Julia Lewis DofE Leader receives Royal recognition

Julia is one of a small group of people worldwide to be congratulated for their outstanding support for young people through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

To mark International Volunteer Day on Sunday 5 December, a Churston DofE Leader has received Royal recognition for their exceptional dedication to supporting young people to do their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). 

Julia has run the DofE at Churston Ferrers Grammar School for 20 years and involved with DofE for 33 years, giving young people the chance to take on challenges, discover new skills and passions and develop their confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Julia is one of a small group of volunteers to receive a personal letter of commendation from HRH The Earl of Wessex – a DofE Trustee – and a special commemorative coin marking the life and legacy of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the DofE’s patron. The coins have been donated by The Royal Mint.

The 50 coin recipients, including Julia, were selected to reflect some of the different roles, successes and activities on behalf of more than 45,000 people delivering DofE across the UK. Many have given decades to supporting young people, while others have gone above and beyond to make sure young people can continue their DofE despite personal challenges or the effects of the pandemic.   

The DofE’s CEO Ruth Marvel said: “If young people are the heart of our organisation, volunteers are the lungs, breathing life into our programmes, changing the lives of young people so that they have the confidence and resilience to deal with whatever life might have in store.  

“At a time when so many young people are facing unprecedented challenges, DofE volunteers are instrumental in helping them to regain a sense of purpose, possibility and control over their futures. Thank you to everyone in the DofE volunteer family who has helped support so many young people through the most difficult of times.”