award programme

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Taking a look at the DofE Gold Level | Tunde Folawiyo

Through the Duke of Edinburgh’s World Fellowship, individuals like Tunde Folawiyo come together to support young entrepreneurs involved in the DofE. This challenging programme encourages young people to develop the social, intellectual and physical skills they need to become well-rounded individuals.

Tunde FolawiyoWithin the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, the Gold level is reserved only for candidates aged 16 or over, who have already completed their Bronze and Silver level activities. Whilst there is no flexibility in regards to the age limit,  it is possible for those who have not gone through the previous levels to join in at the Gold stage, provided they are willing to commit to 18, rather than 12 months of work.

Although participants at Gold level are allowed to select the same activities that they chose for former levels, those who do this are required to demonstrate a certain level of development; to simply repeat the same activity again, without showing any indication of progress, is not acceptable.

As with the Bronze and Silver levels, the Gold is divided up into several categories, namely Volunteering, Skills, Physical, Expedition and the Residential Project. The latter is only available at this particular level, and involves a four day trip with a group of people whom the participant has never met before. The volunteering activities are spread across the entire twelve months; however, for Skills and Physical, the participant can choose to spend six months on one, and 12 on the other. Those who are joining in without having completed Bronze and Silver must do an additional six months of activities.

Philanthropists like Tunde Folawiyo understand the importance of acknowledging young people’s achievements. As the culmination of many years of hard work, receiving the Gold Award is a very important moment, and as such, deserves to be celebrated. The DofE committee hosts Gold award presentations several times each year, in one of three venues; St James’s Palace, Hillsborough Castle, and the Palace of Holyrood House. Just recently, two brothers, named Juba and Adam Jasko, attended one of these events in London, after having spent more than six years completing all of the required activities at the Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels.

They were joined by 13 other DofE participants, each of whom received their certificate from Prince Philip. More than 300 hundred people attended the ceremony. The Cabinet member of children’s services, Councillor Maxi Martin, was also present; she was given the opportunity to meet the Duke of Edinburgh, and was awarded a three-year operating licence, which will enable the council to continue its participation in the DofE programme.

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Tunde Folawiyo | The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme – How does it work?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is given to those aged between 14 and 24, who successfully complete a series of activities. These activities are designed to help participants develop character and confidence, and to teach them the value of hard work and persistence. They are provided with support throughout the course of their journey, ensuring that they have the guidance and encouragement that they need to accomplish their goals.

The programme is divided up into three levels, consisting of Bronze, Silver and Gold. Most begin by completing four sections at Bronze level; this can take up to six months. For those who do this, the subsequent level, Silver, will also take six months; however, there is an option for participants to
Tunde Folawiyojoin in this programme without completing the Bronze stage, in which case they are required to spend one year working on their Silver activities. The Gold level also takes a year to complete, although it will take slightly longer (18 months), if a person has not finished the previous two stages, or if they have only received the Bronze award.

Tunde Folawiyo understands that this award programme is unique, in that young individuals are permitted to tailor the activities to suit their personal preferences and circumstances. The type of activities undertaken can vary considerably, but will include learning a new skill (usually of a practical or social nature), providing a voluntary service, participating in challenging physical recreational events, going on an expedition, and getting involved in a residential project (the latter is reserved only for people who have reached the Gold level). The progress of each participant is carefully monitored and assessed by a person who has expertise in the selected activities.

The division of the activities into the five aforementioned categories ensures that participants receive a balanced learning experience, which will benefit both their mental and physical wellbeing, and help them to become well-rounded individuals.

Individuals including Tunde Folawiyo, have been assembled as Fellows of the Duke of Edinburgh World Fellowship, to promote diversity, and encourage all young people to participate for the Duke of Edinburgh award, regardless of their background, gender or particular skill sets. The flexibility of the entry paths and activity choices, coupled with the fact that the programme is widely available both in the UK and abroad, means that even those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds can get involved if they wish to. All that is required is commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. As a prestigious and youth developing programme, Tunde Folawiyo and other Fellows of this programme can help to make a difference to the development of the younger generation of this time.