The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in the South West has seen a record-breaking 23,687 young people start their DofE in 2016/17, the Charity’s Diamond Anniversary year.

This figure rose 7% from 2015/16, with more than 2,500 of these young people coming from a disadvantaged background.

Over the last five years, DofE in the South West has continued to go from strength to strength and the region has seen a 62% growth in young people starting their DofE.

A broad range of organisations across the region, including schools, academies, colleges, secure units and youth groups run the DofE. With their support, in 16/17 11,722 young people achieved a DofE Award, up 22% on 15/16.