As a DofE volunteer, you’ll write and send letters through our Donate A Letter programme. For your DofE Award, 1 letter = 1 hour of volunteering. We ask volunteers to write 4 letters each month, which counts as 4 hours of volunteering.

Your letters don't need to be long or perfect. What matters is taking the time to write something thoughtful, positive and personal for someone who may be going through a difficult time.

As part of your volunteering, we also ask that you support From Me to You through fundraising - you can find the minimum amount for each level below.

There are lots of ways you can fundraise, and every pound raised helps us continue supporting people living with cancer through the power of letter writing.

How does it work?

Bronze

Volunteering period: 3 months.
Number of hours: 12.
Letters needed: 12

Amount to raise: £25

Our 4 Step Process

Step 1: Sign Up

Complete our volunteer sign-up form. Make sure you clearly state that you are a DofE student and include your DofE ID number if you have one. This allows us to identify you as a DofE volunteer and keep track of your progress.

Step 2: Set up your Just Giving Page & Write your First Letter

Write your first letter and send it to us. At the same time, set up your JustGiving fundraising page and send us the link so we can check that everything is set up correctly.

Step 3: Start Your Volunteering & Fundraising

The number of letters you need to write, and amount you need to raise, depends on your DofE Award - as above! 

Step 4: Get Signed Off

When you have finished your volunteering, there are two things we need from you before we can sign you off:

• We must have all of your letters logged in our system - if letters do not reach us, we cannot sign you off.

• Once you have completed your fundraising, donate the money to us via the link on our website. Please clearly state that the donation is a part of your award, so we can match it to your volunteering record.

Once we have both of the above, we’ll sign you off!

1. Tell us you are a DofE student

When you sign up, you must clearly state that you are volunteering as part of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (and ideally include your D of E ID number!). This is important because we need to know that you're a DofE volunteer so we can keep track of your letters and support your sign-off.

2. Don't leave your sign-off until the last minute

You must allow at least one month between sending your final letter and your DofE sign-off deadline. We need time to receive and process your final letters, update your volunteering record and complete your sign-off. Please do not send your final letter a few days before your deadline and expect an immediate sign-off. Plan ahead and make sure your final letter reaches us at least one month before your DofE deadline.

3. If you do not meet our requirements to complete the level, we cannot sign you off.

Perhaps an obvious one! We understand that things can happen that are outside your control. If something has gone wrong, please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can understand what has happened and see what we can do.

However, please do not assume that we can make exceptions to the requirements. We will generally only be able to sign you off once you have completed the required volunteering and we have received the necessary letters.

If you have any issues, please email us.