Simply havin’ a wonderful mail out time

It's mail out time, there's no need to be afraid, at mail out time, we let in light and we banish shade. But in our world of plenty, we should spread a smile of joy. Throw your arms around the world at mail out time! Email items for future inclusion to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org. 

Job vacancy

Due to staff changes in the London team, we are looking for a replacement Operations Officer to join our team. 
The Operations Officer’s role is to support Licensed Organisations across the London Region and to support projects and initiatives with the goal of extending access to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.


The post holder will report to the Regional Operations Manager and will be responsible for recruiting new Licensed Organisations and supporting contracted work on behalf of London local authorities and directly supporting the DofE programmes in schools, youth services and wider provision for young people.

To find out more information and to apply, please click here. The closing date for all applications is: Wednesday 18th December 2013 at 12 noon. First interviews will take place on Tuesday 7th January 2014 and second interviews will take place on the morning of Wednesday 8th January 2014 in London.

You can also keep an eye on other DofE jobs here. 

We would like to thank our departing Operations Officer Jacquie Harcus for her work during her time with us. 

A message from East Grinstead

We have been contacted by a resident of Luxfords Lane, Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead, RH19 4HL (grid ref. TQ 405361). This is midway between the campsites at Broadstone Warren and Blacklands Farm, which are both very popular with DofE expedition groups. The resident is very supportive of both the ethos and practice of DofE expeditions and is even relatively happy for participants to (loudly) walk past his house. However, they object to DofE Leaders who drive down Luxfords Lane, ignoring the signs indicating that vehicular access is private and then park inconsiderately, for instance, in passing places. To maintain good relations with the local residents, please abide by the road signs on Luxfords Lane.

Training

A full brochure of our upcoming training opportunities is available here. You can also check out our courses and find out how to book onto one here. 

Countryside Leader Award

The Countryside Leader Award (CLA) is for adults who wish to lead walks and camping expeditions in non-remote, lowland countryside. This corresponds with the recommended DofE Bronze and Silver expedition terrain. The award is designed for people who already have considerable experience working with young people.
The training is 3 days and a candidate only needs to attend one of the 3 day training sessions. After training, candidates need to undertake a consolidation period, complete 3 lightweight expeditions and then present for a 3 day assessment.
To attend a CLA training, candidates need to meet the following criteria:

• Be registered with CLA
• Be a qualified teacher or hold a level 3 diploma in youth work or have at least 10 days and 5 nights experience of leading or assisting with the leadership of walking and camping groups
• Candidates must also have prior personal experience of camping (5 nights) and walking in the countryside and navigating on clear paths (5 days) and able to navigate at National Navigation Award Scheme bronze level
• A current first aid certificate, delivered by an HSE approved provider, min. 16 hours, specifically related to outdoor leadership
• Be 18 years old or older
• Have own appropriate equipment

Please check that the CLA is recognised by your licensed organisation or whoever approves the delivery of expeditions.
To book or for more information about the CLA, please contact London@DofE.org. 
Training Dates:

• 31/1/14 – 2/2/14 (£175)
• 21/3/14 – 23/3/14 (£175)                      

Assessment Dates:

• 25/4/14 – 27/4/14
• 16/5/14 – 18/5/14                 

Venue: To be confirmed but likely to be in the Essex area
For details of the Bronze NNAS click here. 
For further info on the CLA click here.

Introduction to the DofE train the trainer – standardisation

As part of our continued commitment to quality, we are facilitating a standardisation session for pre-existing approved Course Director and Tutors for the ITT DofE element of the Modular Training Framework.
This course provides existing trainers with the opportunity to explore training delivery methods, style and content and to facilitate high quality training provision.  All existing Course Directors and Tutors will be required to attend this fully-subsidised standardisation day to continue offering courses within their Licensed Organisation.  

Date – Tuesday 28^th January
Venue – London Region Office

Further details will follow in due course.  If you would like further information please email Jo.Amand@DofE.org

Residential opportunities

Our friends in the DofE Scotland office are looking for Gold Award holders who want to continue to support DofE expeditions to attend a residential that will provide them with training opportunities.
The DofE in Scotland, in partnership with Glenmore Lodge, will be hosting a uniquie Expedition Leader course to celebrate the Commonwealth Games. Six young leaders from each of the home nations will be participating in the course from the 6th to 11th April 2014. If you or a Gold Award holder you know would be interested, click here to find out more. 

In addition, Trewern Outdoor Centre in Herefordshire have residential opportunities coming up for Gold participants in April and July. Activities on the residentials include chances to go canoeing on the River Wye, rock climbing, caving, mountain walking, gorge walking and archery. For more information and to book a place, see the links below.

April Residential
July Residential

Ask not what you can do for your mail out, but what your mail out can do for you

Do you struggle to identify Assessors for expeditions? Can a participant not make a scheduled date of an expedition and needs to join another group? Do you want advice from the London network? Are you recruiting new members of staff or seeking volunteers? If so, then let the Mail Out Assembly Team know and we will inform the network. Email Jack.Kirby@DofE.org with your contribution. 

DofE Manager contact details

Please will all DofE Manager ensure that their contact details including postal addresses are up to date on eDofE as from 1^st February we will be implementing a new contact management system..

And finally...

We'd like to extend season's greetings to all of our readers and wish you an enjoyable festive period. 


The mail out will return in 2014 

Halloween Mail Out

Curse of the Haunted Mail Out!
Welcome to this spooktacular, Halloween edition of your favourite DofE network update. We’ve so much interesting DofE information, it’s frightening! If you’re in a spooky mood, check out this Halloween flashmob video from our residential last year. Want to submit any items for inclusion in the next (non-spooky) mail out? Email Jack.Kirby@DofE.org. Bwahahahaha!

Eerie employment opportunity

Tower Hamlets are advertising for an Outdoor Education Manager. See here for full details or contact DofE Manager Colin Kirk on 0207 364 3177, 0207 364 0925 or at colin.kirk@towerhamlets.gov.uk for further information.

Chilling conference reminder

DofE Managers, remember the regional conference is on 10th December. Need more info? Contact your Operations Officer.

Terrifying training

Introduction to the DofE for Leaders provides staff with the information needed to be a successful DofE Leader or Coordinator and run DofE programmes within a centre. Friday 29th November 2013, 10am to 4pm, Twickenham Training Centre, £50. Contact Rob Clark: Robert.Clark@Richmond.gov.uk to book a place.

Click here to download our the programme of training delivered by the London Region over the next academic year.

Macabre marketplace

Being a DofE Leader or participant entitles you to a whole bunch of deals and offers from a number of our commercial partners, including HP computers, 3 mobile network and Halfords for bikes and cars. The offers are worth checking out and taking them up benefits the DofE too. Click here for the full range of offers.

Eek! Expedition advice

Highgate School are interested in finding out different ways of managing large groups of young people on expeditions (60+ young people on one trip). If you work with large numbers or know of other groups that do Highgate School (and us!) would love to know the different methods that are used. One example we have heard is splitting a Bronze expedition into 3 days, with half the groups starting on Friday, finishing Saturday with the second half starting on Saturday morning and finishing Sunday. Please send your examples to helen.gardiner@highgateschool.org.uk.

Furthermore:

Although the expedition season is pretty much over, please be aware that DofE groups should not be walking along the brideway at SP892 057 - SP886056 near Kings Ash Farm, Chesham Lane, Great Missenden Buckinghamshire. There is a need to contain a bacterial infection that affects some of the horses in the area and Kings Ash Farm are trying to prevent their horses from becoming infected. Please can all groups avoid this area for the next 8 weeks. The infection is not transferable to humans. This is not a Halloween joke!

Aaaargh! Award nominations

Do you have a young person that’s doing great voluntary work in their community? Or a Leader that’s going above and beyond? If so, then why not nominate them for a vInspired Award. See here for details.

Scary social media

For up to the minute updates, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages and stay tuned for a new competition. Are you on LinkedIn? If so, check out the Friends of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group.

Blood-curdling branding tips

Looking to write about the DofE and want to make sure you’re using the correct terminology? Check out this useful list of common errors.

Creepy camping exemption certificate

After various suggestions from the DofE Network and Regional Offices, the DofE has requested and has been granted (by Natural England) a 5 year Camping Exemption Certificate for England (which will expire on the 16th October 2018). A Camping Exemption Certificate allows a recreational organisation to camp on land without a site licence or the need to apply for planning permission and should allow a number of ‘greenfield’ sites to offer camping to more DofE participants than before.

In legislative terms it means that:

“Under section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936 (“the 1936 Act”) the use of land as a campsite for more than 42 days consecutively or 60 days in total in any 12 consecutive months requires a site licence from the local authority. In addition, the use of land for tented camping for more than 28 days a year normally requires an express grant of planning permission. However members of recreational organisations which hold a camping exemption certificate issued under section 269 (6) of the 1936 Act can camp on land without a site licence and without the need to apply for planning permission.”

In practice however it means that holding the exemption certificate permits;

• The use of any land owned by the exempted organisation (or provided or used by them) to be used for tented camping without the need for a site licence from the local authority
• DofE participants (and adults) to put up tents on any site with the permission of the owner
• DofE participants (and adults) to use land for the purpose of recreation or instruction, and to erect or place tents on the land for those purposes.

For more information, email London@DofE.org.

And finally... frightening fundraising party

In spring 2014, we’ll be returning to the high seas to hold another fundraising boat party on the Thames. Stay tuned for more details in future updates!


Arrivederci! 

Mail Out October 2013

My Mail Out Don’t Lie

Welcome to the first mail out from our new office, which came complete with its own Mail Out Wing, where our crack team of Mail Out Monks can train their mail out skills in the Mail Out gym, relax in the Mail Out healing lounge and carefully hone and craft each Mail Out individually on the Mail Out assembly line. If you have an item for the Mail Out Monks to engineer into the next update, please send it to the Mail Out sensei at Jack.Kirby@DofE.org.

We have moved!

We have moved to a new office! Our new address is

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

London Regional Office
Victoria Charity Centre

11 Belgrave Road

London

SW1V 1RB

Our new telephone number is  0207 630 9092

Our new fax number is 0207 630 9047

Our emails remain the same.

If you will be visiting the regional office please let us know so we can advise VCC reception in advance.

Join the Gold Award Forum

Gold Award participants have the chance to be the VOICE of YOUNG PEOPLE doing DofE in London. GAF members…

Assist in the planning and development of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the London Region

Work with a diverse mix of young people currently undertaking their Gold DofE or moving towards Gold level

Use their creativity to give the capital the ‘youth perspective’ on DofE

Enhance their leadership and teamwork skills by attending meetings, training and seminars

Count their participation towards Gold Volunteering or Skills sections

Take part in a once in a lifetime International Residential Experience in The Gambia, West Africa.

GAF members must be nominated by their DofE Manager by 4^th October.

Download an application form

Download a poster

For more information, email kirsty.young@DofE.org.

The DofE Virtual Centre is GO

Participants without access to an Open Award Centre can now sign up to do their DofE through our Virtual Centre at www.DofE.og/go/DVC. The opportunity is for young people aged 18+ and admission is £50. Click for an A3 poster or an A5 flier. Find out more by emailing DVC@DofE.org.

Have you been on a cycling Expedition in Holland?

If so, then DofE Hounslow manager Dot Hasler would like to hear from you. One of her groups wishes to undertake a venture of this nature and would appreciate any advice on best areas, costs and so on. Please email her at Dot.Hasler@DofE.og if you can advise.

Training Available

Roll up for the following available training courses. All these details are available on our web site. All courses take place at the Victoria Charity Centre. Find out how to apply here.

Introduction to the DofE for Leaders

Tuesday 24^th September 2013

Thursday 7^th November 2013

Wednesday 15^th January 2014

Tuesday 25^th February 2014

Thursday 13^th March 2014

Wednesday 11^th June 2014

Cost: £95

Expedition Supervisor Training Course

Tuesday 1^st October 2013

Thursday 24^th April 2014

Cost: £135

Expedition Assessor Accreditation Scheme (EAAS)

Thursday 5^th September 2013

Thursday 22^nd May 2014

Tuesday 19^th November 2013

Tuesday 29^th April 2014

Wednesday 12^th February 2014

Cost: £135

eDofE Training for leaders

Wednesday 30^th October 2013

Wednesday 4^th December 2013

Tuesday 21^st January 2014

Friday 28^th February 2014

Tuesday 25^th March 2014

Cost: £50

Countryside Leaders Award Training Course

Training dates

31st Jan to 2nd February

21st -23rd March

Assessment dates

25th -27th April    

16th – 18th May

Training £175

Assessment £175

Pre-Requisites for the CLA

•              Be a qualified teacher or hold a level 3 diploma in youth work or have at least 10 days’ and 5 nights’ experience of leading, or assisting with the leadership of, walking and camping groups.

•              Candidates must also have prior personal experience of; Camping (5 nights) and walking in the countryside and navigating on clear paths (5 days)

•              Candidates must be able to navigate at about NNAS bronze level before they attend a CLA training course (see http://www.nnas.org.uk/ for info).

•              A current first aid certificate, delivered by an HSE approved provider, min. 16 hours, specifically related to outdoor leadership

•              Be 18 years old to register (all candidates must be registered with CLA before attending training)

•              Participants will need to bring appropriate equipment for the week.

And Finally…

Please join the Mail Out Monks in extending a warm welcome to our new Admin Assistant Catherine McGirr.

Until next time…

August 2013

Everywhere you go, always take the mail out with you

Hello from your friends at DofE London. We hope you are enjoying the sunshine/putting up with the rain. In this very changeable weather it’s important to always check the long term forecast prior to Expeditions for the safety and enjoyment of all involved. One thing that is consistent however is the quality of your network update, as you can see below. Remember, email all items for inclusion to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org and share this update as widely as possible.

Expedition Places Available

A DofE group from Sutton needs more participants to join their upcoming Gold Qualifying Expedition so that it can go ahead.

·         The Expedition will take place in the Peak District from Tuesday 27^th August to Saturday 31^st August

·         The cost is £200 including transport.

·         Acclimatisation day on Tuesday (walk in the local area, route planning, pre-expedition checks with Assessor, team building exercises, preparatory work on expedition aim and planning expedition report, how to use our group kit) followed by four day Gold DofE qualifying expedition.

• Participants must have had their Gold DofE Expedition pre-expedition training and a valid practice expedition signed off

Please contact Sarah Alderman at Sarah.Alderman@sutton.gov.uk or on 020 8404 1989 for more information.

DofE Leaders Training

As part of our training offer, we are considering running a 5 day residential in Wales for DofE Leaders from Monday 25/11/13 to Friday 29/11/13 at a subsidised cost of £400 per person for food, accommodation and the following training;

·         Countryside Leaders Award Training Course (usual cost £175 + £25 registration with CLA)

·         Expedition Supervisors Course (usual cost £135)

·         Expedition Assessors Training Course (usual cost £135)

Pre-Requisites for the CLA

·         Be a qualified teacher or hold a level 3 diploma in youth work or have at least 10 days and 5 nights experience of leading, or assisting with the leadership of, walking and camping groups.

• Candidates must also have prior personal experience of; Camping (5 nights) and walking in the countryside and navigating on clear paths (5 days)

• Candidates must be able to navigate at about NNAS bronze level before they attend a CLA training course (see http://www.nnas.org.uk/ for info).

• A current first aid certificate, delivered by an HSE approved provider, min. 16 hours, specifically related to outdoor leadership

• Be 18 years old to register

Participants will need to bring appropriate equipment for the week and arrange their own transportation. If we get enough firm commitment then this may go ahead and run. If interested, please email an expression of interest to Jacquie.harcus@dofe.org by the 20^th September 2013.

Assessor Required

The E. Ivor Hughes Foundation require an assessor for their Bronze Expedition on 19-20^th September 2013 in the Braid Wood area. If you are able to assist or know someone else that can, please email Charl Weyers at cweyers@tiscali.co.uk.

Funding Opportunity

A new funding programme has opened to support charities in London. The Santander Foundation and the Mayor's Fund for London have come together to create Community Plus London. £100,000 is available overall, with grants of up to £5000. Particular priority will be given to charities working in health, skills and employment development for young people.

Community Plus London is a new scheme to support smaller charities across the capital. It is a joint programme of the Santander Foundation and the Mayor's Fund for London and £100,000 is available overall with grants up to £5000.

Whilst DofE London would not be able to apply, individual Licensed Organisations can. An application form can be downloaded here or you can get a copy at a Santander bank branch. Additional information can be found here. You can also call 020 7983 4483 if you have a specific question.

The closing date is 12 September 2013 and successful applicants will hear the good news by 31 October 2013

Residential Opportunity

Date:                Saturday 7^th – Thursday 12^th September 2013

Location:          Trewern, Herefordshire

Cost:                £100

Activity:            Support with the cooking and housekeeping on a residential expedition week for young people with additional needs.

