Vale Youth Service attend Royal Palace Celebration for Duke of Edinburgh Award Anniversary
Representatives from the Vale Youth Service attended a special celebration at Buckingham Palace as part of national events marking the 70th anniversary of the The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
The prestigious event brought together youth organisations, award participants and supporters from across the UK to celebrate seven decades of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the life-changing impact it continues to have on young people.
The afternoon featured inspirational guest speakers and powerful real-life stories from young people whose lives have been transformed through their participation in the programme. Their experiences highlighted the lasting value of youth work, mentoring and structured personal development opportunities in helping young people build confidence, resilience and ambition.
Representing the Vale of Glamorgan at the event were Vale Duke of Edinburgh's Award Manager Hannah Brown and Duke of Edinburgh's Award Coordinator Annette Harrison, who had the privilege of meeting Prince Edward and sharing the achievements of young people from across the Vale who have taken part in the programme.
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 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 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 ambitions to Give Everyone a Good Start in Life.”
The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the continued growth of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme across the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Vale Youth Service has announced it will launch a brand-new Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group in September 2026, building on the already successful Bronze and Silver award opportunities currently available to young people throughout 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 to 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.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme supports young people to develop new skills, volunteer within their communities, improve physical wellbeing and take part in outdoor expeditions, helping participants gain confidence and valuable life experience.
Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language, said: “It is fantastic to see the Vale Youth Service recognised as part of this national celebration marking 70 years of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“The programme gives young people invaluable opportunities to build confidence, resilience and life skills, and I am especially pleased to see the launch of the new Gold DofE group this September, creating even more opportunities for young people across the Vale to achieve their potential.”
Anyone interested in joining the programme at Bronze, Silver or Gold level is encouraged to contact the Vale Youth Service team for more information.
For enquiries or to register interest, contact:
- Hannah Brown, Youth Development Officer – hbrown@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
- Annette Harrison, Senior Youth Engagement Worker – aharrison@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
- Vale Youth Service – valeyouthservice@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk