We’re excited to announce that the MLC has recently been awarded the status of a fully Licensed Organisation (LO) in order to deliver the entire Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).
This exciting opportunity enables participants to register with us so that we can support them through all sections of the Award, and across all three levels.
Paul Hose, Chief Executive at the MLC, commented:
“We are delighted to be one of the first creative organisations to offer these prestigious Awards, enabling young participants with a creative flair to explore new challenges and opportunities. We anticipate this will widen the participation for those wanting to achieve a DofE with a particular focus within the Arts.”
What is the DofE?
A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Skills could include instrumental/vocal lessons, group courses on one of our music-centred pathways, DJ or Music Production.
There are a lot of other activities going on at the MLC that can count for the other sections too. The key is that young people are able to carry out the activity for an average of an hour a week over a set number of months.
Volunteering could include charity performances, helping deliver community music workshops, or becoming a teaching assistant.
Physical could include engaging in a music centred physical activity, combining the joy of music with physical exercise such as dance classes, circuit training or yoga.
The Expedition will include working in teams and involves location/field recording, foley, rehearsals, equipment rigging and live outdoor performances.
For the Residential at Gold level, participants must do an additional Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home doing a shared activity.
Who’s the DofE for?
Any young person (aged 14-24) can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.
The DofE licenses organisations that work with young people to run DofE programmes, such as schools, colleges, youth groups and clubs. Through the Licensed Organisation (LO) young people (or their parents / carers) pay for a Participation Place and are supported by Leaders who support them through their programmes, helping them to choose their activities, set their objectives and achieve their Award.
Want to get involved?
All programmes that support young people need adult support, and the DofE is no exception. MLC Teachers can support young people through the Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections. Parents may have a variety of skills that they can offer, such as teaching first aid or teaching cooking for the expedition. Some may be able to help with driving minibuses, others by raising funds.
With MLC taking on the running of the DofE both young people and adults in our Collective can benefit. The DofE recognises the achievements of young people both in and out of the creative arena, gives them a nationally recognised certificate of achievement and supports them in gaining lifelong skills. Adults gain a sense of satisfaction from supporting young people to achieve their goals and objectives.
Register Your Interest Now!
Beginning in January 2025, we intend to start offering the Bronze Award, with other levels following shortly. Places are limited so if you or your child are interested in getting involved with the DofE through us, please fill in the enquiry form below, selecting ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ from the Instrument dropdown, and one of our Advisors will be in touch.
