Duke of Edinburgh's Award
98.8% of 16-24 year olds use the internet and their terrific skills can be deployed to help off-liners benefit.
Race Online 2012 partner the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is putting the internet at the heart of the charity, believing that helping people online is a “fun and practical volunteering opportunity, whilst contributing to positive social change”.
It’s been driving this message through its newsletters, DofE magazine and social media channels to inspire its participants to get involved and help someone who’s off-line. The DofE newsletter alone reaches 21,000 people (leaders, participants and volunteers) and the September 2010 edition of its magazine DofE, which was distributed to 40,000 subscribers, included a double page spread entitled ‘Silver surfers to the rescue’, to inspire and inform Leaders why participants should help others get online for the Volunteering section of their award.
DofE also believes that all DofE participants should be able to use its website to enhance their DofE experience. With over 4,000 visitors every day, DofE sees it as a terrific trigger for those that aren’t online, as it enables participants to take access even more information and resources.
DofE’s next steps include giving another big push to its participants to become digital champs via eDofE, DofE News, Facebook, Twitter and its website and will also be calling out for success stories from groups and individuals who have helped others get online. Responses will help to create a batch of ‘digital’ themed stories to put up on its website and intranet, for staff to use in their regions and to encourage competition for the biggest successes to help inspire others.
DofE will also be creating an unconfirmed digital themed resource, to provide ideas on how participants can help people get online in their local area.
Recommendation 6.3
