Welcome to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award to Bulgaria

Yesterday, I took part with the President in the official launch of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Scheme in Bulgaria. This was not just an offical duty, but a personal pleasure too, because from the age of 14- 18, at school, I participated in the Scheme. The lessons I learned then stay with me now.

As a participant, you need self-discipline. You need to set goals, and reach them. In doing so, you are supported by a mentor, but it is for you, and you alone, to achieve. I went swimming to build my fitness. I learned to sail, as a new skill. I volunteered to support school-children in an under-privileged part of my home town.

When I look back, though, the really strong memories are of the expeditions – the “adventure journeys”. In my case, I was part of a group that took on some challenging, long hikes, carrying all our food, tents and equipment. We battled blisters, heatwaves, horizontal rain and swamps. We pushed ourselves hard.

We also had to work out how to fit together. We overcame personality clashes and arguments. We had to ensure that the least fit in our group could make it, and look out for each other. Despite all the hardships, we made it through to elation and achievement.

The Award is – rightly – highly prized by employers in the UK and in other parts of the world, and I am sure in time this will also be the case in Bulgaria. A young jobseeker with a “D of E” in their back pocket has already proved they have commitment, stamina, team-working ability, and problem-solving skills. They have also proved they can achieve the targets they set themselves.

The Award offers a great opportunity for partnership between business, which can actively support young people and will reap the rewards in the quality of their workforce, and the charitable sector, which relies on volunteers both to deliver services but also to spread the word about the work they do.

If I could summarise the Award in a sentence, it would be “get up off your chair, get out and go do things you never realised you could”.

I am delighted to support the efforts in making The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Bulgaria a success.