Getting active by walking helped Lucy cope with her busy schedule

As a busy Animal Management student, it would have been easy for Lucy, 23, to let her activity level slide.

However, after choosing walking as her Physical section activity for her Silver DofE Award, she found that moving more helped her with her studies and managing her busy life. 

Lucy said:  “I have worked on becoming more active, increasing my step count, and becoming fitter and more mindful about my wellbeing. I found that doing simple things like walking instead of taking a bus, taking stairs instead of a lift, and getting out and about with my dog was enough for me to progress in this section and to feel better both physically and mentally.”

Lucy, who wants to be a zookeeper, has done an eclectic mix of activities for her DofE at Bronze and Silver levels, including helping at a charitable farm that gives opportunities to vulnerable people, being a student ambassador and even taxidermy! She’s also Completed The King’s Trust Programme (formerly The Prince’s Trust) and a Kick Start Scheme Work Placement at Lowestoft Canine Creshe.

Lucy said: “For me, DofE is about developing my soft skills such as confidence, communication and problem-solving abilities. [Exercising] certainly gave me the energy to manage all my academic and other work and social commitments and, as a plus, supported me in succeeding in my Suffolk Coastal DofE walking expedition!”