AN inspirational teenage girl from Bradford has been selected as a youth ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award charity (DofE).   

Tryphene Landa, 16, joins a cohort of just 35 DofE Award holders aged 16-24 from all over the UK, who will advocate for young people by sharing their expertise on key issues impacting them.

Together, they will make young people’s voices heard by speaking at events, meeting key decision-makers in Parliament and beyond.

Tryphene, who completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through Ralph Thoresby High School in Holt Park, Leeds, said: “The biggest challenge for me was trying tennis, which was a new sport for me.

“Although it was scary at first, it taught me that DofE isn’t just about doing activities that you’re already comfortable with, it’s also about trying something completely new.”

As a Youth Ambassador, Tryphene plans to encourage all women of colour to take part in the DofE, adding: “One issue that affects my generation and people like me is misogynoir - sexism specifically targeted at black women.

“I want to show young people like me what they can achieve against the odds. I will use my platform to encourage all women of colour to take part in the DofE to learn new skills and meet new people.”

To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose their own activities to complete physical, skills, and volunteering sections, as well as an expedition and a residential at Gold level.

They have fun, discover new passions, give back to their communities, grow in resilience and self-belief and develop vital skills employers value – while working towards a widely-recognised and respected award.

Ashley Williams, UK Youth Engagement Manager at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Tryphene is one of many young people who have achieved incredible things through their DofE.

"As a charity, we’re determined to put young people at the heart of everything we do and to connect them with opportunities to make a positive impact on the issues they care about.

“As they navigate the ongoing after-effects of the pandemic and a severe cost-of-living crisis, it’s more vital than ever that all young people get access to opportunities like the DofE, which let them have fun, grow their resilience and self-belief, and develop vital skills they can’t always get in the classroom.”