Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Summer 2007
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Regional Training Day 2007
Once again, over 100 of you joined us at Staffordshire University
for our annual get together.The day comprised of various workshops, networking, displays and of course the wonderful 2 course lunch.
Delegates included volunteers, leaders, development workers and award officers.
There is always something for everyone; even those of you that have been involved for many years.
Raffle prizes were handed out at the end of the day and once again everyone went home with a freebie!
Get next years date in your diary now – Saturday 8th March
50th Anniversary Conservation Day

A Conservation day was organised by The Dudley Duke of Edinburgh's Award Association as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. The day took place in October at the Baggeridge Country Park.
The aim of the day was to dig a pond to create a suitable environment for the great crested newt, a protected species found in the area.
Roland Jones, Association Chairperson
New Year Honours for a Former Award Officer
Brian Needham was honoured to receive an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2007 “for services to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young People”.
His first contact The Award was as a scout in the late1950’s working towards the Queen’s Scout Award when the Scout Leader suggested that it might be an idea to go in for this new award, introduced in 1956, a decade later, and a keen mountaineer, he was recruited by a local Venture Scout Unit to help train participants for the expedition section, and so commenced a forty-year involvement. On taking an economics and history teaching appointment at Oakham School (Rutland) in 1971 he was involved with training and supervising expeditions at all three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) and took over the running of the unit in 1974.
Exact details of Awards gained before 1974 were hazy, but by the time that he retired in 1998 it was evident that Oakham would become the first individual establishment worldwide to gain over a 1000 Gold Awards, a feat that was accomplished in 2000 (together with over 1250 silver awards and over 1500 bronze awards) and celebrated by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who visited the school in to present that 1000th. Gold Award.
Retiring from Oakham School in 1998, he took up a three year post as Head of Economics at Kamuzu Academy in Malawi, and wasted no time there in starting up The President’s Award (an exact equivalent to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and all encompassed within The International Young People’s Award). By the time he left three years later, many students had gained both Bronze and Silver awards and some were just commencing Gold training.
He has been involved since the late 1970’s with The Young Explorer’s Trust, the umbrella organization for British Youth Exploration Societies, which seeks to promote safe and responsible expeditioning, serving as Treasurer and now as Chairman of the Expeditions and Training Committee.
Many congratulations to Brian who is representative of the 75,000 great role models and supporters of the Programme.
Burton Upon Trent Raises Money for Kit 
What a fantastic effort by participants, leaders and parents of the Burton Upon Trent Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, who collected over £3,500.00 over the Christmas period by packing peoples bags at Sainsbury’s and also towing Santa on his sleigh around the streets.
The money raised helps buy new walking equipment for the participants to hire during their expedition.
A big thanks to Burton Round Table for letting us use their Santa Sleigh.
A Sad Loss
Lincolnshire has lost one of it’s long serving Award leaders with the sudden and untimely death of Eric Johnson last week. Eric was a part time Duke of Edinburgh’s Award field worker for the Lincolnshire Youth Service based in the south of the county. His involvement with the Award began as a teacher at Kirton Middlecott Secondary School where his contribution to the Award led to his membership of the Boston and District Leaders Committee. Since his retirement from his full time teaching post Eric continued to assist and support local Award units, leaders, trainers and individual participants with administration and organisation particularly in special needs and expedition activities. He was appointed part time field worker in 1992 and he was a member of the Lincolnshire Expedition to Nepal in 1994.
His death leaves a void in the Award organisational team in Lincolnshire and he will be particularly missed by the special needs groups and those involved in the Award in the South of the County.
Beryl Clay
Newark’s Canal Challenge
Newark Open Award Group had 21 cyclists and 6 support crew involved in the Midlands Canal Challenge last July. 
The group took two and a half days to cycle 106 miles along the water network from Newark through Nottingham to Birmingham.
En route they Camped at Donnington Park and Kingsbury Water Park.
The group raised a total of £2150 for charity; £1250 was presented to the Air Ambulance and the other £900 went to the Newark Open Centre.
The cheque to Air Ambulance was presented at the annual Newark Open Award ceromony at Newark Town Hall on Tuesday 27 February 2007. The night was hosted by the Mayor of Newark- Marika Tribe. Andrew Macpherson gave an amusing account of the groups adventure. 
