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.