April 2015 Mail Out

Spring is in full swing: the sun is out, the trees are in bloom and it's socially acceptable to start wearing shorts again. What's more, expedition season has begun! We've a host of Assessor requests to sit alongside our latest news, which includes pictures from our latest GAP, new training course dates and an update on AAP licences. Read on!

Expedition Requests in London Bronze Expedition Requires Assessor The Bridge Academy seeks an Assessor for their Bronze expedition on 10th and 11th July in the Chalfont St Peter area. Please contact Katie Reader atKatie.Reader@bridgeacademy.hackney.sch.uk for further information. Looking For A Silver Lining Silver level participant Huseyin Cizer has completed his practice expedition and is looking to join a qualifying expedition. Please email him at h.cizer@hotmail.co.uk if you have space available for him to join an upcoming expedition. I Left My Heart in Epping Forest A Bronze cohort from Heartlands High School is looking for an Assessor to accompany them on their qualifying expedition to Epping Forest on 13th & 14th July. If you can help or know anyone who may be able to, please contact Victoria Mudd at victoria.mudd@heartlands.haringey.sch.uk. Stoked For Expedition Season A qualifying Expedition Assessor from Stoke Newington School requires a supported assessment to complete his qualification prior to their school's expedition at the end of May. If you know of any upcoming open expeditions they may be able to join, please get in touch with William.Owhor@sns.hackney.sch.uk.

Additional Needs Updates Additional Needs Annual Report In April 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. Additional Needs Network Meeting The next Additional Needs Network Meeting – focusing on the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections - will be on Thursday 23rd April 2015, 5:00-6:45pm at Victoria Charity Centre. Find minutes of previous meetings here. If you would like to attend the above meeting or have something to share in the Annual Report you can find more information here or by emailing Hayley.Hyman@DofE.org.           Open expeditions - don't miss a trip! The London Region will again be running a selection of open expeditions for Bronze, Silver 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, Silver & 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 (excluding Gold training & practice) please email Leanne.Chapman@DofE.org or call 020 7630 9092.

Alice Beer presents Gold Award Certificates to London participants at St. James's Palace On the 25th March 58 young people from across London congregated at St. James's Palace to receive their Gold Award Certificates and meet our Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. TV journalist and radio personality Alice Beer was on hand to present the Awards and delivered an uplifting speech to the participants. You can see more photos from the event on DofE London's Facebook page. While you're there, why not 'Like' us as well?

Unlicensed AAPs The following AAPs are no longer licensed to deliver DofE programmes: True Adventure Limited Rob Platt Expeditions Sunrise Bushcraft Wildside Activity Centre The Kepplewray Project NSPCC Don’t forget to check the status of any AAPs you are using – for an up-to-date list of providers check the comprehensive page on DofE London's site.            Upcoming courses in London We are offering the following upcoming training courses at the DofE London Regional Office: Expedition Assessors Accreditation Scheme (21/05/2015) Introduction to the DofE for Leaders (23/06/2015) Expedition Supervisor Training Course (04/06/2015) For more information on any of these courses please visit our website or contact Lucy.McKay@DofE.org.           Get schooled on your DofE knowledge We recently updated our "Schools and the DofE" flyer with all the latest information and statistics relating to the DofE and all the benefits it can provide to teachers, students and organisations alike. Check it out here and share it among your network to spread the word about the DofE!

And that's it for this month! Have you got anything you'd like to share with the rest of London? Send your items along to Mark.Allen@DofE.org before 18th April and the Mail Out Monks will endeavour to include it in the next edition. Goodbye for now from DofE London!

March Mail Out Madness

Welcome to this month's edition of the DofE London Mail Out! Spring may have technically arrived but we all know that the winter chill won't be gone for a while, so here are a few chestnuts to keep you toasty until the days warm up...

Expedition Assessor Requests in London 'Elp in Epping Forest A Bronze group from Petchey Academy still require an Assessor for the weekend of 18th - 19th April for an expedition in the Epping Forest area. If anyone can support them, please contact Billy Swick at billy.swick@petcheyacademy.org.uk. Moss Definitely Mossbourne Community Academy is seeking an Assessor to accompany their Bronze qualifying expedition on 3rd - 4th July 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. The Normanhurst Conquest A group of participants from Normanhurst School need an Assessor for their Bronze expedition in Cheshunt, Young Mariners Base. If you are available either 13th -14th June or 4th - 5th July please contact Sinem Kazim on skazim@normanhurstschool.co.uk Walthamstow Wanderers A cohort of Bronze participants from Walthamstow School for Girls require an Assessor for their expedition in the Wendover area on the 6th & 7th June. If you are willing and able to assist please contact James Mace on jmace@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk Mertons of Fun Merton DofE is considering investing in tracking devices for their Gold expeditions. If anyone has experience of these and can give some feedback about their efficiency, ease of use and costs, please email Carol Curtis at carol.curtis@merton.gov.uk.

Additional Needs Updates Additional Needs Annual Report In April 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. Additional Needs Network Meeting The next Additional Needs Network Meeting – focusing on the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections - will be on Thursday 23rd April 2015, 5:00-6:45pm at Victoria Charity Centre. Find minutes of previous meetings here. If you would like to attend the above meeting or have something to share in the Annual Report you can find more information here or by emailing Hayley.Hyman@DofE.org.           Open expeditions - don't miss a trip! The London Region will again be running a selection of open expeditions for Bronze, Silver 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: Bronze, Silver & 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 (excluding Gold training & practice) please emailLeanne.Chapman@DofE.org or call 020 7630 9092.

