It has been a challenging year, for despite the huge progress made in fundraising, partnerships, and direct work with young people, we did lose some valued staff.  

This is a reflection of life. Things change. We have to adapt. Seek opportunity out of adversity. Be resilient. Be there for each other. Be compassionate. Be tolerant. Be caring. The very elements that we seek to develop in the young people we work with. 

And I believe that this is what our staff, volunteers and Trustees have demonstrated. And it is what our young people are doing too, which is why they are such an inspiration to us. 

There are so many people to thank for our team of supporters is growing all the time. 

Catherine Drummond Herdman for continuing to support us and give us the use of her amazing estate. And for her wise and supportive words. 

Our staff team who now include two young people, Kayleigh and Will. You all make a very , very special group of people. You are there for each other, there for the young folk, and your belief in the work you do is felt by every young person we work with. You make a difference to their lives. Thank you, each and every one of you, operations and business staff, for the work you do. 

Thanks to the Trustees. This has not been an easy year for the Board but together we have weathered some stormy moments, have kept the boat moving safely forward, and we now have earned the chance, together with the staff and volunteers, to open up new experiences to the young people we are here for. Thank you for holding fast, and moving together towards implementing our combined strategy. 

Our small but growing band of volunteers. What a huge difference you make. The garden is a beautiful, fruitful, and cared for environment because of your efforts. And you serve as role models to the young people who witness the care you show towards the environment and each other. Thank you. 

Our trusted partners are growing in number. But the Gannochy Trust and Robertson Trust have been the foundations and the springboard to make what we do possible. Thank you for being there for us and supporting and encouraging and providing the core finances without which we would struggle to do the work we are doing. And, of course, Perth and Kinross Council. The “umbrella’ you provide for our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award work is invaluable.  

Finally, the people who we exist for . The young people we work with are truly amazing. One young man recently said to me about a member of staff – “she fixed me”. My reply was that he had fixed himself – with the help of the member of staff. We are helping young people fix themselves. We are making a difference. And also to the parents that care for and love them. Priceless. 

Robin Illsley, Chair
February 2023 

At a conference that I attended many years ago the main presenter spoke of “the smiling eyes of the teacher”. I have never forgotten those words and often reflect on their importance. At the time, it was spoken in reference to school teachers but, of course, we are all teachers. We all have an impact on those around us and after the last 12 months I am remembering those words again.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Perth and Kinross Association staff and volunteers have worked magnificently over the last 12 months to ensure that all the young people we had contact with prior to the lockdowns and inhibitions of COVID 19 have been fully supported throughout and have engaged in confidence, fun and hope building activities. More than that, we have managed to reach out to greater numbers across Perth and Kinross through online mentoring, the development of an extensive range of challenges on our newly created Distance Learning Hub, and the provision of physical resources. And while doing all of this we have developed the infrastructure and systems to get us outside again as soon as national and Council guidelines permit.

Our staff most certainly have “the smiling eyes” that young people need so much. They care about the young people we support, they demonstrate “correct compassion”, they build strong and appropriate relationships, they never give up, and their commitment to our work and journey together is superb.

We are all teachers and we are all learners too. Throughout our lives. This is what makes our work and journey together so enriching. The parents, the carers, our partners, our funders, our Trustees, our volunteers and our staff – all are striving to bring encouragement, support, achievement, ambition and belief into the lives of as many young people as we can. And in return, they inspire us and enrich our lives too.

Thank you all for the contributions you make. As this report demonstrates, they are massive and for many, life changing.

Robin Illsley, Chair

This is a year that has demonstrated the fantastic work undertaken by the participants, volunteers, and employees of the Association. A year in which we have supported ever increasing numbers of young people to take up the challenge and experience the amazing sense of achievement and wellbeing generated by working towards a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

It has been a year where we were forced to adapt our ways of working because of the restrictions of COVID-19, and in doing so, helped and encouraged young people to remarkable feats, for which they should be very proud.

Out of adversity has come opportunity, and we believe that we have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a commitment that has left us well placed to expand our work in the years ahead. Our outcomes are particularly focused on helping young people who face significant barriers in their lives. We want to help these young people feel achievement; to believe in themselves; and to have real ambitions, dreams, and expectations for the future. We hope that our Annual Impact Report demonstrates the positive outcomes of our work.

I would like to thank our funders, supporters, partners, volunteers, and employees for all that they do. Without them we could not continue our life-changing work, and to our young people – you are all brilliant.

Together we are making a difference.

Robin Illsley, Chair