Hundreds of young achievers from across the UK had a date in the prestigious setting of St. James's Palace on February 5, including Jennifer Care, the new project manager at Pembroke 21C Community Interest Company.

Jennifer travelled to London on to receive her gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award certificate from trustee and gold award holder HRH The Earl of Wessex.

The gold award presentation is a celebration and recognition of Jennifer's achievements in completing her Gold DofE programme. This unique event is a fitting culmination to mark the hard work, determination and perseverance required.

Jennifer worked tirelessly through the five sections of her DofE programme over 18 months to achieve her gold award. Her diverse activities included swimming, award leadership - helping bronze DofE groups to gain their award, and a residential course where she learnt coppice crafts. Through her DofE, Jennifer was able to prove herself to be creative, reliable, supportive and a good team member.

Jennifer said of her experience: "The DofE Award gave me memorable experiences, especially of activities, such as my expedition in the Lake District, which I may not otherwise have done.

"It provided an opportunity to help others, through my volunteering with the Award Leadership Scheme, and has increased my confidence in my own abilities.

"This has proved invaluable in both work and volunteer situations since. I would recommend doing a DofE Award to any young person."

These experiences show what an impact doing your DofE can have and how it can develop the skills needed for life.

Jennifer's gold award helped her obtain her current role as the new project manager at Pembroke 21C Community Interest Company, which, together with Pembroke 21C Community Association offers volunteering opportunities which can count towards a DofE Award.

These include establishing and maintaining a small community garden, practical conservation work, helping older people increase their IT skills and helping with administration, customer service and social and fundraising events.

For more information about these volunteering opportunities, please contact Jennifer at [email protected]">[email protected] or David Wall at [email protected]">[email protected]

Anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a bronze, silver or gold DofE award.

For information about getting involved with the DofE award in Pembrokeshire ,please contact Dave Sommerville at [email protected]">[email protected]