Richard and Sally Rhodes

Girlguiding Midlands fully supports the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and all Guides, Rangers and Young Leaders aged 14 to 25 years are eligible to undertake the award via Girlguiding in their Counties. Special qualifications are not needed, just a willingness to have a go.

An Award Adviser is a member of the Midlands Region Team, and each County in the Region also has an Award Adviser as a member of the County Senior Section and Outdoor Activities Teams.

Briefly, the Award is a fun programme of challenging activities which help you to learn new skills, help others and experience adventure. It will give you a great sense of achievement. Participants develop: self-belief, self-confidence, a sense of identity, independence, a sense of responsibility, an awareness of their potential, new talents & abilities, an understanding of strengths & weaknesses, the ability to plan and use time effectively, the ability to learn from & give to others in the community, skills including problem solving, presentation and communication and the ability to lead & work as part of a team. Many organisations such as employers and universities take a good view of the Award and what it says about the person who has achieved it.

There are three levels: Bronze, silver and Gold, and for each you complete activities in four sections: Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Expeditions. At Gold level you take part in a Residential Project

Starting ages for each of the three levels are:
Bronze - 14 yrs, Silver - 15 yrs and Gold - 16 yrs.

For more details speak to your Unit Leader or visit the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website at www.theaward.org