During the evening 32 Bronze Award, 25 Silver Award and 14 Gold Award certificates were presented.
Newark Open Award Group present a cheque to Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance .
Pictured (from left) are Robert West (Award leader and organiser), John Field (Air Ambulance Fundraiser), Andrew Macpherson (parent) and Dan Cudlipp Canal Challenge cyclist and Gold award participant.
YES! A New Access Organisation
In January, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service commenced a Youth
Engagement Scheme (YES!) to develop the personal skills, self-discipline and self esteem in a group of disaffected young people aged 13 to 17.
Together with Derbyshire County Council Youth Service, other local agencies and schools a programme was devised whereby the participants would learn to respect others and develop a sense of social responsibility
Using some of the equipment and facilities used by operational fire-fighters, they were engaged in a variety of activities that would also see them satisfying the requirements of the service section for the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award.
The YES! scheme has been a success with half of the participants indicating a desire to complete the remaining sections for their bronze award.
Cadets Success
Cadets from 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron have been congratulated on their outstanding achievements from 2006. 
The main part of the evening was dedicated to honouring those cadets that had completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award, of which there were 46 in total, and the Millennium Volunteers Award, a scheme for young people where they give up their free time to help in their local communities.
Just over 4900 hours have been completed by the Squadron for the Millennium Volunteers Award last year, certificates for which were given for completing 100, 200, 500 and 1000 hours - the latter being an achievement in itself as it is the first one to be awarded in the Wales and West Region Air Training Corps.
Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Schadler, holder of the 1000 hour certificate stated, "I take great pride in helping at 451 Squadron and 6th Bromsgrove (Catshill) scout troop. Being the only cadet in the Region to complete the 1000 hours means I have set the bar for the new volunteer program taking over".
Other MV certificates went to Michael Burley, Phillip Schadler, Christopher Broughton, Richard Smith, Mark Newton, and Lucy Morton.
Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Alloway stated, "Once again ATC squadron leads the way for not only the Wing but the Wales and West Region, an outstanding evening all round with some very prestigious awards".
A New Challenge
A group of 11 young people from Polesworth High School are participating in the Silver Level DofE Award. Following a rough time on the paths of North Warwickshire the group have decided they would like to head for the waterways. Since the group have attended numerous canoeing sessions on the Oxford Canel in Rugby and are now looking for fund raising opportunities to support their progression and suplument their expendition costs. These young people are also looking at raising enough money to buy in their own canoeing expedition equipment i.e. canoes, waterproof ect for them to use for their silver and golds and next generations of DofE participants.
Farewell to Sandra Fletcher
After over 30 years service with the Nottinghamshire Youth Service Sandra Fletcher retired in March of this year. Sandra has been the Award Administrator for over 10 years and in that time she has supported numerous leaders and staff as they delivered the Award to young people. Always passionate about giving young people the best possible opportunities and ensuring a quality of delivery, “approved by Sandra” became the byword for quality that was second to none.
Over 80 people from the County and City gathered to wish Sandra farewell at an evening presentation hosted by the Council.
Moorland Open Day
By kind invitation of Broomhead Estate
Sunday 13th MAY 2007 at 1.45 pm BROOMHEAD MOOR, BOLSTERSTONE
Come and find out how, and why, the moors are managed.
3 hour moorland walk with talks and demonstrations:
Hill sheep farming
Game-keeping and grouse shooting
Heather burning
Open access and dog walking
Grouse Tasting
All ages welcome
Refreshments
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, AND TO BOOK YOUR PLACE, PLEASE CONTACT PAT COLTON OR TIM BAYNES ON 01833 695749.
EMAIL: enquiries@moorland-open-days.co.uk
In association with:The Countryside Alliance, The Moorland Association, National Gamekeepers Association
Fundraising Opportunity 
Why not raise funds for your local Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group, favourite Charity or Community Group?
We are offering you the chance to abseil down Grimsby Dock Tower!
The event will take place on 6th May 2007.
Registration: £10.00 + £50.00 on the day
Registration forms and further details are available from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Office, Hill Holt Wood, Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, LN6 9JP
(01636 - 893817
Can you help?
Warwick University students are looking for supervisors for this year’s Gold expeditions.
