The Award Sections:
Volunteering

"This section is based on the belief that members of a community have a responsibility to each other and that voluntary help is needed".*

The At a Glance leaflet says of this section that "You should identify the need for voluntary service, gain some knowledge of the needs of those whom you are assisting and then receive briefing and training in the skills required to give that service." Apart from the obvious benefit to the community, the volunteering section gives you many personal rewards such as appreciating the needs of others, understanding your personal strengths and weaknesses, trusting and being trusted and increasing your self-esteem.

If you are a Millennium Volunteer and have put in a minimum of 100 hours, then you will automatically be accredited for this section. For other ideas, look at the leaflet, or visit the Award website at www.dofe.org.

*Quotation and section benefits from The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award entrance pack.

Case Study - Chu-Hai Wong

Chu-Hai Wong joined the Award in September 2006. She describes her service section activity below:

"On Sundays I go to Chinese school for 2 hours, which is located at the Gaywood Community School. Things which I do: help the teacher with giving out books, occasionally marking homework and tests (except for my own!) and being a sort of prefect for break time eg making sure that people are not running in the corridors. In events such as school parties eg Chinese new year party and the Christmas party. I along with other senior students and teachers help to organise games, prizes, etc. For the Chinese new year party this year, we helped to sell raffle tickets in which all the money went to the Chinese school."

Chu-Hai goes on to describe the Chinese school in more detail: " I think there are about 6 classes with around 10-15 pupils in each, ranging from the toddler group (5-7) to our group (14-17). Each class has at least one teacher, usually two, they attend every school week voluntarily and are not paid to teach. All pupils have to pay a fee to attend the school (around £30 a year). I think the funds for the school books either comes from the headteacher or from the Chinese Association in West Norfolk where money is raised through festivals and events. Also textbooks are lent to the pupils for the school year, which are returned at the end of the year which significantly saves both parents/school money."

She explains that the lessons at the Chinese School reflect what students would have learned in Hong Kong up to a point. She helps as far as her knowledge of Chinese - and her AS level exams - allow.

The picture is from the Chinese New Year's party on 25th February 2007.