Sir Ashley Fox MP is celebrating the commitment and dedication of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Award participants throughout Burnham-on-Sea & Bridgwater as 400 set themselves the personal challenge of achieving a DofE Award.
22 started their Gold DofE award, 81 started their Silver DofE Award and 297 started their Bronze DofE Award between April 2024 and March 2025.
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.
Sir Ashley Fox MP said: “It’s fantastic to see so many young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The commitment they show through volunteering, learning new skills, and challenging themselves, will stay with them for life. I commend everyone involved in supporting this valuable programme.”
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 that 400 young people started a DofE Award in Bridgwater, providing opportunities for them to discover new passions, learn vital skills and give back to their local community.
“Over the last four years, over a million young people across the UK started a life-changing DofE Award, with more than 342,000 starting an Award in 2024-25 alone – the highest in our nearly 70 years of history. This shows just how much appetite there is amongst young people for enrichment opportunities beyond formal education. Together with our volunteers, partners and supporters, we want to reach 1.6 million young people by next spring, so even more young people can unlock their potential by taking part in DofE.”
Thanks to its incredible network of organisations delivering the 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 its work on breaking down barriers and opening up access to all young people, with the support of its funders and partners – working with more community organisations, schools in deprived areas, further education colleges, prisons, and centres supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
