DofE Expedition Area Complaints

Please pass this information on to your DofE staff and teams

We have recently received complaints from residents and landowners in the following three areas and we therefore respectfully ask that if you are visiting these areas for your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions you heed the specific advice given.

The Charity remains committed to ensuring participants are given appropriate training on the Countryside Code and respectful behaviour when in local communities or using campsites. An article in issue 23 of the DofE Magazine by Peter Fleet, Director for London Region also reminded Leaders of these aspects of training.

As many of our Licensed Organisations undertake this year’s Expeditions, please ensure that as well as covering all the relevant aspects of behaviour with your participants before they go on expedition, should they be in the areas below that they are particularly sensitive to locals’ concerns.

Thank you for your continued support of the DofE and may we take the opportunity to wish you very enjoyable expeditions over the coming months!

Chartridge/Braid Wood/Chesham Area of Buckinghamshire

We remain committed to promoting the principles discussed above, and respectfully ask that all groups visiting the area are sensitive to the area and its residents.

Little Baddow, Essex

Footpath near New Lodge Farm, Little Baddow, Essex (GR: 768 068)

We have had reports that groups have unwittingly diverted off the footpath between Grace’s Lane & Chapel Lane causing stress and inconvenience to the local residents and livestock.

As a result please avoid using this footpath for DofE Expeditions and instead use the footpath to the East via Blake’s Wood or alternatively via Waterhall Meadows Nature Reserve to the West. 

If it is not possible to use alternative footpaths, please exercise extreme caution to ensure that groups remain on the footpath at all times.

Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey area, Essex (GR: TL 383021)

We have respectfully been asked that the area immediately next to Eagle Lodge is not used as a checkpoint by DofE Leaders who have allegedly been staying for hours beside the lodge with vehicles, chairs and picnics.

Where possible, safe and easily applicable, please use a different checkpoint. However, if this is not possible, please be respectful to the residents and don’t park vehicles, set up chairs etc and please don’t stay longer than is absolutely necessary.

With our thanks for your cooperation.

DofE London's Summer 2016 Mail Out

Welcome to DofE London's latest mail out!

London training updates Delivering Gold DofE programmes 29th September, Victoria Charity Centre This half-day workshop will train Leaders in how to deliver successful Gold DofE programmes and roll them out in their school/centre. It will cover the specifics of delivering Gold DofE, from appropriately planning and seeking funding to timetabling meetings, using eDofE to your advantage and covering the specifics of the Expedition and Residential sections. You should attend an Introduction to the DofE course OR have knowledge of DofE programmes before you attend this course. Please contact London@DofE.org for more information and a booking form. For information on the London Region’s upcoming training dates, please visit our site or download this handy leaflet with course details and dates. Alternatively please contact London@DofE.org for specific queries.

Nominate your volunteers for an award from the Mayor of London! Nominations are now open for the Team London 2016 Achievement Awards! Enter your volunteers now to be in the running for an award from the Mayor of London. Volunteers can be nominated in one of five categories, including awards for volunteers under and over 25 and people who volunteer in a team. The winners will be presented with their award at a prestigious ceremony at City Hall in the autumn. Nominations close 31st July. You can find more information and nominate candidates here.     Open expedition dates The London Region has recently confirmed the following upcoming open expedition dates: Bronze training:  17th September, Richmond Park Bronze practice/qualifying: 7th - 9th October, East Grinstead 28th - 30th October, Bexley Gold training & practice expedition: 30th August - 4th September, Snowdonia For more please follow the links to Bronze and Gold expeditions and contact Jacquie.Harcus@DofE to book a place.

Assessor requests A DofE Leader is looking to complete his Supported Assessment to gain his accreditation. If you are able to accommodate him on your Expedition, please contact Gareth Jones at G.Jones@ctksfc.ac.uk A cohort from Bacon's College requires an assessor for their Bronze Expedition in Boxhill, Surrey on the 23rd-24th September. Please contact M.Jones@baconscollege.co.uk if you are available on these dates.

Reward cards update Reward Cards with an expiry date of 1st May 2016 will be able to be used until 31st August 2016.  From 30th July 2016, adults who have this card can apply for a new Reward Card via http://www.dofeshopping.org/reward-card. New cards will not be sent out automatically, only on request.         Additional Needs network meeting The next meeting will take place on Thursday 13th October from 6-8pm. Join us for an evening of wine, cheese and talking about additional needs! For more information please download our flyer or contact Hayley.Hyman@DofE.org.

Anything for next month? Do you struggle to find Assessors for expeditions? Want advice from the London network? Are you recruiting new members of staff or seeking volunteers? If so, then let us know and we will inform the network. Email Mark.Allen@DofE.org with your contribution before Friday 28th July.

Booking now open for DofE London's Diamond Conference!

Welcome to DofE London's latest mail out! Read on for booking information on our Diamond Conference and more...

Booking now open for DofE London's Diamond Anniversary Conference The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary this year. To celebrate this important milestone, we are hosting a special Diamond Anniversary Conference for all of our DofE Managers, Co-ordinators, Leaders and volunteers in London. The conference will be a day event held at Kings College London on Thursday 23rd June 2016 and will include a number of training workshops and presentations covering a selection of the following topics:  Aligning the new Ofsted Inspection Framework to DofE Safeguarding Volunteer management The National Curriculum and DofE Extending a Gold Award offer to students and young people Fundraising Expedition & residential opportunities Running DofE on a budget Engaging young people who are disadvantaged (DofE and early intervention, additional needs, youth justice and other inclusion-based work) There will also be guest speakers, an exhibition area, a prize draw and a Special Recognition Awards ceremony followed by a drinks reception. There will be a £10.00 booking fee for all delegates which covers the cost of lunch on the day, delegate packs and administration. To book a place please complete the booking form here. We would be delighted if you could all join us for this event and celebrate the Diamond Anniversary with the DofE London Regional team. Please note: places at this event are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Gold DofE Programme Training Interested in delivering Gold Award level DofE programmes to your school or youth centre? We have a workshop where you can learn how to successfully deliver Gold Award programmes within your school. To join this course, you need to have attend the Introduction to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award course or have good knowledge of the DofE. Course Date: Tuesday 8th June 2016 between 1.00-5.00pm.Course Fee: FREE (£50 cancellation fee) For more information and a booking form visit our training page or contact London@DofE.org       Footpath Closures in Kent The National Grid will be closing a number of footpaths in Kent for maintenance over the course of 2016, which may affect any expeditions being planned in the region. Each footpath affected will be closed twice: The first closure will take place in April/May and the second between August and October. Each closure is expected to last no longer than two and a half weeks and will be clearly signposted to minimise confusion and ensure people's safety. For further information about the dates and locations of these closures, please see this leaflet from the National Grid.

Accredited Assessors Wanted  It isn’t possible to complete an expedition without an Assessor; here are a few organisations that need your help. Riverside Secondary School are seeking a Bronze Assessor for the weekend of May 21st-22nd in Epping Forest. Please contact Tom Blandford at thbl@riversidecampus.onmicrosoft.com if you are able to offer your support. Highbury Grove School are looking for a Bronze Assessor for the 2nd-3rd July in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire. Please contact Serina Bingham at sbingham@highburygrove.islington.sch.uk for more information. Elm Green School are looking for a Bronze and Silver Assessor for the 15th-17th July. Ideally the Assessor will complete a supported assessment on the weekend and must have been accredited for at least two years. If you are able to assist please contact Kevin Welsh at kwelsh@the-elmgreen-school.org.uk.

New: Expedition Supervisors Training Orientation Course DofE London is offering a new course geared towards enabling individuals to deliver future ESTC courses.  The new ESTC Orientation course will allow those wishing to deliver ESTC courses to become familiar with course resources, processes and other support materials. Date: 11/05/2016Venue: Victoria Charity Centre, LondonCourse Fee: £60           For more information and to book a place please visit our website or email London@DofE.org.        s s     Open Expeditions: 2016 dates The London Region will again be running a selection of open expeditions for Bronze and Gold participants from London. These expeditions are aimed at participants who may have missed a locally run trip or were not able to take part last year. More detailed information (including prices, dates and locations) can be found on our website and these downloads: Bronze & Gold. Please note participants will need to visit the London Office for a briefing and complete route planning for the qualifying expedition. Places are allocated on a first to book basis. For further information please email Leanne.Chapman@DofE.org or call 020 7630 9092.

Anything for next month? Do you struggle to find Assessors for expeditions? Want advice from the London network? Are you recruiting new members of staff or seeking volunteers? If so, then let us know and we will inform the network. Email Mark.Allen@DofE.org with your contribution before Friday 1st April.

The first mail out of 2016!

Welcome to DofE London's first mail out of the year! Read on for volunteering opportunities at St. James's Palace, savings on outdoor expo tickets and more...

Price changes to Welcome Packs Please note that the price of a Welcome Pack, which includes a DofE Participation Place, will increase from 1 April 2016, bringing the cost to £19 for Bronze, £19 for Silver and £26 for Gold. If your school, club etc. charges more than this, you must tell participants that you are levying an additional charge and explain what it is for. This increase reflects the change in support within many councils which has meant our Charity faces an increase of £1m in its annual running costs in delivering DofE programmes. The rise goes some way to addressing the shortfall. For the same reasons, the cost of Expedition Assessment Vouchers will also increase to £55 for Bronze, £75 for Silver and £100 for Gold.

DofE London training courses Delivering Gold DofE programmes This half-day workshop will train Leaders in how to deliver successful Gold DofE programmes.  Course fee: FREE (£50 cancellation fee) 12th February 2016 (G3) - 1pm to 5pm Countryside Leader Award The CLA is for adults who wish to lead walks & expeditions in non-remote lowland countryside. Course fee: £105 + £35 registration (£45 for assessment) Training: 3rd-6th March 2016 (T99) Assessment: 15-17 April 2016 (A66) For more information and booking forms visit our training page or contact London@DofE.org Additional Needs Network update The next Additional Needs Network Meeting will be held on Thursday 11th February 2016, 5-6.45 at the London Regional Office in the Victoria Charity Centre. This meeting will have a focus on the Volunteering section, with a presentation from Free the Children about the WE Schools programme, an initiative that promotes social action and campaigning for young people. You can find more information in our flyer here. Contact Hayley.Hyman@DofE.org to book a place.

Upcoming external training courses The following courses are now available in the first half of 2016: Lowland Leader Training Course 27/28 Feb 2016 (Hertfordshire/Essex) £125pp Outdoor/Activity First Aid 5th-6th March 2016 (Broxbourne) £100pp  Countryside Leaders Award Training Course7th/8th May 2016 (Hertfordshire/Essex) £175pp Countryside Leaders Award Assessment Course 27th/28th/29th May 2016 (Chiltern Hills) £165pp Open Bronze DofE Expeditions Various Dates £120 per person For more information and to book a course please contact Colin.Kirk2@outlook.com

Open Expeditions: 2016 dates The London Region will again be running a selection of open expeditions for Bronze and Gold participants from London. These expeditions are aimed at participants who may have missed a locally run trip or were not able to take part last year. More detailed information (including prices, dates and locations) can be found on our website and these downloads: Bronze & Gold. Please note, participants will need to visit the London Office for a briefing and complete route planning for the qualifying expedition. Places are allocated on a first to book basis. For further information please email Leanne.Chapman@DofE.org or call 020 7630 9092.  Special offer on Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show tickets The Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show is the UK’s largest outdoor and adventure show, taking place from February 11-14 at ExCeL London. This year’s show will be bringing a vast array of interactive attractions, special guests including Levison Wood, Mark Beaumont and Tim Jarvis, and the latest gear from leading outdoor brands to appeal to explorers of all ages.  We are pleased to be able to offer Family Weekend Tickets to our network at a reduced rate of £30 (Retail Price £40). Simply enter  code DOFE at the checkout.  Tickets will also provide entry into The London Bike Show and Triathlon Show.

Volunteers needed for palace presentations Gold Award Presentations are the DofE’s flagship events which celebrate the success of the nearly 10,000 young people who achieve their Gold Award each year. The DofE runs 10-12 GAPs every year at St. James’s Palace in London, and we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with running them. If you are interested in volunteering at a future Gold Award Presentation you can find more information here or by emailing GAP@DofE.org DofE Managers: please forward this information to your network and anyone else who may be interested. Anything for next month? Do you struggle to find Assessors for expeditions? Want advice from the London network? Are you recruiting new members of staff or seeking volunteers? If so, then let us know and we will inform the network. Email Mark.Allen@DofE.org with your contribution before Friday 19th February.