HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) charity, made an official visit to Peterborough on Thursday, 27 February to witness the positive impact the organization is having on young people and the community as a whole.
The day began at Boxing Futures, where The Duke observed a non-contact boxing demonstration and participated in a therapeutic talk session. DofE Award inspires young people from all walks of life to explore their identity, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. Participants can choose from a variety of activities and volunteer work to achieve a Bronze, Silver, or Gold DofE Award.
Boxing Futures offers the DofE through its Chatterbox program, which aims to re-engage young people with education, volunteering, or employment. During the visit, The Duke spoke with Tom Brett, a 21-year-old Chatterbox participant working towards his DofE Silver Award. Tom shared his journey and how Boxing Futures has helped him overcome his anxiety and social isolation. He said, “It was amazing to meet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh today and show him everything we’ve been achieving through our DofE. When I was younger, I struggled with controlling my anxiety, being antisocial, and not wanting to break out of my comfort zone.”
Through Boxing Futures, Tom found a sense of belonging and purpose. He added, “I feel like I’m moving towards something. It all feels rewarding, and then you have a community backing you, people in your corner. Whenever I’m with Boxing Futures, I feel accepted.” The DofE played a significant role in Tom’s transformation, and completing the residential portion was a major milestone as he had never stayed away from home before. He now volunteers at Boxing Futures and encourages other young people to pursue their DofE awards.
Boxing Futures’ psychotherapist Stefanie Radjenovic explained how their program combines talking therapy with non-contact boxing to fulfill the Physical and Skills section of the DofE Award. She said, “Participation in The DofE Award is a perfect fit for what we offer; it enables our young people to build positive, long-lasting friendships, learn about themselves and others, and build their confidence and self-reliance.” She also highlighted the impact of DofE in the community, as their participants have volunteered with organizations such as the British Heart Foundation, community gardens, and local sports projects.
The Duke also visited the Peterborough United Football Club and Railworld Wildlife Haven, where young people from two local schools – Hampton Secondary Academy and Ormiston Bushfield Academy – dedicate their time to complete their DofE Volunteering section. Jackie Bull, Director of UK Operations at The DofE Award, expressed her gratitude for The Duke’s visit, stating, “The young people The Duke has met in Peterborough today are a shining example of the life-changing impact the DofE can have on participants’ skills, resilience, and self-belief – and the amazing difference they make in their own communities.”
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