This category celebrates a group of young people who have banded together to achieve something extraordinary: a team whose collective drive and spirit lifted them to go beyond what any one of them could achieve on their own.

Congratulations to Kilsyth DofE group, the Teamwork: All-stars of the Year winner!

kilsyth dofe group

As part of their Volunteering section, Kilsyth DofE group (Aadam, Lana, Jack, Abbie, Gregor, Anthony, Eilidh, Sophia, Grace, and Sarah) took on the challenge of organising a DofE Awards ceremony in North Lanarkshire.

The event took place in Motherwell Concert Hall and had around a thousand people in attendance, including a mixture of ages and generations. The organisational reins were handed over to the group who delivered an exciting, dynamic and celebratory event that involved audience participation throughout.

"Walking out on stage for the first time was a massive adrenaline rush. It was very nerve-wracking, but the evening was great and flowed brilliantly." - Jack

Despite not knowing each other very well beforehand, the group worked expertly as a team, from welcoming the guests on arrival, and leading the presentation, organising the games and activities to keeping everything running smoothly backstage.

Finham Park School

During their practice expedition in the Clent Hills in April 2023, Annalise, Jenna, Will, Aiden, Jack, Hemeraj and Jessica all had to think quickly when they found a woman in difficulty and realised she was having a stroke. They sprang into action, flagging down a passing car, calling an ambulance and staying with the woman until paramedics arrived.

A few days later, the DofE group was contacted by the stroke patient’s daughter to inform them that her mum was out of hospital and doing much better. With the patient’s husband planning on being out until 10pm that day, had the students not found her when they did, the outcome could have been very different. The family later donated money to charity in the group members’ names, as a gesture of their thanks and appreciation.

"I’m just happy to be part of a team that could assist in saving someone’s life."

Mr Sheikh, the DofE Manager at their school, is enormously proud of the group and how they handled the situation without needing to rely on their DofE Leaders for help. To be recognised as a special mention in the All-stars of the Year category has helped the group realise the significance of what they did. They are proud to be a positive example for future DofE groups at Finham Park School.

Perth and Kinross Association

Harry, Callum, Archie, Kayleigh and Lewis are a DofE group who support each other through difficult challenges. The group have various additional needs, from physical disability to learning needs and autism.

The whole group worked together as a team and were one unit. Even when it came to filling in their logbooks – for those who struggled to write, the others supported them. For their Volunteering section, Harry and Archie created a community garden and pond at Megginch Castle, working together as a team to help benefit local communities wanting to visit and use the space. 

"DofE is the best thing I could ever have done, and it will have a lifelong positive impact."

During their expedition, they had each other’s backs, helping one another navigate map reading and taking it in turns to keep up morale. They all supported Kayleigh, a wheelchair user, by pushing her when needed and supporting her to be out of her chair when she wanted to be. Meanwhile, Kayleigh and Callum supported Harry with map reading and navigation. 

Not only have they become a team, they have also found a new sense of purpose and happiness in their lives through forming new relationships and socialising. Their friendship has continued, and they now go out for meals, walks, and even travel and camp together in their free time.