The Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award is about having a go. You take part in a variety of activities, but they are not exams and you can't fail. Taking part is a great way of making friends and experiencing exciting and challenging things and gaining a great sense of achievement.

You can learn lots of new skills, improve your fitness and take part in expeditions and adventure activities. A DofE Award also looks good on your CV and can be useful when applying for educational courses and jobs.

It's is open to anyone aged 14 to 25 years old. You don't need special qualifications, just a bit of enterprise and determination.

You complete a choice of activities under four headings, on average for about an hour a week:

• volunteering – helping individuals or the community
• skills – hobbies and interests
• physical – sport, dance and fitness
• expeditions – planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.

There are three levels:

• bronze – 14 years old and over
• silver – 15 years old and over
• gold – 16 years old and over.

At gold level you also chose a residential activity. It's up to you what you do. It could be something entirely new or you could continue with an activity you already enjoy, you decide.

It takes at least six months to do a Bronze or Silver Award and at least 12 months for a Gold Award.

Lots of youth clubs, schools, colleges, open award centres and voluntary youth groups run the DofE Award across the county.

For more information about taking part please email The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

You can also find out more about the Award on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award website.