Renfrewshire thanks the Duke of Edinburgh's Award volunteers

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To mark 50 years of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, Renfrewshire Council held a special ceremony for the volunteers of the Renfrewshire’s local award groups.

Each volunteer was presented with special commemorative gifts for their efforts. Lots of events are being planned across the country by the award scheme to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Over the past 5 years, the number of young people taking part nationwide in the award scheme has risen by about 30%, with now over 225,000 young people working towards awards at any one time. Over 6 million people have gained an award worldwide. In Renfrewshire alone there are 234 young people participating in the award.

The awards have been operating in Renfrewshire for around 15 years and has had 2,500 young people participating in and been accredited with bronze, silver of gold award.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14 to 25 years. Young people have to complete four sections to gain an award:

• service
• skills
• recreation
• expedition

There are three levels of the award – bronze, silver and gold – which the young people work through as they get older. The gold award also requires participants to complete a residential project where they must be away from home for over 5 days.

The award now operates in over 100 countries-wide. Renfrewshire Council continues to support and develop the awards, acquiring the annual operating licence and providing resources and youth service support to the groups.

Councillor Glen, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Lifelong Learning and Work Policy Board said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to thank all the volunteers that run these awards. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme remains popular in Renfrewshire, and if it wasn’t for their support we would not be able to help so many young people through these awards. I am sure that these 50th anniversary celebrations will act as a real boost to those currently taking part in the scheme and those thinking of taking it up."

In addition to these local events, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme has chosen April Fools Day to raise awareness of their Service section of the Award. So instead of ‘fooling around’ on April 1st, all the award participants across the country will be encouraged to take part in the 'National Celebration of Service Day'.

For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the 50th anniversary celebrations, contact the Scottish Award Office on (0131) 556 9097, or email scotland@theaward.org.

Press Release: Friday 31 March 2006