Leaders and participants of the Duke of Edinburgh Award met the Earl of Wessex, when he visited Colebrooke Park as part of the charity’s Diamond Anniversary celebrations.

The Earl of Wessex met with the Award scheme and Joint Award Initiative Leaders as part of a tour to see first-hand the difference the charity makes to young people and communities in Northern Ireland.

Since its founding in 1956, the DofE has helped to transform the lives of millions of young people in the UK and across the globe, offering 14-24 year olds a unique opportunity to gain valuable life experience while developing essential employability skills. 

The Joint Award Initiative (JAI) enables young people who meet the conditions of the DofE programme to choose a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award or a Gaisce – The President’s Award Certificate. Over 8,000 young people sign up to take part each year. 

Around 100 leaders from across Northern Ireland, including some from Fermanagh attended the reception to recognise the impact these leaders have on young people’s lives and thank them for their support for the programme.

Rory Dumigan, who has been delivering the Joint Award Initiative for four years commented: “Each year I see so many young people developing key skills through the challenges they set themselves on their programme. I never imagined I would be recognised for doing something that I get such enjoyment from, and a great sense of achievement in helping the young people achieve their potential.

It is a great surprise and humbling. I love helping set these young people down the path to self discovery and I would encourage more people to get involved with the DofE/JAI, it’s incredibly rewarding.”