A teenager from Reading has spoken at a conference to share the enriching experience she has had in achieving a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Dora Abbi, 18, from Reading, attended the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton to speak about her experience as a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award participant.
Dora began her DofE journey at school in Year 9, not realising how it would change the trajectory of her life.
She found that the Volunteering section had the most impact on her, which involved supporting residents at a care home, helping at a local food bank and taking part in community engagement at the Royal Berkshire Hospital – starting on the hospital’s Youth Forum, then joining an advisory board on patient advocacy before becoming a governor representing young people, helping make a difference and speak up for those who were struggling to access care.
Dora spoke at an event hosted by the DofE organisation on Monday, September 21, which was attended by Munira Wilson MP, the Lib Dem spokesperson for Education, Children and Families and Ian Sollom MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Universities and Skills.
In her speech, Dora said: “Yes, DofE gave me the courage to go hiking, but DofE also gave me the courage to contribute in boardrooms, to advocate for the vulnerable and to start projects and fundraise.
“DofE has given me a purpose I never could have imagined. I am currently studying medicine hoping to develop health policy alongside improving care, inspired by my health volunteering.”
Dora did her DofE through the Berkshire Youth organisation and credits the Award for inspiring her to become a UN Millennium Fellow.
She was named a DofE Youth Ambassador this summer and was one of two DofE Youth Ambassadors to attend the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.
The DofE charity also has a presence at this year’s Labour, Conservative, Reform UK and Green Party conferences, giving young people the opportunity to share their insights and experiences with high-level decision makers, helping them have their say on the issues that affect their lives.
Commenting on her involvement at the Lib Dem conference, Dora said: “Change is needed now. Now more than ever, where young people face crises in employment, mental health and isolation. We need the right people, in the right places at the right time to drive change together – that includes policy makers, businesses, schools and young people themselves.”
The organisation is campaigning for 80 hours a year of high-quality enrichment for every young person in school and college, which Dora backs.
The DofE has helped over 8.8 million young people in the UK build essential skills, resilience and lifelong self-belief since it was established 70 years ago.
Over the next five years, the charity wants to support two million more young people to start a lifechanging DofE Award, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in life and work.