DofE committee member passes away We were sorry to learn that Ron Webb, an active member of the Newham DofE committee, passed away on 19th January 2015. He received an award in April 2010 for 30 years’ service to Newham. He also attended St James’s Palace in November 2011 as a guest of the London Region and was presented a certificate of support of his achievements by the Duke of Edinburgh. Peter Fleet, Director of the London Region, said: "The DofE truly appreciates the service and dedication of long-serving committee members like Mr. Webb. The contribution of dedicated volunteers such as Mr. Webb has made an enormous positive impact on the lives of hundreds of young Londoners. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."

Diane plants her flag in Snowdonia The Snowdonia Expedition Network would like to welcome Diane Lee as the main lead in the management of the organisation. Diane was key to the running of the service in 2014 and we’re certain she’ll continue her excellent work throughout the upcoming expedition season and beyond. She can be reached at Snowdonia@DofE.org.           Participation Place fee changes A reminder that Participation Place fees will be rising slightly from 1st April. The price of each tier is to increase by £1, making the fees for 2015/2016 as follows: Bronze: £17                          Silver: £17                              Gold: £24 'Train the Trainer' course dates set Calling all potential course tutors and trainers! We're offering a rare opportunity to attend a 'Train the Trainer' course at the London Regional Office in Victoria. There are two courses available: ITTDofE (16th April)ESTC/EAAS (21st April) More information can be foundon our website.            Incidentally, in case you'd forgotten... A friendly reminder that all DofE centres and Licensed Organisations are required to adhere to the DofE’s Incident, accident and near-miss notification procedures as outlined in our policy. In most cases, routine notification of an incident will be by submission of an Incident Report Form to the Regional Office. These can be found online at: www.DofE.org/go/emergencies In the event that you have an emergency whilst undertaking DofE activities, you should always notify your Licensed Organisation and the DofE Head Office.

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 March and the Mail Out Monks will endeavour to include it in the next edition. Goodbye for now from DofE London!

New Year, New Opportunities, New Mail Out!

Happy New Year from the DofE London team, and welcome to our January Mail Out! Here you will find all the latest information, updates and opportunities from the London Region. If you have any future items for the London Mail Out, please send them to Mark.Allen@DofE.org.

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 28^th 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 3^rd and 4^th 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.

18^th February, 10am to 4pm, Twickenham Training Centre: Introduction day & DofE Expedition Supervisor 23-25 February: Broadstone Warren, Ashdown Forest (Transport provided): Expedition leadership course and two day, two night lightweight camping expedition.

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. External: £200 + £35 registration.

Countryside Leader Award (CLA) Training & DofE Expedition Supervisor

26^th February, 10am to 4pm, Twickenham Training Centre: Introduction day & DofE Expedition Supervisor 27^th February – 1 March: Broadstone Warren, Ashdown Forest (Transport provided): Expedition leadership course and two day, two night lightweight camping expedition

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. External: £200 + £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

Expedition Assessors Accreditation Scheme

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 Date: 21/05/2015
Course Director – Alice Turner

Introduction to the DofE for Leaders

This course is aimed at Leaders or assistant Leaders who are new to the DofE and provides all the necessary knowledge needed to promote programmes, manage a DofE group and support participants in the completion of their programmes.

Courses available:

Course Date: 11/03/2015
Course Director: Lucy McKay

Course Date: 15/04/2015
Course Director – Jack Kirby

Course Date: 23/06/2015 
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 Date: 04/06/2015 
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. 

Download Further Information

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.

Download further information for Leaders

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)!

Welcome to the long-awaited first mail out of 2014. A new year brings changes and like a seventeen year old boy’s Vauxhall Astra, the DofE London team will be undergoing some modifications. We will be notifying you of changes to the staff team in due course, but for now, future items for the network update should be sent to London@DofE.org. As always, remember to share this email with other participants, Leaders, parents and supporters. Expedition support   Hay! DofE Manager for Tower Hamlets Colin Kirk has participants interested in undertaking an expedition on horseback and would like some advice in planning and running a stable venture. If you have been involved in a horseback expedition and can tell him the mane points then be a good NEIGHbour and email him at colin.kirk@towerhamlets.gov.uk. The Campion School are looking for an Expedition Assessor for a Silver DofE group (14 in number) canoeing/camping down the River Thames. The dates are 4th-6th July. Please contact Paul Nye pnye@thecampionschool.org for more information and if you are able to assist. Attention Assessors!   Make sure that all those Assessors supporting your expeditions this season are on ‘top form’.  Assessors need to complete a registration to be approved and verified by each Licensed Organisation they are assessing for. Want to find out more? Click here!   Residential Opportunity   Trewern Outdoor Centre are offering Gold residentials in April and July. Click the links for full details!  Job Vacancy Redbridge Youth Service is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Accreditation Worker. Click here for full details, a job description and to find out how to apply.   Training   Don’t forget, you can find out about all our available training courses for Leaders here, including upcoming dates for training and assessment for our popular Countryside Leader's Award.  Cotswold Equipment Got a broken Trangia or two? Lost another compass? You can stock up on group kit at Cotswold Outdoor with a personal service to match bespoke bulk buy prices. As a recommended retailer of expedition kit, the team at Cotswold Outdoor know how important your kit is to you and your group. That’s why they offer bulk buy options with a personal service and bespoke pricing to help your kit and your group go further.   For more information contact Charles Perrett at charles.perrett@cotswoldoutdoor.com or the teams at any of the London stores to discuss your group’s needs. Find your local shop here.  Kit Store   The latest version of our Expedition Kit Guide for participants and parents can be read online here.   and finally... We’ll leave you with this great* Gold expedition video. *those who do not like ELO may not consider this video great.     Until next time!