Do The Award

Non-formal education focuses on developing the wider life skills which help young people ensure they are ready for the world. When paired with formal education, it provides a fantastic foundation for a young person to thrive and succeed in their future professional and personal growth.
You’ll also make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.
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Award Structure

Participants progress at their own pace through three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
There are four Sections to the Programme that must be done for a specified minimum period of time for each level; Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey. In addition, a Residential Project is required for the Gold level. With guidance from volunteer adult Award Leaders, each young person reflects upon their interests, abilities and ambitions as they set themselves challenges throughout the Sections. More than 700 adult volunteer leaders are actively involved in mentoring young people through their Award journey. The Award is designed to reward perseverance and inspire individual action through challenging, but non-competitive activities. On achieving an Award, participants would have developed many skills, behaviours and attitudes that equip them to succeed in life and work.
  • Voluntary Service Section

    Voluntary Service Section

  • Physical Recreation Section

    Physical Recreation Section

  • Skills Section

    Skills Section

  • Adventurous Journey Section

    Adventurous Journey Section

  • Gold Residential Project

    Gold Residential Project

Award Levels

Bronze

Between 14 and 24 years old

Minimum completion period of 6 months

Participants must complete the requirements of each section simultaneously

Silver

Between 15 and 24 years old

Minimum completion period of 6 months for Bronze Award holders and 12 months for non-Bronze Award holders

Participants must complete the requirements of each section simultaneously

Gold

Between 16 and 24 years old

Minimum completion period of 12 months for Silver Award holders and 18 months for non-Silver Award holders

Participants must complete the requirements of each section simultaneously

Award Section Requirements

Voluntary Service

At least 24 hours, spread over 3 months
At least 48 hours, spread over 6 months
At least 72 hours spread over 12 months

Physical Recreation

Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 3 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week.
Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 6 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week. Examples: Horse-riding, Netball, Rock-climing
Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 12 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week. Examples: Karate, Water-skiing, Soccer

Skills

Select an activity & show regular effort & improvement over 3 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week. Examples: Debating, Photography, Chess
Select an activity & show regular effort & improvement spread over 6 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week. Examples: Toastmasters, Sewing, Art
Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement spread over 12 months, averaging at least 1 hour per week. Examples: Learner’s Licence, Driver’s Licence, Dramatic Arts, Musical Instruments

Adventurous Journey

Undertake a journey with an agreed purpose over 2 consecutive days and 1 night in a group of no fewer than 4 peer equals, supervised and assessed by an experienced adult(s). 6 hours of planned activities per day. Accommodation in tents, trail huts or similar.
Undertake a journey with an agreed purpose over 3 consecutive days and 2 nights in a group of no fewer than 4 peer equals, supervised and assessed by an experienced adult(s). 7 hours of planned activities per day. Accommodation in tents, trail huts or similar.
Undertake a journey with an agreed purpose over 4 consecutive days and 3 nights in a group of no fewer than 4 peer equals, supervised and assessed by an experienced adult(s). 8 hours of planned activities per day. Accommodation in tents, trail huts or similar.

Gold Residential Project

Undertake a shared purposeful activity with people who are not your usual colleagues or friends, in an unfamiliar residential setting for at least 4 nights and 5 consecutive days.

Additional Requirements

A participant must do an additional 3 months in either Service, Physical Recreation or Skills.

Non-Bronze Award holders must do an additional 6 months in either Service, Physical Recreation or Skills.
Examples: Horse-riding, Netball, Rock-climbing

Non-Silver Award holders must do an additional 6 months in either Service, Physical Recreation or Skills. Examples: Karate, Water-skiing, Soccer

Award Journey

We shall acknowledge your activities as from your date of enrolment. You need to record your activities each time you do them; you can either use an electronic Online Record Book or a paper based Portfolio of Evidence. Your activity coaches need to sign off your activities.

Parent Information

Participating in the Award programme is an exciting journey for young people and their families. Through a strong yet flexible framework, your daughter or son can uniquely design their Award, choosing activities that spark their interest and challenge them to achieve great heights. You can play a vital role by providing support and encouragement as they work towards their goals.
Please note that parents CANNOT be activity coaches or assessors for any section of their child’s Award
It’s more than just an award; it looks good on university applications. It looks even better on CVs and resumes and sets them apart when in the work force. The Award gives youth an opportunity to talk about themselves in a non-academic way. The Award allows young people to document all of the activities they do outside of their formal education. The Award equips young people to become well-rounded responsible citizens; self-starters that are confident, resilient, team players and they learn various life skills such as leadership.
The Award equips young people for life and work, whether it is through new unique activities, meeting new people or exploring an unfamiliar environment. Your child is responsible for their development and setting their Award goals. As a parent/guardian you have a role to play in helping your daughter or son complete their Award.