Norfolk Challenge Award

The Norfolk Challenge Awards follow on from the successful Awards programme introduced to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Norfolk Challenge Awards recognise people (mainly the 10-13 age but open to anyone) who are contributing in some way to the Norfolk community. They have been developed in conjunction with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme to encourage young people to challenge themselves and support this wonderful county.

Successful applicants will receive the Norfolk Challenge Award Badge and Certificate.

Each participant or group of participants should complete the four challenges below, deciding for themselves what each challenge will be, thus ensuring that this Award programme is for anyone and everyone. By setting their own challenges, participants will gain self-reliance, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement while celebrating the county of Norfolk.

If you are volunteering as part of the Challenge Award you can also use your volunteering hours to gain a FLOURISH Youth Award for volunteering and participation. Delivered by Voluntary Norfolk the award recognises and celebrate the volunteering achievements of young people in Norfolk. Find out more here Flourish Youth Awards for Volunteering and Participation | Voluntary Norfolk

With thanks to all those who are making this Award programme possible, especially the Red Sock Charitable Trust, we encourage entries from across the county based on our principles we have established: for the young and young at heart; inclusive; caring for and celebrating our county.

Being active in Norfolk

This challenge encourages any aspect of physical activity or wellbeing that participants wish to take on, from early years play through to sponsored walks or outdoor gyms

Examples:

Taking part in a walk or a cycle ride
Organising an outdoor session of yoga
A beach run or visit
Putting on a performance or show
Taking part in Park Run or a 1-mile event – or whatever distance is a challenge for the participant

Protecting our environment

This challenge is about how we look after our County and support our Monarch to protect the environment locally and for the UK as a whole by recycling, reusing and reducing our waste as well as rewilding and improving where we live — or any form of community volunteering.

Examples:

Rewilding areas
Protecting insects
Planting wildflowers
Organising a litter pick and recycling

Learning legacy

This challenge is about any aspect of new learning that a participant undertakes, from learning a new language to finding out more about the history of Norfolk and its people past and present.

Examples:

Visiting a historic site or building in Norfolk
Learning a new language such as sign language
Finding out more about King Charles III or Nelson
Learning a new technique or way of working such as in Art
Learning a new skill, for example building a website

Celebrating Norfolk/your community

We encourage people to take part in any Norfolk-related event or to organise their own – or simply celebrate your community.

Examples:

Organising a party – to celebrate Norfolk Day, a family anniversary, a special day in Norfolk’s history
Making an artefact
Painting a picture
Writing a song
Making a video

FAQs

What is the Norfolk Challenge Award?

The Norfolk Challenge Award is all about supporting the young at heart to challenge themselves and grow, while having fun. It recognises effort, determination, and a willingness to try something new, whether that’s developing a skill, building confidence, helping others, working towards a personal goal or taking part in some county celebration.

Who can apply?

The Award is open to anybody and everybody who’s young or young at heart and lives in or near the county of Norfolk.

What do you mean by “challenge”?

A challenge is something that pushes you a little outside your comfort zone. It should be meaningful to you and require commitment and effort.
We ask you to complete a personal challenge in each of four categories:
· Being active in Norfolk
· Protecting our environment
· A learning legacy
· Celebrating Norfolk/your community
There’s no “one size fits all” challenge in each category – what matters is that it’s right for you. We want anyone and everyone to set their own challenges and enjoy the satisfaction of rising to each of the challenges.

Do I have to enter or register before completing the challenges?

No – you just enter once you have completed your four challenges. The entry process is via this website.
Whether you enter by yourself, or as part of a group, just get a responsible adult (maybe your teacher, your leader or a parent) to confirm that you have completed the challenges yourself.
And don’t forget to add some images of the challenges in progress so we understand what you’ve done and can (with your permission) inspire others to take part in the Norfolk Challenge Award.

Is there any funding available?

No – but there’s no entry fee either!
Thanks to our generous supporters, the Red Sock Charitable Trust and Adrian Flux Insurance Services, all our admin costs and the costs of the Badges and Certificates are covered.

How do I apply?

You’ll need to complete the entry form and submit it with accompanying images and if necessary a covering letter from a responsible adult.
There’s no deadline, no entry window – you can challenge yourself any time of the year and submit your application any time of the year too. If you have any problems with the entry process just drop us an email to info@norfolk-lieutenancy.org.uk

How are applications decided?

We review every application and go through every piece of supporting material. Provided we’re happy with your application we’ll let you know you have been successful!
If there’s anything missing or unclear in your application, we’ll get in touch and help you finish the application fully. We want you to succeed!

When will I hear back?

We’ll let you know the outcome of your application within a few days of your submission.

What happens if I get the award?

If you’re successful, we’ll let you know very quickly and ask you whether you’d like us to post your named Certificate and Badge to you, or, if you’re part of a group, whether you’d like to invite one of the Deputy Lieutenants of Norfolk to attend your group meeting place and present the Awards to each of the winners in person.
We would really like to celebrate your achievement with you and encourage you to go on to more challenges, such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – https://www.dofe.org

Can I apply again?

Yes — not being successful once doesn’t mean you can’t try again. We encourage you to keep going, facing up to the challenge.
And if you enjoyed it, please do enter again another year – we are developing a second badge for second-time-around Award winners.

I still have questions — who can I talk to?

If you’re unsure about anything, just email info@norfolk-lieutenancy.org.uk and if a call is the best way of answering your queries, just let us know and one of the admin team will give you a call.
Go for it!

Recent Recipients

How to Apply

To submit an entry, please complete our submission form, supplying supporting evidence of the Challenges undertaken, with photographs and/or a letter from a responsible adult.

Apply Here

Getting your Award

Once we have reviewed your submission and accepted it, we’ll confirm your success and arrange to deliver your Norfolk Challenge Award Badge and Certificate.

For groups such as Guides or school groups, we will be happy to consider asking a Deputy Lieutenant to visit and present the Awards.