I took part in the Award at Old palace School Croydon,in 1992 and reached Bronze level. I enjoyed the volunteer section, where I volunteered at Kings College Hospital and got to try gymnastics for the first time as well as using my music /flute lessons for something other than exams. The hardest part was the final camping expedition, as I had never been camping before. Somehow I completed Bronze level and was on my way to completing Silver when I had to give it up.

Then in 2016 I took part in the Diamond Challenge. More importantly I discovered a love for hiking and doing volunteer and charity work. I also worked at the Summer Opening at Buckingham palace in 1997 and 1998. That helped me to get my permanent job at the British Museum in 2001 after finishing university, and where I still work today.
Thanks to the DofE Award, I have also taken part in Race For Life and Sport Relief as well and am also investigating the origins of charitable organisations in Britain, Almshouses, of which some still exist in Croydon today, where I currently live.

I have found that doing different types of volunteer work, including the DofE helped me to develop other skills outside of my regular job