The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award aims to support every young person to feel empowered, develop new skills, and build confidence and resilience to prepare for the future. It offers life-changing experiences, meaningful connections, and a chance to give back through fun and varied activities.  

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award applied for a grant from the Hays Travel Foundation, to change the lives of the most marginalised young people in the North-East of England by helping them achieve their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The funding supported expedition costs including equipment and clothing, as well as travel costs for volunteering and the tools to develop new skills.  

Thanks to funding from the Hays Travel Foundation, 169 young people have been supported to start their DofE, with a goal of reaching 190 young people by the end of May 2025. This funding has made a significant impact on the lives of marginalised young people. One young person shared, “This is one of the best experiences I’ve had. Even though it was tough, I really enjoyed it.”