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,

May 2013

Mail Out for Summer… Mail Out forever!

If you’re a qualified Expedition Assessor who is looking for something to do in June then you are in luck my friend! There are lots of schools who are looking for assessors. See below for further details. And if you’re interested in becoming an assessor, why not check the available training? This and other exciting info is below.

Expedition Assessors Required

• Stoke Newington School are in need of an Accredited Assessor for Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June. Bronze assessment weekend with 18 young people near Theobalds Park, Enfield, North London. Please contact John Barrett - John.Barrett@sns.hackney.sch.uk if you are available or for more details.

• Alexandra Park School require an Expedition Assessor for the weekend of 22nd and 23rd of June in the Epping Forest area. They have approximately 6 walking groups. Please contact Crispin Bonhem-Carter - cbonham-carter@apsch.org.uk if you are available or more details.

• Northumberland Park School require an Assessor for a Bronze Expedition Friday 21^nd – Saturday 22^nd June in the Epping Forest area. Expected 20 participants (approx. 4 walking groups). Please contact Sam McDonald by email sma@northumberlandpark.haringey.sch.uk.

• Canons High School require an assessor for their Bronze Qualifying, 5^th-6^th July based at Chalfont Heights campsite, Denham Lane, Chalfont St.Peter, Bucks, SL9 OQJ. Please contact Alex Butcher at abutcher@canons.harrow.sch.uk if you are able to assist.

• Holland Park School, urgently needs an assessor for their Bronze expedition 29th and 30th June. It will be around the Southdowns area. If you are available, can you please contact Alison Bale or Richard Ball asap at Alison.bale@hollandparkschool.co.uk or Richard.ball@hollandparkschool.co.uk.

• Sacred Heart Language College require an assessor for their Bronze Qualifying, Saturday 29^th – Sunday 30^th June in Chesham – camping at Braid Wood Scout Campsite. Please contact Deb Capp at dcapp@tshlc.harrow.sch.uk

• Fortismere School also require an assessor for an expedition taking place at the South Downs on the 28th- 29th of June. Please email Gavin Kay at GKay@fortismere.org.uk if you can help.

New Leaders Programme and Gold Award Forum Nominations

You can nominate young people to participate in either our New Leaders Programme, which trains DofE Leaders of the future or the Gold Award Forum, where they can have their say on issues affecting the DofE in London. Both initiatives offer a Residential and can count towards sectional activities.

Click here for a New Leaders Programme nomination form  

Click here for a Gold Award Forum nomination form

Return both forms to Kirsty.Young@DofE.org.

Gambia Open Residential

Places are still available for the Gambia Residential. See this poster for more information and email Kirsty.Young@DofE.org to register your interest.

SEN Expedition Opportunity – September 2013

We have received funding to deliver a subsidised, accessible Bronze expedition week for young people with additional needs. The opportunity is available to two schools that support young people with additional needs. 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 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 me with any questions on 020 7227 9820.

Job Vacancies

There are currently three job available within the DofE, based at our offices in Newcastle, Sutton Coldfield and London. Please see http://www.latestvacancies.com/DofE/ for further information.

DofE A Level Survey

For those expecting A Level or AS Level results this summer or with participants who are, please take a few minutes to complete this short survey: http://www.dofesurvey.org/s/SDWHLK7IWptNDb2

Money off Travel for Apprentices 

The Apprentice Oyster photocard has gone live and applications are now open at: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/apprenticeoyster. This concession is available to all apprentices aged 18 or over, living in London and in the first year of an approved apprenticeship course. Apprentices can save 30 per cent off the price of adult rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes.

Backpack Competition

Cotswolds have given us a backpack to give away. Entrants must like our Facebook page and tell us their favourite thing about the Expedition section. Full details are on the poster that can be downloaded here.

Open Gold Expeditions

Monday 1st – Sunday 7th July – Training/Practise OR Qualifying week

Monday 5th – Sunday 11th August – Training/Practise OR Qualifying week

The cost is £180 per week. This includes instruction, bed and board whilst at the centre, all specialist equipment and camp fees.  Participants will be expected to work with a group in planning and purchasing food for the expedition but this is normally no more than £10 per head. Participants will need to arrange their own transport – pick up is available from Hereford station.

If you have students who would like to book onto one or both of these weeks, please fill out and return the attached form to me as soon as possible. A flier for the qualifying expedition is here. Click here for a consent form.

Littering is Wrong

We have received a number of complaints from farmers and landowners in the Chilterns based at St. Leonards, and stretching from Bellingdon to Chartridge and Swan Bottom, near The Lee. They are situated very close to Braid Wood Activity Centre. Several groups have been reported as being ill prepared for the task of navigating by map, littering and are frequently walking over or through growing crops and environmental features that are left to encourage wildlife on the land.

We appreciate that it is a few individuals being referred to here as the majority of DofE groups are well prepared and aware of the Code.  However, we would welcome your support in ensuring leaders and their participants are briefed and understand the impact they can have on the environment and local community when expeditioning. 

