaining their DofE.
Blending holistically
Stefanie Radijenovic, psychotherapist at Boxing Futures said that all of their programmes combine therapeutic talking and non-contact boxesing. Both contribute to The DofE’s Physical and Skill section. Participation in the DofE Award fits perfectly with what we do. It allows our youth to make positive and lasting friendships and learn more about themselves, others and their own self.
The impact of DofE is much wider. Our young people are volunteering with organizations like the British Heart Foundation and community gardens. They also participate in local sporting projects. I am so proud to be able support and witness them grow.
As part of the visit, the Duke visited Peterborough United Football Club as well as Railworld Wildlife Haven. Young people from Hampton Secondary Academy and Ormiston Bushfield Academy gave up their time in order to complete their DofE volunteering section.
Jackie Bull, director of UK operations at the DofE Award said that the visit demonstrated the power of DofE. She stated: “The young men and women The Duke met today in Peterborough are shining examples of the DofE’s life-changing effect on participant skills, self-belief and resilience.”
