During my gold award expedition, I learnt to persevere with a group of people I didn’t know very well, and it really helped me develop my social skills. I was completing the award while moving schools, and I learnt how to be independent and work towards your own goals even if they aren’t the same as your friends, which also really helped with my confidence and social skills in my new sixth form. The award overall also made me more interested in physical activity, as I was not the greatest fan of sports before. This inspired me to start rowing at university, which is something I hope to continue after graduation.