This in from Suzanne on behalf of Isle of Wight Girlguiding. Ed
Over the years a number of members of Girlguiding have gained Girlguiding awards as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.
Both charities encourage participants to undertake challenges which include skills, volunteering and physical activities as well as, perhaps, the most well-known expeditions.
For the young women members of Girlguiding there has always been the challenge of becoming a Queen’s Guide and in recent years this has been dovetailed with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
Networking day
So that the young people taking part in activities for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards can get the most from their training, local volunteers who run the Island groups joined forces recently for a skills and networking day.
Held at Medina Valley Centre on the River Medina the leaders undertook training in bushcraft, canoeing and cycling as well as looking at the best way to help the Island’s young people achieve their Awards.
Going on to help others
Among the leaders attending there were a number of Gold Award holders who, after gaining their own awards have been volunteer leaders over a number of years. These include several who gained their awards through Girlguiding.
Carol Taverner, the Island’s DofE Facilitator said,
“DofE is very beneficial to all young people. At this time, employers are looking for those who have undertaken DofE or similar schemes. There is soon to be a launch of the ‘Lifezone’ part of the Website to help young people use DofE on application forms and CVs.
“There will also be a list of employers who will guarantee an interview to a young person with a DofE Award. This proves that DofE is so well regarded amongst employers and it is so important that young people are given the opportunity to engage, and receive support. On the Island we have just approved a Gold Award for our 200th young person.”
Image: © Suzanne Whitewood
