Welcome from the Chair of Trustees
Welcome to the DofE!
I am delighted that you are interested in becoming a Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the leading global framework for youth development. We help young people build belief in themselves, take on their own challenges, follow their passions and discover talents they never knew they had.
HRH, Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh set up the Award in 1956, describing the programme as “a DIY growing-up kit”. Since then, we have supported millions of young people to have life-changing experiences, develop essential skills for adulthood and give back to their communities.
We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they are capable of. As we near the end of our ambitious five-year strategy we are looking to recruit two new Trustees to join our dynamic Board and help us take our ambition to the next level.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, background or geography. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition and it’s not about being first. It’s all about expanding your horizons, setting meaningful personal challenges and proving to yourself what you are capable of. I am proud that young people from all walks of
life do their DofE and I am particularly passionate about our focus on reaching less advantaged young people, including those in prison and youth justice, young people with disabilities and additional needs and those experiencing poverty as we know, for marginalised young people, DofE can be a game-changer.
The Board is looking to appoint two new Trustees with significant leadership experience and expertise in the following areas:
- Fundraising, philanthropy and funding strategy development, and
- Education and skills, (this could include schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges and/or education policy and governance)
To ensure effective governance and to meet the needs and aspirations of the most diverse generation of young people ever, our Board members also need a range of lived experience and perspectives. We therefore welcome applications from people of all backgrounds to join our Board but for this round of recruitment we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
If you are passionate about supporting young people to thrive and have the skills and experience we are seeking we look forward to hearing from you.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE
Chair of Trustees, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award