Youth Service Attend Duke of Edinburgh Award Celebration

26 May 2026

The Vale Youth Service attended a very special event Buckingham Palace this week as part of national celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The afternoon was a truly inspirational occasion, with guest speakers and real-life stories from young people whose lives have been transformed through their participation in the Award. 

Their accounts were a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that youth work, mentoring, and structured personal development can have on young people across the UK.

Duke of Edinburgh Manager Hannah Brown and Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator Annette Harrison had the privilege of meeting the Duke of Edinburgh himself, and were able to share the stories of our own Vale of Glamorgan young people and the achievements they have made through the programme.

What DofE really means for our young people

Speaking after the event, Hannah Brown said: “The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is so much more than a certificate. For the young people we work with across the Vale of Glamorgan, DofE has the power to genuinely change lives and we see that every single day.

“We've watched young people who arrived feeling unsure of themselves walk away with their heads held high, proud of what they've achieved. We've seen young people who were at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) discover new passions, skills, and pathways into work, training, or further learning, opportunities they may never have considered before.

“We've seen resilience built in real time, on rainy expedition weekends, through hours of volunteering in their communities, and in the quiet moments when a young person realises they're capable of far more than they thought. And we've watched confidence grow, sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once, because someone finally took the time to trust them, listen to them, and believe in them.

“These are the outcomes that matter to us, and they align directly with our Council's Vale 2030 commitment to Giving Everyone a Good Start in Life.” 

Get involved - Gold Award launching September

We’re also pleased to share that the Vale of Glamorgan Youth Service will be launching a brand-new Gold DofE group this September – adding to already fantastic provisions for the Bronze and Silver awards already on offer through the Vale.

Annette Harrison said: “This is a huge milestone for our service and an incredible opportunity for our young people. Alongside this, we continue to welcome young people at Bronze and Silver level too.

“The DofE is open to anyone aged 14-24, regardless of background, ability, or experience. Whether it's their first taste of the outdoors, a chance to try something brand new, or the next step on a journey they've already started - we'd love to welcome them in.”

If you, your child, or a young person you know might be interested in signing up at any level, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Hannah and Annette would be delighted to have a chat, answer any questions, and help find the right starting point.

• Hannah Brown, Youth Development Office - hbrown@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk 
• Annette Harrison, Senior Youth Engagement Worker aharrison@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
• Or contact the Vale Youth Service team via valeyouthservice@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk