Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Fifteen year old George Ellis has been running a successful school tuck shop in Sanday Community School on Orkney for the last three months as part of the bronze level of his Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

His mentor, former fair trader James Walls, recommended that it may be a good way of achieving the “skill” element of the award which involves setting up and running a business. In addition to the tuck shop, which sells a great deal of jelly teddies and yoghurt covered raisins, George has supplied local businesses with catalogues and sold directly to teachers, family and friends.

George was thrilled to be raising awareness of Traidcraft’s work on the Island as part of achieving the esteemed award and said “it’s been really great to work with Traidcraft. It has been an amazing learning experience about business and I’ve really enjoyed working with the Traidcraft team. If I could say anything to other young people about planning a Fairtrade focus for their Duke of Edinburgh, I would say do it, because it’s an amazing experience especially for those like me who are interested in a future in business. Even if they aren’t it's still great to help the Fairtrade mission!”

If you’re mentoring someone who is taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award or even completing it yourself why not give the fair trader team a call on 0191 4973999 to bounce ideas?