Going for Gold
Josh, 20, did his Gold DofE Award at Derwen College, a specialist college offering students with learning difficulties and disabilities the opportunity to learn vocational and independence skills. The only thing between Josh and his Gold DofE Award success was his expedition – a challenge that nearly got the better of him. But he persevered and got his Gold!
Josh took part in the DofE’s Photographers Without Limits project which aims to raise the voice of young people from marginalised backgrounds by giving them the skills and experience to tell their own stories through pictures. He’s always been into cameras and says that he loved learning new skills such as blurring backgrounds and learning how to zoom in and out.
Josh says the DofE is all about trying new activities and having fun. He says a lack of confidence and nerves means things like shopping or travelling alone can be a challenge for him but, since he started his Gold, he’s been able to meet and overcome some of those challenges thanks to the communication skills, confidence and independence he’s learned through his DofE.
Derwen College DofE Leader, James, shows Josh's DofE group the map for their assessed expedition.
Derwen College DofE Leader, James, shows Josh's DofE group the map for their assessed expedition.
A game to match Ordnance Survey map symbols with their meaning.
A game to match Ordnance Survey map symbols with their meaning.
Heather and Molly from Josh's DofE Gold group learning different OS map symbols.
Heather and Molly from Josh's DofE Gold group learning different OS map symbols.
A close-up of the Ordnance Survey map for Josh's assessed expedition.
A close-up of the Ordnance Survey map for Josh's assessed expedition.
Josh prepares his kit for his Gold DofE practice expedition.
He checks his cutlery and food provisions ready for his expedition.
His group get off the bus as they arrive for their first day of the practice expedition in South Shropshire.
Sunlight catches the cobwebs on a wood pile.
Wild foxgloves grow in the South Shropshire hills, which is a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty.
Josh's Gold DofE team walk up a track in South Shropshire.
"I like photographing all sorts. If I go out for walks I usually take lots of pictures, particularly in the summer. I love the light in the evenings, I love sunsets.”
Molly and Heather from Josh's DofE group walk up a steep hill.
Molly and Heather from Josh's DofE group walk up a steep hill.
They light the trangia to cook dinner for their first night.
They light the trangia to cook dinner for their first night.
Meatballs for dinner.
Meatballs for dinner.
Josh's Gold DofE team walk up a track in South Shropshire.
Josh's Gold DofE team walk up a track in South Shropshire.
Josh sits around the campfire.
Josh sits around the campfire.
He toasts marshmallows.
He toasts marshmallows.
“I’ve always been into cameras so when I was asked to apply to this course, I thought it sounded great. They gave me a big, professional camera, which I love, and I’ve learned how to blur the background in pictures and how to zoom in and out. I love photographing all sorts. If I go out on walks, I usually take lots of pictures, particularly in the summer as I love the light in the evenings.”
The light through the trees looks dramatic as it shines through smoke from the campfire.
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