Listening Books provides an audiobook lending service to anyone that finds that an illness, disability, learning difficulty or mental health condition impacts on reading. As an approved activity provider for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, we are offering the Bronze and Silver Level Skills Award, which you can achieve by reviewing an audiobook of your choice. By completing this skill, you’ll demonstrate your analytical and creative skills, as well as enjoy a great book!
Scroll down to find out more about the criteria for either the Bronze or Silver skill, and to view some examples. There are thousands of audibooks to choose from, and you can continue to enjoy your membership once you have completed your skill.
Thank you so much for providing this online skills opportunity to children who are very anxious, and for being so kind and supportive throughout. Your patience was really encouraging too. My daughter has enjoyed, and got a lot from the experience and has done brilliantly in overcoming some of her personal challenges in participating, eg at the start she was worried about writing emails but by the end she could do this independently and well. She writes a good email now. Parent of Member
To complete your bronze award, create a written review of the book you have chosen. Written reviews will be assessed on content, structure and analysis of the book chosen.
There are lots of elements you could include in your review. For example, you might choose to discuss the characters or themes of the book. You could also think about the wider context of when it was written, and how this might affect the themes or plot. You can consider how you felt when listening to the book, did the story spark any particular thoughts or emotions? You might also discuss what you think of the narration, and what the narrator’s performance added to the story.
To achieve your silver award, create a video or audio recording of your book review. Tips for how to structure and film your review can be found in this short video. Recorded reviews will be assessed on content, presentation, structure and analysis of the book chosen. We suggest 3 months is needed per book, so if you decide that you would like to use your skill for the 6 month section, then please let us know and you will need to review 2 books, showing progression from your 1st to 2nd submission.
Video Review Example
Click here or on the image below to view the video example.
Audio Review Example
1. Choose a book you’d like to review
2. Listen to the book through our website, or using the Libby app
3. Depending on whether you are completing your Bronze or Silver level Skill, create your recording or written review
4. Submit your review
5. With your permission, we’ll share your book review on our website and social media channels
6. We will act as your assessor and will complete your assessment report and confirm whether you have passed
You can join Listening Books at any time. We will provide a guideline for delivery of your review when you join, but this will usually be 3 months after your joining date.
To complete your skill, you need a membership to Listening Books, which costs £20 per year, or you can apply for free membership if you couldn't afford this. All course materials and everything you need to pass your Bronze Skill is included in a Listening Books membership.
You can join Listening Books (and complete your DofE skill with us) if you live in the UK and have an illness, disability, learning difficulty or mental health condition that impacts on your ability to read the written word or hold a book.
There are thousands of titles to choose from in our catalogue. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction we are sure there will be a book for you. Click on the button below to view some suggested titles you could choose to review.
Suggested Titles to Review