They need a supervisor for the practice (north Snowdonia, 30th June – 6th July) and qualifying (south of the Lake District, 23 rd-28th September) Gold walking expeditions.
The supervisor will be responsible for the Health & Safety of the group of between four and seven 18-22 year olds, so will need MLT or a similar qualification. The Award Group is able to cover travel & accommodation expenses.
Please contact Gemma Perry on
Peak Pursuits Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expedition Work Book
Peak Pursuits have created a workbook covering all topics of expedition preparation. It also contains a series of worksheets to assist your group as they train for their forthcoming expedition. This fantastic training aid is available for just £2 per book + postage and packing. To order your copy email paul@peakpursuits.co.uk
New Leader Training
Please contact your local Operating Authority for Introduction to the Award courses and new leader training.
If you experience any problems in getting booked onto a course please contact us.
Adult Training
A list of training courses is available is www.theaward.org/midands
Please check it regularly.
Residential Opportunities
Please check the website regularly for new opportunities.
Is it a Gold Residential?
After last years article on the Residential section things have improved a little but there are still far too many Residential Projects being submitted that do not meet the Award’s requirements.
The Requirements of the Award state that young people should undertake a shared activity or specific course in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment.
This allows young people to broaden their horizons working, eating and socialising with others in a residential setting.
The importance here is of young people being able to share a common outcome and work together with others that they don’t know. This is why individual activities will rarely be approved for the residential section.
Weeks away for work experience for example are unlikely to count as the experience is often quite solitary and will often involve a home stay.
Leaders
If you are the Leader in charge of an Award Group you are entitled to a free Blacks & Millets ID Card, giving you up to 20% off in Blacks & Millets stores. To receive your card log onto www.theaward.org and get signed up.
Participants
If you are an Award Participant, you can receive a 10% discount in Blacks & Millets stores. All you have to do is show your Record Book as proof of Participation when you make your purchase.
Staff from both Blacks and Millets stores have been specifically trained in the
requirements of the Expeditions Section at every level.
Visit the Blacks website at: www.blacks.co.uk
Visit the Millets website at: www.millets.co.uk
Helping with Bronze and Silver Expeditions
Many young people are asking if they can help with Bronze and Silver expeditions as part of their Award, the answer is yes, and this fits into the Service section under Award Leadership. This should be followed as part of the full Award Leadership programme. It is very important that these young people are given training in their role, and the National Modular Training Framework can help here.
However, it is very unlikely that helping with Bronze or Silver Expeditions would count as part of the Residential Section of the Award. The young people will know all of the staff involved with the delivery of the expedition, after all they are part of the same training team.
Anyone wishing to use this for their Residential Section should contact their Award Officer or The Regional Office for more advice.
BEL Award for Service
It is possible for students aged 17 to start their BEL Award, and Colleges and Schools may be able to draw down funding to assist with this. This enables students to gain a Level 2 Qualification, and gives them much of the training that they need to do to help supervise Bronze and Silver Expeditions.
For more information on delivering BEL courses to Award Participants please contact Dawn Scott on 0121 359 5900 or dawn.scott@theaward.org
Physical Recreation
Participants, Leaders and Coaches often ask “what does a young person actually have to do to pass this section?” Well the answer is quite simple, participate regularly and show improvement in the activity. Many young people will participate in team sports and sometimes people have a problem distinguishing team performance from individual improvement, the team might be losing week after week but an individuals skills and knowledge of the sport can still be increasing.
For some young people within a youth work environment finding a regular sport to take part in can be difficult. Here using the Awards’ Physical Achievement Programme can show real benefits. Young people can undertake a variety of physical activities whilst being measured against a baseline so that their improvement can be monitored.
A weekly programme might look like this:
· Week 1 – Explanation of Physical Tests, demonstrations and then each young person having their abilities measured.
· Then 45 minutes each week of a different sporting activity followed by 15 minutes of the physical tests.
· Week 13 Grand Finale with final testing session and award of Sectional Certificates.
This allows young people to see their progress on a weekly basis whilst undertaking a variety of different sports. For the full suggested list of Physical Achievement tests please look on the website or in the programmes file.
