The Isle of Wight Council has had its licence to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award renewed, enabling it to continue delivering programmes for young people over the next three years.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been run on the Isle of Wight since the 1960s, during which time thousands of young people have been supported to take part in activities designed to help them reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. Current activities include a wide range of sports, helping at charity shops and animal centres plus hobbies from knitting to cycle maintenance. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award also includes expeditions by foot, cycle or on the water by canoe or sailing boat. These challenge young people to work together and combine mental and physical ability to achieve goals. As well as running its own programme of activities, the licence enables the council to support Island voluntary youth organisations and schools to deliver the awards scheme. Councillor Barry Abraham, cabinet member for fire, culture and residents’ services, said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards play a very important role in developing our young people by offering balanced programmes of activities which combine physical and mental challenges which involve teamwork as well as developing independence. We are delighted that our licence has been renewed which mean we can continue our work in this area and assist other organisations to deliver the scheme on the Island.” Representatives from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award visited the Island last November to meet with those running the awards to make sure it met the required standards. The licence has been renewed for a three year period.
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