I started DofE with my bronze award-I had always wanted to do it, if only to find out what all the older students at school were doing putting up tents and using trangias as part of training on Wednesday afternoons! I loved the expedition (as much as I laugh at my younger inexperienced self now!) and decided I was going to do all three awards if only for that section. I had never been camping or done hikes that long with my family, and DofE gave me a way to explore my love of the outdoors.
As part of my Silver DofE I joined the St John Ambulance cadets to learn First Aid as my skill. It was a decision that would change my life forever, and I still consider it the best one I ever made. Through SJA I travelled to Hong Kong to attend international cadet camp, meeting amazing young people from all over the world, and ending up as flag bearer for England. I became District Cadet of the year, and competed in First Aid competitions. Along the way I became so much more confident in what I could achieve, and decided to apply to medical school. A lot of hard work and perseverance later I am now a medical student, and continue to work towards being a Dr to this day. I am now an advanced first aider with SJA, and volunteered at London’s Nightingale hospital for 2-3 weeks during my Easter break in 2020.
The best part of DofE though was always the people I met. I have best friends that I consider to be a part of my family, some I met through Cadets and others on my Gold DofE expedition. Despite the best efforts of the Welsh countryside (and a 5am start) that expedition is still one of the best experiences of my whole life.
Without DofE I genuinely do not know where I would be today. It gave me a focus when I did not know what to with myself, and through it I found friends and a family I did not know it was possible to find. I cannot express how much DofE has had an impact on my life-and I am so grateful that the scheme exists, and is accessible enough that I could take part