About Awards Plus

Awards Plus, as Friends of the Award in Edinburgh and The Lothians to 2023, has been supporting Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participation for 25 years, along with many other youth and outdoor skills awards.

In particular, young people with no affiliation, needing some extra help at an individual level, from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds, or going through mental health difficulties, have been at the heart of its story.

Our expertise has helped make expeditions accessible for 1,000s of young people facing additional challenges. And partnering with NHS Lothian Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) since 2006 has put participation and achievement at the heart of mental health recovery for many.

‘Awards Plus’ means more than one award, it means progression and pathways, and it means extra help for those who could benefit.

Awards Plus -

Provides access to nature-based awards - youth awards with elements of enjoying, learning about and caring for nature.
Leads, trains, equips and supports Expeditions, primarily for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participation.
Provides 1:1 Mentoring support for young people experiencing mental health difficulties who are open to outdoor activity opportunities and youth awards involvement.
Runs an Open Programme of awards activity offers a rich mix of opportunities to meet individual interests.

Awards Plus is for young people who may need extra help to achieve through a range of youth awards. We want all young people to feel supported to fulfil their potential, regardless of barriers they may face. Working with individuals, youth groups and schools, we a focus on youth awards, nature connectedness, and expeditions support.

The reasons for establishing Friends of the Award in 1998 are no less valid now than they were then. It was set up to fill gaps in provision. To make sure that young people didn’t miss out. To look out for those not catered for, hard to reach, or in need of some extra help – for whatever reason.

Today, there is still a ‘poverty of opportunity’ for many young people. This is where Awards Plus – building on the track record of Friends of the Award – comes in.

Awards Plus –
new name, new look

Read about our name change to Awards Plus

Strategy

Awards Plus Strategy 2023-25 - building on a 25-year track record of supporting achievement in accessible, inclusive ways

25 Years Celebration

From 25 years of ‘Friends of the Award’ to ‘Awards Plus’

Awards Plus leaflets

Awards Plus (general)

1:1 Mentoring Support

Expeditions

Join in Award Scheme/JAS

The Join in Award Scheme, or JAS, is an entry level, self-guided, easy-to-use award to encourage, capture and recognise achievements. It’s ideal for ages 5-14 as well as older pupils with support needs and adults with learning difficulties, and for school, outdoor, home, youth work and residential settings. Proceeds support Awards Plus.

Resources

Visit the Resources page for Annual Accounts, Annual Reports and other company documents.