Swindon teen chosen to advocate for young people

A Swindon teen is one of just 35 from across the UK chosen to advocate for young people as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Youth Ambassador.

Joe Lynam, 17, from Swindon wants to make his voice heard after being selected as a UK Youth Ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).  

Joe joins a cohort of just 35 DofE Award holders aged 16-24 from all over the UK, who will advocate for young people by sharing their expertise on key issues impacting them. Together, they will make young people’s voices heard by speaking at events, meeting key decision-makers in Parliament and beyond, and feeding into decisions to shape the direction of the DofE charity’s work. 

Joe, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, had his first flare-up during his Bronze Expedition, and had to complete the trek whilst feeling like he had "swallowed a knife”. He was diagnosed shortly afterwards and completed his Silver Expedition just two weeks after having an operation.  

Joe said: “I knew the Expedition would be difficult, but I wasn’t expecting quite so many obstacles! The DofE were able to accommodate me by giving me a reduced backpack, and the support I got from my group made it all worth it.” 

Joe is also a DofE Young Leader at his school, supporting younger students to achieve their Award. As part of his Gold Physical section, he went on hikes in the local area to help plan the Expedition routes for their Bronze Award.  

Joe said: “As a Youth Ambassador, I'm excited to give back to the DofE. My experience with DofE has been life-changing; it’s given me the opportunity to train in first aid and lifesaving. Working as a Young Leader has done wonders for my confidence, and my volunteering has helped me to discover my passion for teaching. Without DofE, I would be literally and figuratively lost in the woods.” 

A big fan of music, Joe has used his DofE Skill section to learn the drums and the steel pans and has joined bands and orchestras at his school. He compares the teamwork involved in playing with an orchestra to completing the Expedition: “everyone has their own part to play, but together it all builds up into one.” 

As a Youth Ambassador, Joe wants to develop his confidence and leadership skills. In the future, Joe would like to train as a secondary school teacher and continue his involvement with the DofE by becoming an official assessor. 

Funded by The Gosling Foundation, the Youth Ambassador programme puts young people front and centre as future leaders, involving them in shaping the DofE’s work to benefit other young people. 

DofE Youth Ambassadors have met Ministers and MPs, spoken at high-profile events such as party conferences and DofE Gold Award celebrations in Buckingham Palace Garden, represented the DofE at international forums and played a pivotal role feeding into key decisions across the charity. Joe has already started advocating for young people by attending this year’s Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, where he met with MPs and spoke at DofE events. 

Ashley Williams, UK Youth Engagement Manager at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said:  “Joe is one of many young people who have achieved incredible things through their DofE. As a charity, we’re determined to put young people at the heart of everything we do and to give them as many opportunities as we can to make a positive impact on the issues they care about – I am excited to see the positive impact our new cohort of Youth Ambassadors make this year.  

“It’s not an easy time to be a young person, with the ongoing after-effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis to contend with. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that all young people can access opportunities like the DofE, which let them have fun, grow their resilience and self-belief, and develop vital skills they can’t always get in the classroom.” 

To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose activities in four sections: improving a Physical and Skills activity, Volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding Expedition. Along the way they have fun, grow in resilience and self-belief, discover new talents and passions, and learn practical skills to help them in future – while working towards a highly respected Award.