The DofE LifeZone has launched!
The LifeZone is the DofE’s new careers inspiration site, designed exclusively for participants and Award holders to support them with great advice on how to use and communicate the skills they have gained from their DofE to get ahead.
It also includes unique employment guidance from top companies including Amey, British Gas, DFS and Halfords, who actively look for DofE Award holders as part of their recruitment processes.
There is plenty of information on volunteering, apprenticeships, further education and applying for jobs.For more information visit www.DofELifeZone.info
Additional Needs network meeting
The next Additional Needs Network Meeting will be on Wednesday 28th January 2015, 5pm - 6:45pm at Victoria Charity Centre. Please find more info here. This meeting will have a specific focus on funding.
The network is for those who have experience in delivering the DofE to young people with additional needs and those who wish to learn more or have an interest.
If you would like to attend please emailHayley.Hyman@DofE.org.
New Leaders programme
The 2015 New Leaders programme will be getting underway this Saturday 31st January. Young people from the London Boroughs of Brent, Barnet, Ealing, Harrow, Lambeth, Hackney and Westminster will be embarking on a nine-month youth work training programme that also offers them the chance to develop teamwork and leadership skills in a DofE capacity and be our Leaders of the future!
For more information on the programme visit our site or get in touch with Operations Officer Briony at Briony.Streets@DofE.org.
Additional Needs Annual Report
In April 2015 we will be producing our first DofE London Additional Needs Annual Report, showcasing all of the fantastic work that is going on across London with young people who have additional needs. Please start sending through your stories and case studies to be included.
Operations Officer Hayley would be happy to come down and see you to find out more about the work that you are doing and write up a story to be included. Please get in touch with Hayley.Hyman@DofE.org if you have something to share.
Bronze DofE opportunity for LGBTQ young Londoners
The London office is running a free six-month programme from February - July 2015 for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning young Londoners to come together and achieve their Bronze DofE Awards.
Participants will engage with an older LGBT mentor to decide on their Skills or Physical section activities and meet up as a group and create a group campaign to address an issue that affects young LGBTQ Londoners.
There will be two overnight expeditions: the first during the Easter holidays in April and the second at the beginning of the summer holidays in July.
For more information or if you think you might know anyone who would be interested please watch and share our promotional video and website (www.DofE-lgbt.org/) or email Maryah.Mufti@DofE.org
Expedition requests in London
Gallivanting in Guildford
Mossbourne Community Academy is seeking an Assessor to accompany their Bronze qualifying requests on July 3rd and 4th in the Guilford area. Please contact Sarah Barron at sbarron@mca.mossbourne.org for further information.
Additionally, Sarah requires a Bronze or Silver expedition to complete her own supported assessment. If you can help, please do not hesitate to contact her.
Horsing around in Islington
A Gold level participant at St Mary Magdalene Academy is interested in taking part in a horseback expedition. If you are planning such a venture and would welcome taking on another participant, please email Jack.Kirby@DofE.org.
'Elp needed in Epping Forest
A group of participants from Buxton School require an Assessor for their Bronze expedition in Epping Forest. If you are available on the14th - 15th July then please contact mahfuza.patel@buxtonschool.waltham.sch.uk
Training courses run by Richmond and Kingston
Countryside Leader Award (CLA) Training & DofE Expedition Supervisor
The CLA and DofE Expedition Supervisor will train staff in the knowledge required to lead DofE expeditions at Bronze and Silver level. Note that this is the training element of the CLA only and that an assessment course should be attended at a later date.
18th February, 10am to 4pm, Twickenham Training Centre: Introduction day & DofE Expedition Supervisor
Internal (Richmond / Kingston): £120 per person + £35 registration.
Countryside Leader Award (CLA) Training & DofE Expedition Supervisor
26th February, 10am to 4pm, Twickenham Training Centre: Introduction day & DofE Expedition Supervisor
Please note you must be able to attend all four days. More information at www.countrysideleaderaward.org.
Internal (Richmond / Kingston): £120 per person + £35 registration.
To book onto any of these courses, please email rob.clark@achievingforchildren.org.uk for a booking form.
Auld Lang Syne-up to some training courses at the DofE London Regional Office!
We have the following available training courses. All details are available on our website and all courses take place at the Victoria Charity Centre.
Find out how to apply here. If you would like any more information please contact our course director at Lucy.Mckay@DofE.org
All expedition Assessors who attend the course and complete the Scheme will become nationally accredited with national recognition and transferability for assessing DofE expeditions.
Courses available:
Course Date: 18/03/2015
Course Director: Lucy McKay
Course Director: Lucy McKay
Course Date: 21/05/2015
Course Director – Alice Turner
Course Director – Alice Turner
Introduction to the DofE for Leaders
Courses available:
Course Date: 11/03/2015
Course Director: Lucy McKay
Course Date: 11/03/2015
Course Director: Lucy McKay
Course Date: 15/04/2015
Course Director – Jack Kirby
Course Director – Jack Kirby
Course Date: 23/06/2015
Course Director - Maryah Mufti
Course Director - Maryah Mufti
Expedition Supervisor Training Scheme
The Expedition Supervisor training course covers understanding the role of the Expedition Supervisor, Assessor and other adults involved in the delivery of the Expedition section; the process of remote supervision; the importance of emergency procedures; and the duty of care held by the Supervisor.
Courses available:
Course Date: 04/03/2015
Course Director: Lucy McKay
Course Director: Lucy McKay
Course Date: 04/06/2015
Course Director - Alice Turner
Course Director - Alice Turner
DofE films now more accessible than ever!
British Sign Language and subtitles have been added to two of the brilliant films produced by the Scottish Office. These can be viewed on our site or right here:.
We're working towards making the DofE resources more accessible for participants with additional needs along with their parents and carers, and hope to have much more to share as a result of us successfully securing funding for the next three years from The Foundation and other funders.
Skills opportunities with Regional partners
Wellington Hospital Work Placements
Section: Skills
Level: Silver, Gold
Who is it for: Participants aged 16+
Who can apply: Individual participants
DofE London is offering Gold or Silver DofE participants the opportunity to undertake their Skills section in a prestigious work experience environment at the Wellington Hospital. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of departments within the Wellington Hospital. If you are considering a career in medicine or healthcare, this is the perfect opportunity to gain real insight whilst completing your DofE programme. You’ll gain practical skills for employment in communication, time management, initiating action and impact and continuous learning.
To apply: Complete the application form and send a short covering letter stating why the opportunity interests you to the London Regional Office.
Volunteering opportunities With Regional partners
Team London
Section: Volunteering (Social Action)
Level: All
Who is it for: School Groups
Who can apply: Teachers or School Leaders
Team London, the Mayor of London’s volunteer programme for schools, aims to inspire young people to engage in social action, both in their school and the local community.
Youth advocacy charity Free the Children are working with Team London from City Hall to support volunteering & social action in schools. Any schools who wish to register a group to undertake a volunteering, advocacy or social action project will receive free support, mentoring and guidance to achieve their goals. They will also be given the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at a London-wide event.
To apply: If you are a teacher or member of school staff and wish to get your school involved, please sign up using this link.
Team London Volunteering activities can count towards all or part of your DofE programme.
If you are a young person who has completed their Team London Volunteering placement and would like to know more about how this could be recognised with a DofE Award you can find out more by registering here.
And that's it for this month! Have anything you'd like to share with the rest of London? Send your items along to Mark.Allen@DofE.org before the end of February and the Mail Out Monks will endeavour to include it in the next edition. Goodbye for now from DofE London. We hope you have a great year (and stick to your resolutions)!
