Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
BBNI has partnered with The Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) award since its formation in 1956. Over 500,000 young people across the UK participate in the DofE award. Designed to empower young people, it supports them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, build confidence, and develop resilience. The DofE is a recognised award and BBNI is proud to be a licensed organisation that offers DofE as part of the BBNI programme.
Within the DofE Award there are 4 sections for Bronze and Silver and for Gold there are 5 sections. The Award is aligned to The Boys’ Brigade Queen’s Badge. The DofE Silver Award has a similar structure to the Queen’s Badge and is split into 4 key areas: volunteering, physical, skills, and expedition.
Why Should My BB Company Do the Award?
Duke of Edinburgh offers opportunities for young people to grow and thrive, but it also offers clear benefits for your company. DofE can deliver:
- Leadership skills
- Problem solving skills
- It can help with retention of company and Seniors
- It can help attract new members to your company
Getting Started
Are you considering Duke of Ed as part of your BB programme?
- Interested in DofE and want to chat more about what’s involved with the Award? Complete this form.
- Register your BB Company for DofE
- Register your BB leaders for DofE
Running the Award
- Run DofE
- Order Participation Places
- Borrow Camping Equipment for Expeditions
- Enquire about Funded Participation Places
- Expedition Notification Process
- Expedition Notification Form
- Expedition Guide (available to buy from DofE)
- DofE Participant Enrolment Form for Company Use
- DofE Expedition Assessor Contact Form
Supporting you through the Award
- BBNI Staff Team: 028 92 688444 or hello@boysbrigadeni.org
- DofE NI Team: 028 9069 9100 or nireland@DofE.org
Completing the Award
- When a young person completes an Award, leaders don’t need to do anything else to request badges or certificates. The BBNI staff team will monitor completions regularly and will send badges and certificates for Bronze and Silver Awards to Captains/Company Correspondent.
- Gold Awards are handled by DofE.
Celebrating the Award
- Displays & Parent’s Nights – We would love to see you celebrating Bronze, Silver & Gold at your annual display or parents’ night.
- Gold Celebration – We would love you to share your experiences at your Gold Award celebration event on social media.
- Socials – For Facebook Tag @BoysbrigadeNI and @DofENorthernIreland. Use the hashtags #BBNI #DofENI #CelebrateWithDofE
Completing my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award with BB has been great. The effort put in by our leaders meant we were really well prepared.
Daniel, 1st Ballyclare