Richard was recently sent statistics showing that more than 323,000 young people started their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in 2022/23 - the highest number in the 67-year history - with participants giving a huge 3.5 million hours of volunteering in communities all over the UK.
Key figures show that 262 secondary schools offered the DofE for the first time, including 98 in the most deprived areas of the UK; 537,759 young people worked towards their Award during the year – up more than 10% on 2021/22 and young people’s volunteering hours soared by 64% to more than 3.5 million – equivalent to £17 million in paid working hours.
Richard Fuller MP said:
Taking part in DofE builds teamwork, resilience, problem solving and helps young people to realise their own potential. I’m so proud of all the young people in North East Bedfordshire who have made this a record-breaking year for take up.
For more information on how to get involved in DofE, please visit the Charity's website here.
