Duke Of Edinburgh numbers soaring

8:37am Saturday 6th January 2007

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The number of young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme in Oxfordshire has increased by 50 per cent during the last year.

More than 3,000 young people are currently taking part in the scheme across Oxfordshire and the rise has been put down to an increase in the number of volunteers.

The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Malcolm Cochrane, handed out 40 gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at a presentation ceremony at Wychwood School in Banbury Road, Oxford, on Thursday night.

Oxfordshire co-ordinator Maggie Willis said the large numbers taking part showed that, contrary to common perception, lots of young people were doing very positive things.

She said: "Oxfordshire can be proud of the achievements of many of its young people and the work they are doing in the county.

"The increase in the number of people taking the awards is largely down to the fact that it is delivered entirely voluntarily.

"We have had many more good souls over the last year who have given up their time to mentor young people and run courses in the community.

"A large number of schools deliver the award but, if a young person goes to a college where it is not delivered, we have to find another way for them to access the programme.

"The awards give youngsters the confidence to enter into activities they would not normally do or to go on residential camps. They go away apprehensive, but come back with wonderful stories and memories."

Recipients have taken part in a wide range of activities including sports, four-day expeditions, work in the community and residential projects in the UK and overseas.

In 2006, a total of 849 awards were presented to young people in Oxfordshire - 555 Bronze Awards, 217 Silver Awards and 77 Gold Awards.

The award programme is delivered mainly as an extra-curricular activity in mainstream schools. Over the last 12 months there has been an increased involvement in youth centres, community groups and among young people who may be at risk of exclusion.

Keith Sexton, health, safety, environment and quality director at Amey, which helps to organise the awards, added: "We are proud to continue to support The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and help young people prepare for their working lives.

"We can see tangible evidence of the effects of our involvement in improving the chances of young people.

"I would like to congratulate all those who achieved Gold Award and wish them every success in the future."

Gold award winner Stephen Hessey, 22, from Abingdon, said: "Quite apart from it being something to put on your application form, it has given me a lot more confidence in interview situations and getting on with other people from different backgrounds.

"I got a lot of experience in keeping going when it gets tough, particularly during the expedition stage. Some of the time it was a good laugh, but it was definitely very hard work."

Kate Mullins, 18, from Radley, added: "I thought it was a really good thing to do.

"It is only the negative things that come out in newspapers with regard to young people which is quite sad as there are a lot of positive things going on.

"We are not all getting into trouble and we don't all have Asbos, despite what my granny and her friends seem to think!"