Barbara Follows
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme completely altered me and my life. It did exactly as it was supposed to do. Because I achieved in one area, it gave me the confidence to achieve in another. When I failed at something, I had the tenacity to not give up. To my utter surprise I discovered that I was a natural leader and could inspire others.
I was born in the Black Country in 1953. At school I was a shy, tall girl who wore glasses. I enjoyed learning but did not have any close friends and bullying was a daily occurrence. Then my Grammar school, High Arcal in Sedgley, began a Duke of Edinburgh Club. I was the youngest member and sailed through the Bronze and Silver awards. The Gold took a lot longer.
The Expedition was in Derbyshire. We were supposed to be staying in Youth Hostels but one of them hadn’t replied to us and it turned out that they were full. So, 5 teenage girls were sent away to find somewhere else to stay. We found a barn that had no sides, only a roof and a concrete floor. It was Easter and cold at night, so as I looked the oldest, I was sent back into the village to buy a half bottle of brandy to try and warm us up. We were still cold, so I thought that I would ask the farm people for some newspapers to wrap inside our sheet ‘sleeping bags.’ They were very kind and insisted that we slept on their lounge floor.
By the time I was 16 years, I was playing a very large part in running the club including giving and organising training. I was still tall and shy underneath but I was no longer bullied and had the confidence to leave home for 3 years to do my teacher training.
Achieving the Gold award gave me the self-belief to have a successful career and achieve academic heights. It gave me the strength to follow my husband’s career around the world with a young family and the courage to work as a volunteer with VSO in Namibia without my family. Even now, in my late 60’s I am taking on new challenges. Thank you, Prince Philip.
I was born in the Black Country in 1953. At school I was a shy, tall girl who wore glasses. I enjoyed learning but did not have any close friends and bullying was a daily occurrence. Then my Grammar school, High Arcal in Sedgley, began a Duke of Edinburgh Club. I was the youngest member and sailed through the Bronze and Silver awards. The Gold took a lot longer.
The Expedition was in Derbyshire. We were supposed to be staying in Youth Hostels but one of them hadn’t replied to us and it turned out that they were full. So, 5 teenage girls were sent away to find somewhere else to stay. We found a barn that had no sides, only a roof and a concrete floor. It was Easter and cold at night, so as I looked the oldest, I was sent back into the village to buy a half bottle of brandy to try and warm us up. We were still cold, so I thought that I would ask the farm people for some newspapers to wrap inside our sheet ‘sleeping bags.’ They were very kind and insisted that we slept on their lounge floor.
By the time I was 16 years, I was playing a very large part in running the club including giving and organising training. I was still tall and shy underneath but I was no longer bullied and had the confidence to leave home for 3 years to do my teacher training.
Achieving the Gold award gave me the self-belief to have a successful career and achieve academic heights. It gave me the strength to follow my husband’s career around the world with a young family and the courage to work as a volunteer with VSO in Namibia without my family. Even now, in my late 60’s I am taking on new challenges. Thank you, Prince Philip.
