I am a secondary school teacher and my first job was in an inner city school in Birmingham. I volunteered as a young teacher to support on the expeditions having no experience other than a love of the outdoors. The team was led by an experienced member of staff and we were all keen and dedicated. I loved all the students piling in to the school minibus heading off to the Peaks, Brecon or some other wonderful, challenging part of our beautiful country. Taking them out of a large council estate to what was, for some, extremely daunting open spaces.

Coming back to Birmingham exhausted but relaxed and so happy; every one of those young people having overcome challenges and achieved so much. We were all a team - staff and students - re-entering an environment with so many more challenges.

I know that the D of E Award Scheme impacted those students. You could just see it in their faces, hear it in their voices. They achieved so much. As staff, we overcame many challenges as any who works with teenagers will understand, but we were working together, we laughed so much together and we loved it. I learnt with the students and grew in confidence myself. I saw students who were incredibly challenging at school relax and grow along with our mutual respect. Through volunteering, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme made such a positive impact on me professionally and personally and l am truly grateful for all it gave me.