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It’s not just our heroes & Olympians that achieve greatness!

Date: 29th Dec 2021 Author: Jon Nutten

Just before the Christmas break, 31 young people from Stanhope Explorer Unit celebrated achieving their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, with a further 9 young people also achieving their Silver Award in a record-breaking year for the unit! Presented by their unit leader Chris Worthington, this really shows the drive, determination, and resilience of our young people, despite the continued concern about how you will continue their DofE during a global pandemic.

During the packed evening with parents/guardians and supporters all in attendance, a further 6 young people also attained their British Canoeing – Discover Awards.

Young People from Stanhope Explorers received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards during the awards evening.

Young People from Stanhope Explorers received their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards during the awards evening.

Bronze DofE Award Recipients

Name Award Date Name Award Date
Harvey Briggs 02/10/2020 Alexander Holmes 05/01/2021
Harry Ellis 02/10/2020 William Heys 05/01/2021
Joshua Patrick 02/10/2020 Aidan Worden 25/01/2021
Charlotte Duke 02/10/2020 Adam Oakley 19/03/2021
Harrison Jewell 23/10/2020 James Piron 19/03/2021
James Mumford 23/10/2020 Paige Mault 03/05/2021
Molly Kershaw 23/10/2020 Mellisa Waterhouse 03/05/2021
Jack Kirkham 23/10/2020 Thomas Kitto 09/06/2021
Hayden Whybro 23/10/2020 Matthew Hoy 06/09/2021
Benjamin Heath 23/10/2020 Oliver Worden 16/09/2021
Zach Love 24/10/2020 Abigail Trafford 24/09/2021
Eca Westwood 24/10/2020 Hanna-rae Oddie 29/10/2021
Daniel Cunningham 29/10/2020 Amelia Harrison 12/11/2021
Sophie Adamson 09/11/2020 Henry Cookson 19/11/2021
Emma Andrews 11/12/2020 Peter Fillingham 19/11/2021
Niamh Cobb 30/12/2020

Silver DofE Award Recipients

Name Award Date Name Award Date
Charlotte Duke 09/06/2021 Jack Kirkham 12/11/2021
Joshua Patrick 29/10/2021 Emma Andrews 23/11/2021
Harry Ellis 29/10/2021 Zach Love 25/11/2021
Harvey Briggs 29/10/2021 Eva Westwood 25/11/2021
James Mumford 05/11/2021

British Canoeing - Discover Award Recipients

Name Award Date Name Award Date
Aiden Worden 01/07/2021 Eva Westwood 01/07/2021
Alex Heys 01/07/2021 James Mumford 01/07/2021
Emma Andrews 01/07/2021 William Heys 01/07/2021

Explorer Scout Niamh, Said: “Since completing my Bronze Award,  it has helped me in many ways; from new friendships to new experiences and a newfound confidence, DofE helped me discover the reward in volunteering: I became a tutor, i learned so much more about mathematics a subject i love! It inspired me to learn new skills and taught me to step up, challenge myself, come up with new ideas to solve problems – I have the confidence to achieve anything.

I loved my expedition! We might have got lost a couple of times, but a stand out moment when we neared the end we all sprinting, raced each other to the finish and at the end we led down on the grass for ages… It just felt great to have finished. I would really recommend anyone attempt their DofE, I really made strong bonds that will last a lifetime. I’m looking forward to starting my Silver DofE shortly and aim to gain my Gold and Queens Scout Award in the future.”

There are four sections to complete their Bronze/Silver Award. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for, and completing an expedition.

Young people took on a range of projects, supporting vulnerable and elderly members of the local community who are shielding or needed extra support. They all gain vital skills for life through the skills section and undertaking socially distanced expeditions in the local area (across South Ribble, Chorley, and Ormskirk Districts).

Chris Worthington, Stanhope Unit Leader, said: “It’s great to see so many of our young people achieve top award of this scale during this difficult time for everyone and for Scouting across the UK. It truly shows the power that Scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh Award have on enabling our young people to be global citizens and the difference it makes on the local community”

Recent DofE research reveals the positive impact extracurricular learning, such as volunteering or developing a skill, can have on young people’s wellbeing, as a district we could not be prouder! The DofE offers a life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.

The British Canoeing Discover Award

Young People from Stanhope Explorers received their British Canoeing – Discover Awards during the awards evening.

The British Canoeing Discover Award allows young people to develop their decision-making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, taking them on the next steps towards becoming proficient and independent paddlers. Learning how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect their paddling; giving them the confidence to progress to making their own choices with the Explore Award.

The British Canoeing Awarding Body believes in a participant-led approach when creating and enabling an experience from which people will enjoy, learn and develop through paddlesport. These experiences will be delivered in an individualised way that also supports the inherent social aspects of the sport and fosters a sense of a paddling community.

Through this, paddlers will achieve success, this success is focused on the journey and not the destination. The experience will be safe, engaging, and enjoyable, with the paddler at the heart of the process involving them in their own learning and development.

This will be delivered by a supportive and empowering approach to instill an active passion for the sport of canoeing, alongside developing understanding and respect for the environment in which it takes place.


Been inspired…

Or maybe you’re looking for your next challenge? Why not check out the Explorer Belt, Mountain Activities, or Paddlesport 2023 adventures…

Volunteering at Scouts isn’t just about changing young people’s lives. It’s about doing something that’s #GoodForYou too. Good for your health and happiness, good for developing skills, and good for making friends.

Put your phone down and what are you left with? Just teamwork, courage and the skills to succeed.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout Bear Grylls