Young people with additional needs will be undertaking their Bronze expedition training, practice and qualifier during the week.  Your role will be to manage the housekeeping and cooking for young people and staff taking part in the expedition week. There will also be opportunities to take part in additional activities.

For more information or to book onto this Residential please contact Hayley on Hayley.Shenholds@DofE.org or 020 7227 9820.

Sponsor a DofE London Team Member!

I am running the Ealing Half Marathon in September in order to raise money for disadvantaged young people who wish to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. If you wish to sponsor me, please click here.

Drop Cards Dropped

The Forestry Commission have said that the use of drop cards in the New Forest is not permitted due to overuse and misuse of them. If a ranger comes across them they will treat them as litter.

For those Feeling Christmassy

It may still be summer but the media world is already thinking about Christmas and are looking for heart-warming stories from charities with a  festive feel.

The media team at head office are looking for young people who will be spending Christmas this year volunteering for their DofE. This could be volunteering at a homeless shelter (and planning on helping on Christmas day too) or taking part in a volunteering Residential over the Christmas period.

They would love to hear about anything that you think fits the bill for promoting the DofE and the fantastic impact we have on communities through our programmes- with a festive feel!

Please contact Heather Richardson at heather.richardson@DofE.org if you can help.

DofE Leader’s Reward Card

Apologies if you have received an incorrectly addressed Leader's DofE Reward Card, please use the card as they are non-personalised.  If you didn’t receive a card sign up here.

And Finally…

We’d like to welcome our new Operations Officers Maryah Mufti and Jacquie Harcus who have joined the London team this month. Welcome also to consultant Vanessa Cook also joins us for the month of August.

Until next time! 

July 2013

Mailin’ out around the world…

July 2013

Are you ready for a brand new beat? The update’s here and the time is right for the DofE. As per usual, please email all content for the next update to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org.  Assessors required Assessors are needed for the following expeditions… • A Bronze expedition on 4th and 5th July in the Chiltern area. For more information, please contact Ruth Henning – RHENNING@parkview.haringey.sch.uk. • A Bronze expedition on 4th and 5th July in the Knockholt area. For more information, please contact Juliet Heaney at Juliet.Heaney@royalgreenwich.gov.uk. • A Bronze expedition on 12th and 13th July in Dorking. Please contact Tom Unwin tunwin@hurlchel.lbhf.sch.uk at Hurlingham & Chelsea School if you can assist. • A Bronze expedition on 16th and 17th of July in the Tring area. Please contact faith.robertson@barnet.gov.uk if you can help. • A Bronze expedition 20th and 21st July in Ashdown Forest. Please contact Rik Payne on 07812574187 or at rikpayne@hotmail.co.uk. The Gold Award Forum wants you! If you are going to be doing your Gold Award in September and want to have your say on DofE matters in London, then the Gold Award Forum is for you. Members of the forum meet regularly to discuss DofE issues, work on projects and take part in an international residential. Members must be nominated by their DofE Manager. See here for a poster and download a nomination form here. Training available Our next Introduction to the DofE course is on 9th July at Award House. Please download a booking form from this page of our website and send the completed form to Kirsty.Young@DofE.org. You can also view our other training opportunities there too. Expedition support  DofE London may be able to provide financial support a group of young people with additional needs undertaking the Expedition section of their DofE, including the training, practice and qualifier. If you are working with a group of young people with additional needs who are currently planning their expedition and are in need of funding to support this, please get in touch with Hayley.Shenholds@DofE.org with details of your expedition plans. Responses by Friday 19th July. Residential opportunity  Expeditions required  • We are looking for an open Silver expedition opportunity for a young woman. I also have some participants looking for open residential opportunities and would welcome details of any you may be running this year. Please contact matthew.barnett@DofE.org with the details. • Another young woman in Sutton requires a Silver practice, after 7th July and before 27th August. Please email Sarah.Alderman@sutton.gov.uk if you can assist. • An Assessor-in-waiting would like to be accredited before 22nd July. She needs to undertake her supported assessment, preferably in the London area. Please contact Zoe at ZPoullos@greigcityacademy.co.uk if you can support her. Residential required There is a young person who requires a Gold residential and has the following accessibility requirements: • Wheelchair accessible • Accommodation for young person plus up to 3 carers • Hoist • Bed with sides If you are able to offer a place on a residential for this young person please get in touch with Kassandra on Kassandra.Gordon@hafad.org.uk.  And finally... A member of the DofE London Team is raising money for disadvantaged young people to participate in the DofE by running the Ealing Half Marathon. If you wish to sponsor them to do so, you can donate here. Until next time!

