The Earl of Wessex had a busy Monday in Blackpool and Preston, carrying the legacy of his late father’s project. He met with many Duke of Edinburgh scheme participants to find out how their experience in the programme has been.
Prince Edward visited several different places around Blackpool to meet with young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The Earl started the day by visiting Thames Primary School to meet with youngsters just getting started on their awards before visiting South Shore Academy.
At South Shore Academy, he was able to talk with current scheme participants and the different skills that they are learning for their award, like photography. Amy Leach, the DoE manager, has developed a programme that provides support for low-income students to be able to complete their awards.
Edward then visited The Oracle, a youth venue, where award participants were helping to pick up litter in the community.
The late Duke of Edinburgh established the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in 1956 in the UK, and it quickly spread to other countries. Those participating in the DoE programme can choose to do a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. The award is open to those 14 to 24 and challenges participants to work in five areas: volunteering, expedition, skills (social skills), physical (movement), and if pursuing a Gold award, Residential, where they complete an activity in a group for five days.
The Earl of Wessex has been involved in the Duke of Edinburgh awards for several decades. He earned his own Gold Award in the scheme in 1986; in 1987, he was made a UK Trustee of the International Award Association, as well as becoming the Chair of the Trustees for the International Council. In 2015, he was made the Chairman of the Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.