Growing and Thriving 
One year on I paid a visit back to our 50 trees that were planted at Castle Gresley in the National Forest. I am pleased to report that they all seem to have survived the winter and are starting to come into bud. They don’t appear to have grown very much but they all look healthy and well
established. Over the winter they have been joined by well over a thousand more trees so as they start to grow the site will fill and provide a wonderful haven for wildlife.
Dawn
Gold Presentations
This year has seen a real success for the Region with more young people than ever before completing their Gold Awards. Each young person has their Gold proforma processed and when approved by the Regional Officer, their Badge, Brooch or Pin is sent back to the Operating Authority.
The young people are then put on to the database from where they will be invited to a Presentation at St James’s Palace. There are usually about 6 or 7 presentations per year at the Palace and on average the Midlands will be able to have about 6 groups of 25 young people attending each presentation. So in total we could present about 900 young people a year from the Midlands.
We have noticed a pattern with an increasing number of invitations to a Gold Award Presentation being declined. This is further compounded by most of the declines being very close to the closing date resulting in us being unable to offer these places to other young people. This has meant that recently some of our presentation groups were very small and that the waiting list therefore grows longer.
With the increasing number of Gold Awards being gained, this is a trend that we need to reverse to ensure that the waiting times for young people are kept as short as possible.
We would therefore ask leaders to advise young people that if they decline the initial invitation then they should contact the Regional Office so that we can discuss availability for alternative dates. There is no guarantee that they would be invited to the next Award Presentation. If a person turns down 3 invitations then they should expect to receive a certificate by post rather than attend a Palace presentation.
There is no Garden Party planned for this year and we know of no plans for one next year either.
Wanted—Leaders to be Marshals at St James’s Palace
Would you like the opportunity to attend a Gold Award Presentation at St James’s Palace and meet the young people who are being presented with their Gold Awards?
The Midlands office would like to compile a list of Leaders who would be interested in being a Marshal for the morning. The duties are not taxing; you would need to be at the Palace for 9.30 am where you will receive a briefing and have an opportunity to see the state rooms.
You then meet the young people on their arrival, mark their names off and marshal them to their places. Once they have met Prince Phillip you will have the task of reading their names out and giving the certificates to the presenter.
We would like to open up this opportunity to leaders who have not attended a previous Gold presentation and who would like to experience this wonderful celebration of the Award.
If you are interested please send your details along with a few lines about what you do in the Award to Andrea Lynch at midlands@theaward.org
We will then contact you when a suitable presentation is available.
Other Adventurous Projects—New Forms
New forms for Other Adventurous Projects (OAP’s) have been released for this year.
All new applications should be made on these forms as there are a number of additional questions that are asked. This will make it easier for the Operating Authority and the Award to ensure that these ventures meet the Award’s requirements.
It should also hopefully speed up applications as there will be less need to come back to groups to ask questions.
Please ensure that the forms are fully completed and are sent to the Operating Authority for approval before they are sent to the Regional Office.
The new forms can be downloaded from the Award’s website, from the participants section go to Useful Stuff (Library), then to all downloads and you will find the forms in the expedition section. From the Award Officers part of the website go to Library and Resources then select all Downloads and again they are in the expedition section.
Expedition Teams using Commercial Providers may need to ask their project leaders for some additional information so that they can complete the forms.
Severn and Wye Panel
The Severn and Wye Panel now has a contact address so please send any Green Forms or Open Venture Application Forms to:
Ian Scott
Severn and Wye Expedition Panel
PO Box 8553
Loughborough
LE12 9YJ
Email swpanel@theaward.org
01509 650311
Lyme Disease in the Peak District
Two confirmed cases of Lyme Disease have been identified in the Peak District late last year, both cases were in people who regularly walk the moors and both suffered a variety of symptoms after being bitten by a tick.
Award leaders should ensure that young people are warned about the danger of tick bites and are given training in how to remove ticks. Parents should be made aware of the wide range of symptoms that may be present with this unpleasant disease. Early treatment is essential to prevent serious health problems.
When walking through moorland and heather young people should be encouraged to wear long trousers and tuck the trousers into their socks.
The Isle of Man
Not just motorbikes and tail-less cats
Are you planning an expedition?
Don’t fancy the same place as last year’s group? 
