Golden Girl receives Duke of Edinburgh Award

Just after returning from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, with World Challenge organised by Great Marlow School, I felt I needed a new adventure, one where I was part of a team again. To my delight, at the start of my first year in the Sixth Form, we were offered the opportunity to take up the challenge of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I jumped at the chance.

 

To gain the award there are five sections that must be completed: Skill, Residential, Physical, Volunteer and Expedition.

Skill – I decided to learn to drive, as it would be a useful lifelong skill to have under my belt.

Residential – This required me to spend five days and four nights away from home on a shared activity with people I had never met before. I was interested in finding out more about medicine as a potential career opportunity, so I chose to participate in a Medlink event. This provided me with the opportunity to experience what it would mean to be a medical student at Nottingham University. The course was very comprehensive, introducing participants to various aspects of medicine from leaders in various fields. A highlight was an address from Lord Robert Winston. Being able to mix with people my own age and discuss with them what we were learning from the various activities was tremendous. Attendance on this course helped me to better understand what would be required to achieve a place in this highly respected profession.

Volunteer – For this important aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, I undertook voluntary work at my local Cancer Research UK shop. I have now worked there for over 18 months and have gained knowledge and understanding of the importance that such shops play in raising both money and awareness for good causes. Now, I am looking at working as a research scientist in a laboratory involved in studies to defeat of cancer.

Physical – I attended a weekly Yoga session for over a year, from attending the sessions I learnt the art of Yoga. The form that I studied originated in India. Yoga taught me the skill of listening to my body and entering into deep relaxation. As you may imagine, after a long week of academic studying, I found this to be very beneficial and it is a skill I will continue to use and develop over the years to come.

Expedition – This required the completion of two expeditions. One was for practice and the other formed the basis of the assessment for the DofE Award.

The practice place, we selected as a group, was in the Breacon Beacons. The terrain was very challenging; it is used by the British Army for training. I learnt from this experience that the DofE Award is a tough, both physically and mentally. We powered through long days on foot, in bad weather, through dense forests. We walked continuously each day, experiencing navigation troubles while trying to tolerate the cold and wet. At times I was quite despondent, but I knew that I would have to stay positive if I were to make it through, with the rest of the team, to the assessed expedition. The team decided, as a result of the practice, that our goal for next time was to find strategies keep morale up in different ways each and every day.

When it came to the assessed expedition, we selected the Lake District particularly to ascend Helvellyn. Knowing what to expect in terms of the physical and mental demand of the challenge made the team better prepared, although it did not make the preparation any less daunting. However, each day turned out to be better than the one before as we edged closer and closer to that finishing line. The team worked together knowing that, by finishing, the DofE Award was waiting for us on the other side of the Lake District. I think we would all still agree that what kept morale up the most was food. It was agreed currency that all seven of us would reward ourselves with something to eat at the top of each hill, and, importantly, at the end of each day.

This retelling may have made the expedition seem very boring, but really it was one of the best things I have ever done. We did not walk in silence. We talked and laughed up every hill, supporting each other every step of the way, even when we were struggling ourselves. Working together in this way helped me appreciate what may be achieved when people work together as a team, plus how essential good preparation is.

It has taken me almost two years to achieve this DofE Gold Award, and I am absolutely ecstatic. At times I did not know if I would make it to the end, now that I have there is a sense of relief and delight at the achievement. It has made me look forward to future challenges. I would certainly encourage anyone who loves adventure, travelling and experiencing new things, to participate in the DofE Award scheme, at whatever level.

The scheme is one of the most rewarding things a young person can do. The experiences gained will stay with you for the rest of your life. You are given the opportunity to develop your otherwise hidden talents through placing yourself in new and challenging environments. Ultimately, the DofE provides you with the opportunity to develop skills necessary to succeed in life, such as perseverance and collaboration through teamwork.

Catherine Oliver

Great Marlow School