Achieving a Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award is a big deal.  It involves a lot of hard word and dedication but for those who do achieve it, it is a rewarding experience, culminating in an invitation to a celebration event at a Royal Palace, attended by a Member of The Royal Family.

For Hannah Mohsen, OH 2006-16, she started her DofE journey while at Hymers College.  She completed her Silver Award at school and started the next phase to achieve the Gold.  Unfortunately, due to illness, she was not able to complete it during her time at Hymers, but this was not to put Hannah off.  Not giving up, she continued on her quest of achieving it and was recently rewarded for her efforts at a celebration ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Hannah went to one of four celebrations that were held in May for approximately 8,000 young people who have shown extraordinary perseverance, creativity and resilience to complete their Gold DofE in schools, community organisations, youth groups and workplaces, all over the UK.  On Monday 13 May 2024, Hannah attended the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, hosted by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who received his own Gold Award from his father Prince Philip at nearby St James’s Palace in 1986.  He congratulated the attendees in a speech from the Palace’s West Terrace.

To gain her Gold Award, Hannah had to complete five sections of a DofE programme; Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition, and as a Gold participant, a Residential section.  It takes at least 12 months to achieve, if like Hannah, you’ve already achieved your Silver Award and involves volunteering for 12 months, completing the physical and skills sections (one section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months), and an expedition lasting 4 days/3 nights.  The residential section is to undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.

I completed my Silver while at school, and then started on my Gold.  I attempted my Gold expedition after Year 13, but unfortunately due to illness was unable to complete it that time.  I then completed the expedition during my first year of university.

DofE gave me the opportunity to try a number of new activities including volunteering at the Riding for Disabled in the area, and then travelling to Mexico with Projects Abroad for my residential, assisting with Turtle Conservation.

Well done, Hannah! What an amazing achievement!

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