Want to travel to a different country, but don’t want the worry of different language?
Want to do an expedition on foot, by bike or in sea kayaks?
Why not travel to the Isle of Man?
The Isle of Man is a small island in the Irish Sea midway between Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland, only 33 miles long and 15 miles wide, with a population of around 80,000. It has it’s own government (Tynwald) which celebrated it’s 1000th birthday in 1979 – making it the oldest continuous parliament in the world. It has its own language – but everyone speaks English and its own currency – but will accept yours willingly. It is not part of the United Kingdom, or the European Union and has Elizabeth II as Lord of Mann, not Queen.
While small in size the difference in terrain is enormous, with easily accessible areas ranging from high sea cliffs and gorse fringed moor land to heather covered hillsides. Campsites are easy to find with sites ranging from well equipped commercial and farm sites to remote wild sites on beaches in woodland or on high moors.
Famed for the TT motorcycle races the Island gives a wealth of interesting aims for your expedition. It boasts a varied geological and industrial history, numerous ancient historical sites, a wide range of flora, vintage transport, Viking castles and turbulent political history, and with world renowned bird-watching there is something for everyone.
With flights from most major airports with
If you are interested in planning an expedition contact the Isle of Man Expedition Panel at nyoung@manx.net or 07624 495598 for further information and advice on campsites, routes and kayak or bike rental companies.
(Photo’s courtesy of www.adventurousexperiences.com )
Need an assessor?
Please remember that all Award Assessors are volunteers, and like everyone else they like to take a holiday as well. Giving the panels as much notice as possible of your venture will help them to find an assessor for you. If you don’t have sufficient information to complete the Green form then an email with the dates will help them to start looking for an assessor in good time. Many panels are at their busiest in the last 2 weeks of June and first 2 weeks of July, so going “Off Peak” will also help.
Panel Secretaries contact details
In future the Panel Secretaries details will just be published on the website and not in the journal to ensure that the information is always up to date.
First Aid Course
A full 16 hour First Aid Course is being offered by the Regional Office. This will cover all aspects of First Aid, including first aid for young people and Secondary Care—looking after casualties when help may not be close at hand.
The course offers plenty of opportunities to practice the theory and puts it into realistic scenarios for anyone working with young people in the outdoors. The course is appropriate for anyone who needs a First Aid course for National Governing Body qualifications.
The course is based at the Regional Office and will be non residential.
Dates 13-14 October 2007
Cost £75—includes certification and participant manual.
Code FA0107
For more information call 0121 359 5900
Expedition Supervisors Course
Once again the Regional Office will be running our very successful Expedition Supervisors Course. This course looks at all of the skills that are needed to become a successful supervisor. The course is ideal for those who may have helped on a few expeditions and are now starting to take responsibility for planning the training and supervision of an expedition team. It is also an excellent course for those who are responsible for supporting leaders who deliver the expeditions section as it ensures that you will have a full understanding of all of the processes involved.
This course is fully residential with all accommodation and food provided.
Delegates need the signature of their Award Officer prior to attending the course, to ensure that Award Officers are able to support delegates once the course is completed.
Dates 2nd—4th November
Cost £90
Venue Buxton
Code EX0107
For more information call 0121 359 5900
Please either download a booking form from our website at www.theaward.org/midlands and then go to the Adult Training page. Alternatively register online for the course.
All course bookings are acknowledged within 2 weeks, if you have not had confirmation back within that time please contact us to see what has happened.
Commercial Access Organisations
The Award currently has 4 Commercial Access Organisations
· Adventureworks
· World Challenge Expeditions
· i-to-i
· Peak Pursuits
Information on these companies is detailed on these pages; for more information please contact the company directly.
Peak pursuits was featured in the last issue.
Their contact details are 01782 722226 or www.peakpursuits.co.uk
Adventureworks is a leading provider of specialist expeditions and courses for young people. Their programmes are designed to develop teamwork, leadership, personal and social skills through challenging activities in a mountain environment.
As a division of Jagged Globe, the UK's foremost mountaineering company, they have over 15 years experience organising and leading groups to some of the most adventurous and remote areas of the globe.
