Natalie’s Duke of Edinburgh Success

7 March 2022

Natalie Pegg has worked with Cheshire East Youth Support Service for many years. Natalie attended the North Youth Support Service ( YSS ) Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ( SEND ) Duke of Edinburgh ( DoE ) group on a Tuesday night to complete the full award. When Natalie joined the group, she felt it was difficult to mix with other young people and take part in a group scenario. Since then, with support from the YSS she has completed her bronze, silver, and gold awards. Whilst completing her own awards Natalie has been a great support to other young people that have come across challenges when completing their award. Natalie was lucky enough to complete her gold expedition pre-lockdown but was waiting for her certificates to arrive and was invited to the Palace.

Natalie said “I have been coming to the Youth Support Service for a long time, at least 10 years for support, and I have worked with lots of workers, and they have helped me achieve so much. I have done lots of groups but settled in the Duke of Edinburgh group. I met lots of new friends and built my confidence, I really enjoyed doing my bronze, silver, and gold awards. I really didn’t enjoy camping at first, but I began to enjoy them especially meeting other workers and young people from different areas e.g., Handforth, Congleton and Crewe. I really enjoyed the canoeing and happy the workers encouraged to do it and overcome my fears. I am really proud of myself and happy to have achieved my awards. I am hoping to volunteer to support more young people to complete their awards at Macclesfield Youth Hub”.

For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh scheme please visit the Cheshire East Youth Support Service online, call 01270 686 923 or email the team.