Evie shares her experiences as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award UK Youth Ambassador
Vandyke Upper School student Evie applied to become a UK Youth Ambassador in April 2025. Following a rigorous application process, she found out in May that she was one of just 31 young people from around the UK selected to participate in the programme.
Evie has been reflecting on her first nine months as a DofE UK Youth Ambassador, and sharing some of her amazing experiences.
“After spending Year 12 volunteering as a DofE Young Leader at Vandyke, helping the Bronze participants with their award, I applied to become a UK Youth Ambassador in April 2025. This involved answering questions about my own award journey and how I would use this opportunity if I were successful, and filming a video of myself giving a presentation.
“I was told in May that I had been selected as one of just 31 young people from around the UK to participate in the programme. Following this, I took part in a welcome session and attended public speaking training with Alina Jenkins, who has worked as a presenter for the BBC. I have also received social media training as part of this role with the DofE team.
“So far, I’ve had lots of amazing opportunities. In September, I attended an evening in Chester hosted by Westminster Youth Foundation, focusing on co-creation and youth involvement in business. I joined an online session hosted by inspirational speaker Darren Edwards in October, and have received a signed copy of his book. Later in October, I travelled to Manchester for a team building day - we started off working with artist Jenny Leonard, then spent the afternoon taking on “The Cube”, modelled on the TV show.
“I had two events in November - a ‘Beyond the CV’ day at Google Headquarters, then a COP event at Kew Gardens, hosted by Mete Coban, the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy and Richard Deverell, the Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Taking place whilst COP30 ran in Brazil, this day was aimed at considering challenges facing the climate, from socioeconomic barriers to increasing biodiversity. Personal highlights included meeting Damon Gameau, an Australian filmmaker, and filming some social media snippets for Kew and the DofE.
“More recently, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Jenny again, and attended a Youth Engagement Focus Group with Steph Price, the director of DofE Wales. This was to re-evaluate the current youth strategy - ‘Youth Without Limits’ - and to explore how to make the award more accessible for an even wider audience moving forward. I will also be representing the DofE at the National Outdoor Expo in March, and helping to present a panel.
“One of the opportunities I’m looking forward to the most is travelling to Buckingham Palace for the Gold presentation days. I will be there both as a Youth Ambassador, and as a Gold Award holder.”
Vandyke Upper School are incredibly proud of Evie and her fantastic achievements - she’s an inspiring ambassador for both Vandyke and the DofE Awards!