Training Available

We have upcoming EAAS, ITTDofE, ESTC and BEL Assessment courses available. See here for more info and how to apply.

eDofE and Training

Beginners eDofE training sessions are fully booked at present and no further ‘free of charge’ sessions are planned. ‘Top up’ eDofE training is available on 26th June (PM) and 4th September (PM). Email Jack.Kirby@DofE.org for more information.

eDofE is going to remain in its current format until at least April 2014 and we have already offered comprehensive training across London region whilst leaders, teachers and volunteers were becoming acquainted with the latest format and functionality.

All current courses through to September will be freely available to the network but most of these are nearly full.

In the autumn we will be running 4 train-the-trainer courses (free of charge) so that DofE Managers’ can be suitably skilled-up in delivering local support.  For those Licensed Organisations that wish to continue signposting leaders, volunteers and teachers to us for training there will be a small charge of £50.00 per candidate.  You can also arrange for bespoke courses locally at a cost of £250.00 for a half day course for up to 12 candidates.  You must ensure that appropriate IT Systems are available for us to deliver this training on your behalf.

If you have any concerns related to eDofE training and/or functionality please contact your respective Operations Officer for support.

The last few weeks we have had an increase in enquiries regarding allocating and using participation places. Follow the link here to find a guide for allocating places. Please remember if you have not allocated places, they will appear under the ‘Licenced Organisation’.

When creating a participant account DofE Manager’s and LO Administrator accounts can use places directly from the LO (section 2). If Coordinators are creating accounts, the participation places must be allocated to a centre or group.

We have also had some further queries regarding the Expedition section. All young people must add their own Expedition Aim (the team aim) and Goal (this is what an individual wants to achieve personally). A step by step guide for participants has been added and can be found here. This will show a participant where they need to add the details.

Please be aware the young person should add their aim and goal AFTER you set the details on behalf of the group. If a young person adds it before, they will be allocated 2 qualifying ventures. You will not receive an alert as the young person will only save the changes, not submit them.

Do you run first aid courses?

If so, please let us know. A participant in Hillingdon is seeking to do this for his Skill. Other participants across the region may also have interest in attending.

Well Done to Jo and Kirsty

Their bicycle ride to Paris raised nearly £3500 (and still counting) to support disadvantaged young people take part in DofE, risking life, limb and being extremely saddle sore to do so. Hooray for them!

As ever, please email any items for inclusion in the next mail out to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org. 

April 2nd 2013

Ou est le mail out? 

Bonjour! Ca va? London team members Kirsty and Jo are raising sponsorship to help disadvantaged young people take part in the DofE by cycling from London to Paris this May. If you would like to sponsor them in their endeavours to help make sure the reach of the DofE is extended as widely as possible across the capital, please do so via their JustGiving pages here: 
http://www.justgiving.com/KirstyYoung90 (Kirsty) 
and here: http://www.justgiving.com/jomarieamand (Jo). 

Ça plane pour moi!

Oh, and don't forget to return the quiz at the bottom to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org for another exciting prize!

Let's get statistical 

As that time of year approaches please make sure all your Awards awaiting approval are signed off and any new participants are created on eDofE prior to 31st March 2013 (Sunday).  Awards approved and new starts allocated after this date will not be counted in this reporting year.  It is imperative that we capture the correct figures for work carried out in this year to help us to better understand the support needed for our network and direct our resources to best effect. Details on the Annual Statistical return will be sent to DofE Managers in the coming weeks. Awards submitted for approval after April 19th will be signed off by your Award Verifier.

Open Residential 

All Gold Award participants are welcome to apply for our open residential to the Gambia in the October half term. It will involve cultural exploration, purposeful work and volunteering with schools. The residential will cost £1150.00 per person all included except lunch costs and drinks. To book or for more information please contact Kirsty.Young@DofE.org and please distribute this flyer to your participants.  

Participants seeking expeditions 

Two male participants in Sutton require a Bronze practice expedition to run April, May or early June. They will have completed their expedition training before going on the practice. Please contact  Sarah.Alderman@sutton.gov.uk if you can assist. 

A female participant from St Gregory's Catholic Science College requires a Silver practice prior to her assessed expedition in July. Please contact her leader Neil Rossiter at  nrossitersgs@gmail.com if you can assist.

Everest event 

The RGS and the Himalayan Trust are celebrating the 60 year anniversary of the first ascent of Everest with a special talk on Wednesday May 29th. The theme is Lasting Legacy which the DofE is a part of - the expedition team Leader went on to set up the DofE Charity. Trustees Debra Searle and David Hempleman-Adams are both speaking. Please see here for further info.

Jobs

The latest vacancies with the DofE are online  at http://www.latestvacancies.com/DofE/ and lately include an Events Co-ordinator and Partnerships Manager positions both in London and an Operations Officer position in the South East Region.

