Staffordshire Scouts has been recognised by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) scheme for the remarkable contribution made by volunteers across the county, with a total of 6,461 volunteer hours recorded over the past year in support of young people working towards their awards.
The recognition highlights the dedication of Scout volunteers who have given their time to support every aspect of the DofE journey, including training evenings, expedition preparation, practice walks, qualifying expeditions, administration and ongoing mentoring of participants. These hours represent an extraordinary commitment from volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure young people have the support, guidance and opportunities needed to succeed.
Across Staffordshire, Explorer and Network Units play a vital role in delivering the DofE programme, helping hundreds of young people build resilience, independence and practical life skills through one of the UK’s most respected youth awards.
Within the county, Burton District Scouts is proud to be one of the largest providers of DofE opportunities, with Burton Explorer Scouts playing a significant role in supporting and delivering the programme year after year. From expedition training and route planning to kit preparation and practice weekends, Burton’s leaders and volunteers have invested countless hours to help young people achieve success.
The award serves as recognition not only of the measurable hours contributed, but also of the passion, commitment and expertise volunteers bring to every session, walk and expedition. The impact of this support extends far beyond the award itself, helping young people develop confidence, leadership, teamwork and self-belief.
Jonathan Large, District Top Awards & DofE Advisor for Burton District Scouts, praised the volunteers whose efforts made this achievement possible.
“This recognition from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is a fantastic reflection of the dedication shown by volunteers across Staffordshire. Here in Burton, we are incredibly proud to be one of the county’s largest providers of DofE, and this would simply not be possible without the commitment of our leaders and volunteers. Every training night, practice expedition and qualifying expedition represents hours of planning, preparation and support behind the scenes.”
As a district we would especially like to thank all of the leaders involved with Burton Explorers who continue to give up their time, energy and expertise to support our young people. Their hard work, commitment and willingness to go above and beyond has helped make this achievement possible and continues to inspire the next generation to challenge themselves and achieve more.
The award stands as a powerful reminder of the value of volunteering and the extraordinary impact that dedicated leaders continue to have on young people across Staffordshire.