June 2013

You are now entering a DofE London Mail Out zone

If we themed our network mail outs, this would definitely be an Expedition season special. If you have any opportunities, news or other items for inclusion, please email them to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org.

Expedition Opportunity – September 2013

We have received funding to facilitate a subsidised, accessible Bronze expedition week for young people with additional needs from 2 separate schools. Each school needs to have a group of 8 participants and at least 2 Leaders. It will take place from 7^th-13^th September and will include the training, practice and qualifying Bronze expedition. The cost will be £60 per participant.

The expedition will be multi-mode, using bell boats and by foot. It will take place at Trewern in Wales.

Please respond with your expression of interest for this expedition no later than Friday 14^th June to Hayley.Shenholds@DofE.org.  Please feel free to contact her with any questions on 020 7227 9820.

Gambia Residential Opportunity

We still have places available to go on our exciting Residential in The Gambia in October. Please see here for more info and email Kirsty.Young@DofE.org to register your interest.

Team London Volunteers

We’ve partnered with the Team London Volunteers to offer volunteering opportunities across London with DofE groups. There are also many other organisations to volunteer with. This can be good way to find activities for a Volunteering section. The site is http://volunteerteam.london.gov.uk/.

Additional Needs Leaflet

Here is an ‘additional needs’ leaflet, produced by the London Regional Office, which can be used by leaders to promote DofE to non-participating schools. Please bear in mind that this document can be updated and adjusted according to your feedback, therefore we would appreciate feedback from you and the groups that you use it with.  

eDofE Training for Leaders

Free Train the Trainer Sessions FOR MANAGERS ONLY. Please email Kirsty.Young@DofE.org to reserve a place.

Wednesday 18^th September

Tuesday 15^th October

Friday 22^nd November

Tuesday 10^th December

Free eDofE training for all leaders (limited places). Please email Kirsty.Young@DofE.org or Jack.Kirby@DofE.org to reserve a place.

Monday 29^th July AM (Kirsty)

Wednesday 4^th September PM (Jack)

Wednesday 11^th September PM (Kirsty)

After this point, the period of free eDofE training ends. The following sessions are available to all leaders at a cost of £50 per person. Please click here to download a booking form to return to Kirsty.Young@DofE.org to reserve a place.

Wednesday 30^th October PM

Wednesday 4^th December PM

Tuesday 21^st January AM

Friday 28^th February AM

Tuesday 25^th March PM

You can find all our latest training opportunities here.

Assessors Required

An assessor is needed for the weekend of the 22^nd and 23^rd of June for a Bronze Expedition. Please contact  Benedict.Fogarty@evelyngraceacademy.org for further information.

Assessors are also needed for Bronze Expeditions on 15th & 16th June and 6th & 7th July in Dorking and a Silver Expedition 29th June to 1st July. Contact jnolan@westminster.gov.uk for more information.

Help Blind Veterans UK 

Blind Veterans UK are trying to recruit volunteers to support a 100k walk on 22^nd  and 23^rd June from London to Brighton. They have several rest stops on route and particularly need volunteers at Imberhorne, East Grinstead and Scaynes Hill, West Sussex. If anyone could spare a few hours to cheer the walkers, help them get food and encourage them to keep walking Blind Veterans UK would really appreciate it. Please can you contact victoria.marshall@blindveterans.org.uk if you are interested.

The Routes They are a Changin’

DofE groups that walk near Quarr Farm in the Swanage area, grid ref 989796 should be aware that the farmer is concerned that students and adults are not following the footpath/bridleway signs but sticking to the routes shown on the OS map. The new, official routes, are all clearly marked/sign posted and should not pose a problem for groups but they need to be aware that alterations have taken place.

Jobs

London Borough of Richmond are currently advertising for a 3 hour a week post to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Ham & Petersham Youth Centre. Please see here or contact Rob Clark (Robert.Clark@Richmond.gov.uk) for more information.

You can also view the latest opportunities within the DofE at http://www.latestvacancies.com/DofE/.

And Finally

In response to general accusations of DofE groups littering the countryside, groups in Hounslow have started to pick up litter other people have left that they have encountered en route.

This not only helps the environment and challenges preconceptions of young people but could also be an Expedition aim.

Until next time,