Volunteering is all about making a difference to other people’s lives. Perhaps you’re interested in animals or conservation? Or you might like to work with older people or raise money for a cause that means a lot to you? From teaching children cyber safety to starting a local recycling campaign, the Volunteering section of your DofE enables you to give your time to help others and change things for the better. You’ll really put your heart into volunteering through your DofE. Many of you will find this section the most rewarding and continue to volunteer long after achieving a DofE Award.

The Physical section is a chance for you to focus on your health and fitness and have fun along the way. As long as you pick something that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity, the possibilities are endless. Improve your football, rock climbing or dance skills or try a completely new sport or activity. Join a team or do it on your own. You don’t have to be super fit or world class – with the DofE, it’s about setting your own challenges, giving 100% and being the very best you can be.

The Skills section is about discovering what you’re really good at. Maybe you want to get better at something you already do, like playing a musical instrument, or learn something for the very first time, like how to design a website? By developing practical and social skills and nurturing your personal interests and talents, you’ll boost your self-esteem and your CV.

You will choose your own volunteering, physical and skill opportunities and should spend a minimum of 1 hour a week on each activity. You will appoint your own 'assessor' - someone who is involved with the activity in which you are participating (a charity shop manager, a football coach or a cookery expert) who will watch you progress throughout the period and will sign your assessors report at the end to confirm you have improved. You will set goals for what you hope to achieve and do your best to meet them. Your time frame for each activity will be either 6 or 12 months (or 18 months for direct entrants on one section). You choose which will be the longest and shortest time frame from Physical, Volunteering and Skill yourself.

Skills photo.jpg