Available training

DofE London is offering lots of training including Expedition Assessors Accreditation Scheme, Introduction to the DofE for Leaders, BEL Level 3 Assessment Course and Expedition Supervisors Training. See here for full details and how to book. 

Please be aware the London Regional Office are not offering BEL Training Courses. 

eDofE Training

Kirsty will be running free beginners eDofE training for those with little to no experience of eDofE approximately every six weeks on the following dates:

* 1st May (PM)
* 17th May (AM)
* 11th June (PM)
* 29th July (PM)
* 11th September (PM)

Jack will be running free intermediate eDofE training for those with some experience of using the system but would like a refresher every ten weeks on the following dates:

* 26th April (PM)
* 26th June (PM)
* 4th September (PM)

Attendees' names and email addresses should be sent to the appropriate
tutor at either Kirsty.Young@DofE.org or Jack.Kirby@DofE.org.

Quiz! 

1. Who is cycling to Paris to raise money for disadvantaged participants?
2. From which school is the Silver participant who is seeking a practice
Expedition?
3. Which regional office is seeking to employ an Operations Officer?

Until next time! 

We Built this Mail Out on Rock and Roll...

Welcome to your latest DofE London Mail Out, the best Mail Out provided by the DofE in the whole of London. As ever, please read carefully and send anything for inclusion next time to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org. Due to the success of the previous edition’s competition, we will once again be offering an amusing prize for those who answer the questions at the end of this message.

Plotr

We are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with www.Plotr.co.uk, a new website that highlight opportunities for young people and is full of great advice for gaining employment. Do check it out when you can. If you have any job opportunities, internships, training, special events or similar please email Jack.Kirby@DofE.org to get them promoted to Plotr users. We will be promoting access to open award centres and our various youth engagement platforms on the site.

iPhone Competition 

Our iPhone competition was won by Hadi Arran of Wandsworth. You can see his winning entry  on our Facebook page.

Expedition Information

We’ve been asked to make you aware of some changes in the New Forest.

•           Drop Cards (information left by participants to notify staff of their progress) are now banned in the New Forest by the Forestry Commission, please use alternative supervision methods

•           Wild camp sites now incur a charge of £10 per team and still need to be booked in advance with the Forestry Commission

•           Due to flooding and wet conditions it is very important to stick to paths and check routes in advance

•           Impact on environment and safety is increased when crossing open areas in these conditions

•           Remember participants getting into a vehicle to ‘get round a wet bit’ are not fulfilling the first of the 20 conditions!

For more information or to book an assessor or wild camp site please visit either:

http://newforestean.org.uk/ New Forest Expedition Assessor Network

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest Forestry Commission Website

Plan ahead and prepare for any expedition area by contacting the Assessor Network, details here: www.dofe.org/expeditionareas

London Volunteers Orientation Weekend

We have 5 spaces free for the March 9th – March 10th event. You must be nominated by your DofE Manager to attend this event. Find a nomination form here. The event will take place at the Park Inn, Harlow and is free; all accommodation and catering included.

Please note that there are no more spaces available on the June weekend.

Conference Reminder

All DofE Managers need to get their booking forms into Kirsty.Young@DofE.org asap. A reminder of dates:

18th March – DLC State and Academy Schools

19th March – DLC Independent Schools

23rd – 24th April – Local Authority Managers

Training

We have the following training courses coming up…

EAAS, Wednesday 20th March 2013, £130, Award House, 7-11 St Matthew Street

ESTC, Thursday 11th April 2013, £135, Award House, 7-11 St Matthew Street

IttDofE, Thursday 9th May 2013, £95, Award House, 7-11 St Matthew Street

Please go to our website for details of how to book onto one of these courses.

eDofE Training

Kirsty will be running free beginners eDofE training for those with little to no experience of eDofE approximately every six weeks on the following dates:

•           28th March

•           1st May

•           11th June

•           29th July

•           11th September

Jack will be running free intermediate eDofE training for those with some experience of using the system but would like a refresher every ten weeks on the following dates:

•           26th April

•           26th June

•           4th September

Attendees’ names and email addresses should be sent to the appropriate tutor at either Kirsty.Young@DofE.org or Jack.Kirby@DofE.org.

Stats

A reminder to all DofE Managers stats returns will be due in the near future. Once we received the questionnaire from Head Office, Peter Fleet will be providing more information on what we need from you.

eDofE Award Verifier Role

As mentioned at the DofE Managers conferences, written about in the DofE Magazine and mentioned in previous mail outs, the Award Verifier Role is coming to eDofE on 19th April 2013. You can find out more about the role here. Please contact Mat or Jo if you have any questions.

 Jobs

The Northern Ireland office are currently seeking a new Operations Officer and a new Administrative Assistant. Please click here for more info.

 …And Finally

If you can answer the following questions, email them to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org to receive an amusing prize!

1.         What are now banned in the New Forest?

2.         When is the next ESTC course?

3.         When is the Award Verifier role being brought in?

Until next time!