ROYAL RECOGNITION FOR DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD VOLUNTEER TERRY GASKIN

The Isle of Wight College’s DofE Manager, Terry Gaskin, has received Royal recognition for his exceptional dedication to supporting young people to do their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Terry has run the DofE at The Isle of Wight College for the past 10 years and has been involved with the DofE for over 28 years, giving young people the chance to take on challenges, discover new skills and passions and develop their confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Terry is one of a small group of volunteers to receive a personal letter of commendation from HRH The Earl of Wessex – a DofE Trustee – and a special commemorative coin marking the life and legacy of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the DofE’s patron. The coins have been donated by The Royal Mint.

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The 50-coin recipients were selected to reflect some of the different roles, successes and activities on behalf of more than 45,000 people delivering DofE across the UK. Many have given decades to supporting young people, while others have gone above and beyond to make sure young people can continue their DofE despite personal challenges or the effects of the pandemic.

Terry has said:

“I’m in awe of some of these kids when it comes to volunteering, they put themselves out there in hospices, hospitals, schools, charity shops and fundraising they’ve got so much to offer, I am very proud of them.

“DofE gives them something for their CV, a sense that they can achieve something. I get a real sense of satisfaction that a young person has learned and achieved, an opportunity they may not have had elsewhere. The DofE award is achievable by any young person who chooses to take up its challenge, regardless of ability, gender, background or location, every section of a DOE programme gives young people an opportunity to be independent, self-sufficient and to be challenged as an individual, whether they have a disability, other issues.

“I know DofE has helped a lot of people into university, the volunteering especially shows a level of commitment. I have seen DofE help young people get jobs, it can be the one extra thing they have on their CV that makes them stand out. So many people know about DofE, many of those interviewing for jobs will have done DofE themselves.

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“I’m very proud of anyone who supports the DofE, so much admiration for all the adults and leaders who gives their time and effort to support this wonderful organisation. I don’t think the Duke can have realised just how far the awards would go when he started them, but his foresight has done so much for so many young people in this country.”

The DofE’s CEO, Ruth Marvel, has said:

“If young people are the heart of our organisation, volunteers are the lungs, breathing life into our programmes, changing the lives of young people so that they have the confidence and resilience to deal with whatever life might have in store.

“At a time when so many young people are facing unprecedented challenges, DofE volunteers are instrumental in helping them to regain a sense of purpose, possibility and control over their futures. Thank you to everyone in the DofE volunteer family who has helped support so many young people through the most difficult of times.”