Young Person from Cleckheaton Celebrates Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Achievement at Buckingham Palace

Posted By: Christopher Morganon: June 05, 2024In: Current Affairs, Education & Training, News, Regional News

Photos provided by DofE

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By Joshua Robinson –

Jessica Victoria Dickinson from Cleckheaton has celebrated achieving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award in Buckingham Palace Garden, hosted by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh as Patron of the DofE charity.

Jessica, 18, joined thousands of young people and their loved ones from across the UK for a festival-style celebration on Monday 13th May 2024. The celebration was one of four taking place over two days at the Palace, recognising over 8,000 young people who have showcased perseverance, creativity, and resilience to complete their Gold DofE in schools, community organisations, youth groups, and workplaces.

Buckingham Palace Garden had been transformed into a festival-style celebration for young people and their loved ones, with giant deckchairs, bunting, garden games, and activities. Attendees had the chance to hear from famous DofE Award holders and other inspiring speakers, such as broadcasters Vick Hope and Clive Myrie (both DofE Award holders themselves), astronaut Tim Peake, and TV chef Matt Tebbutt. Attendees also had the chance to pick up career advice from actors, presenters, authors, and campaigners, at stages throughout the garden.   

Photo provided by DofE

Jessica is currently working as an apprentice at Anchor Housing. She did her Gold DofE at Little Dear Wood, Mirfield, where she engaged in activities such as arts and crafts and conservation. It was a challenge for her to carry out all of her activities during the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she was determined not to let that stop her from achieving the Award.

Jessica said: “I was one of the youngest to commence my Gold DofE as I started on the day of my 16^th birthday so that I could do it as soon as I possibly could! I really enjoyed achieving my Bronze and Silver Awards, so I knew straight away that I wanted to complete my Gold as well. I learnt how to read a map, but also how to take charge and lead a group when it was needed. I have a passion for being out in the countryside and I loved wild cooking.”

“For my Expedition, I went to the Outward Bound Trust in Ullswater, where I met lots of new people and made new friends that I am still in touch with today, and we discovered our enjoyment of rock jumping. I enjoyed the experience of the Gold Award celebrations, especially being able to explore the beautiful garden at Buckingham Palace and listening to Jodie Ousley who gave a very inspiring talk.”

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “The young people here today have achieved something exceptional, and it is wonderful to see them celebrating together, sharing their experiences and hearing their aspirations for the future. DofE is all about proving to yourself just what you are capable of, and the young people here today have showed the world that their potential is limitless. I can’t wait to see what they go on to do next.”

“As a charity, we’re working hard to give as many young people as possible the chance to have a DofE experience and we’re delighted to announce that last year 330,948 young people started a DofE Award – another record-breaking year. This growth in participation shows just how much appetite there is amongst young people for enrichment and development opportunities beyond formal education and, together with our partners, we are determined to keep extending our reach until every young person has access to these types of life-changing experiences.”

Photo provided by DofE

About The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award:

A Gold DofE programme is a non-competitive personal challenge, open to all young people, which takes a minimum of 12 months to complete. Young people build their own programmes with activities in five sections – Physical, Skills, Volunteering, a five-day Residential, and a four-day Expedition. 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award focuses on breaking down barriers to give as many young people as possible the chance to do their DofE – working with more schools in deprived areas, further education colleges, community organisations, prisons and young offender institutions, and centres supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The charity recently announced record-breaking annual statistics, with 545,910 young people actively taking part in 2023/24, over 330,984 young people starting their Award – and participants contributing 4.7 million hours of Volunteering, equivalent to over £24 million in paid working hours.