Frances Clare Wardman
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Recipient - Bronze 1974, Silver 1975 and Gold 1976
In taking part in the award programme I learned how…
to listen and to realize my voice could be heard,
to support others and to accept support myself,
to trust and to gain the trust from my peers and community,
to be self-reliant and to be able to reach out,
to take part and collaborate in a project and to be independent,
to show my vulnerability and to acknowledge my mistakes,
to be bold and express humility,
to direct and take direction,
to discover confidence but not take it for granted,
to embrace the unknown and to be open to change,
to evolve to share knowledge from my own endeavors and to value the wider perspectives and experiences of others collectively.
The award scheme is beautifully designed, I discovered that each section whether volunteering for the library service - taking books to housebound members of my community, gaining new skill sets - enabling preschool children to read their first stories, giving myself permission to be confident in embracing the challenges of the unknown on my first expedition to the Mendip Hills (I’d wished I’d taken a warmer sleeping bag!), to holding onto courage in the physical challenges of caving when every fibre in my body said, why not just go for a nice walk in the sunshine instead. I felt humbled, inspired and in awe at the level of responsibility and service people give to safeguard and protect their communities in the sessions at my local fire station, and in the knowledge and time these firemen and women generously gave. Participating in all three awards strengthened my ability to reflect on my engagement and progress.
Each section is no greater than the other and all come together as an understanding of oneself and others in the world. Thank you to all who helped me along the way. I’ll not forget my DofE Awards because - I’m still doing it…
…truly hope this inspires you.
In taking part in the award programme I learned how…
to listen and to realize my voice could be heard,
to support others and to accept support myself,
to trust and to gain the trust from my peers and community,
to be self-reliant and to be able to reach out,
to take part and collaborate in a project and to be independent,
to show my vulnerability and to acknowledge my mistakes,
to be bold and express humility,
to direct and take direction,
to discover confidence but not take it for granted,
to embrace the unknown and to be open to change,
to evolve to share knowledge from my own endeavors and to value the wider perspectives and experiences of others collectively.
The award scheme is beautifully designed, I discovered that each section whether volunteering for the library service - taking books to housebound members of my community, gaining new skill sets - enabling preschool children to read their first stories, giving myself permission to be confident in embracing the challenges of the unknown on my first expedition to the Mendip Hills (I’d wished I’d taken a warmer sleeping bag!), to holding onto courage in the physical challenges of caving when every fibre in my body said, why not just go for a nice walk in the sunshine instead. I felt humbled, inspired and in awe at the level of responsibility and service people give to safeguard and protect their communities in the sessions at my local fire station, and in the knowledge and time these firemen and women generously gave. Participating in all three awards strengthened my ability to reflect on my engagement and progress.
Each section is no greater than the other and all come together as an understanding of oneself and others in the world. Thank you to all who helped me along the way. I’ll not forget my DofE Awards because - I’m still doing it…
…truly hope this inspires you.