· Bronze Award - Expeditions Section
Practice and Qualifying Bronze Expedition in the Peak District
· Silver Award - Expeditions Section
Practice and Qualifying Silver Expedition in the Peak District
· Gold Award - Expeditions Section
Practice and Qualifying Gold Expedition in the UK
Practice and Qualifying Gold Expedition in Europe (areas such as the Pyrenees and Northern Spain)
· Gold Award– Other Adventurous Project Section
In recent years we have sent expeditions overseas to countries such as Nepal, Morocco, Ecuador and the European Alps. We can however tailor any of the destination programmes on our website to fulfil the criteria of the Award.0845 345 8850
· Gold Award – Residential Section
Gold Residential in the Peak District
For more information visit www.adventureworks.co.uk or call 0845 345 8850
World Challenge Expeditions is a specialist in the provision of leadership, teamwork and development training for young people. Offering challenging and exciting expeditions in the UK and to over 30 different countries around the world, World Challenge can provide you with an ideal way to work towards your Award whilst seeing the world at the same time.
· Bronze Award – Expeditions section
Leadership Challenge – UK-based trekking or canoeing practice and qualifying expeditions
· Silver & Gold Award – Expeditions section
Leadership Challenge – UK-based trekking or canoeing practice and qualifying expeditions
First Challenge - Expeditions to Morocco, Croatia, Romania, Poland, Iceland and Norway can be used as an Other Adventurous Project
Team Challenge – Expeditions to over 30 countries throughout the world can be used as an Other Adventurous Project. Individuals expeditions are available to
Andes and Amazon, Central America, East Africa, Borneo and India & Himalaya.
For more information contact www.world-challenge.co.uk
i –t- i Escape to the real world
If you're looking for exciting ways to help you complete your Duke of Edinburgh's Award, i-to-i has an array of innovative options.
· Gold Award
If you're going for Gold, by taking an overseas volunteer project with i-to-i, you can qualify for the Residential section of your Award.
· Silver & Bronze Award
If you're heading towards your Silver or Bronze Award, you'll attain your Skills
Section with an i-to-i TEFL course, which also means you'll be qualified to teach
English as a foreign language anywhere in the world.
To find out more, contact us on 0870 333 2332 or visit www.i-to-i.com
Open Special Needs Expedition—HELP! Volunteers Needed
The need for this event has become very evident with the number of phone calls and booking forms we have received so far. I have had to freeze the numbers now as we stand at 98 young people booked on and still more forms coming in. This is demonstrating that many more special needs young people are taking part in the Award which is fantastic.
If I am to be able to run this expedition with the numbers that are booked on then I need HELP and lots of it.
If you are able to volunteer please let me know as soon as possible. If I do not get enough volunteers I will be forced to turn young people away.
The expedition runs from Thursday 7th-Sunday 10th June at Beaumanor Hall in Leicestershire
I need the following volunteers:
From Thursday am until Sunday pm
2 Gold supervisors: BELA qualified and current 1st Aid
1 Gold Assessor
From Friday am until Sunday pm
2 Silver supervisors: BELA qualified and current 1st Aid
2 Gold assessors
From Saturday am until Sunday pm
5 Bronze supervisors: BELA qualified and current 1st Aid
1 Bronze Assessor
With such high numbers and without your help a lot of the young people will not be able to attend.
Special Needs Expedition - the overflow….
We are also hoping to hold another special needs open on 23 to 24th June at the same venue.
I am still receiving booking forms for the expedition. I am hoping to offer an alternative date to these young people. If you are able to assist me then please get in touch. Again, this will only be able to go ahead if volunteers are willing to come along and help.
Information and booking forms will be available from the web site shortly.
Please give me a call to register your interest. 0121 359 5900
Special Needs Residential
I am currently looking into the possibility of a special needs residential. This is still in the early planning stages and is depandant on me surviving the Beaumanor expedition! If we do decide to go ahead with this then the information will be posted on the web site at a later date.
Karen Knight 0121 359 5900
07951 309429
Inclusive Football Sessions
Leicester City Ladies Football Club—A new Access Organisation
Free to all Award Participants
In September Leicester City Ladies Football Club launched a new venture providing football and fundamental coaching sessions for females with a sensory, physical, or learning impairment, catering for girls and ladies from the age of 8 years up to adult.
This venture will provide a unique opportunity for budding female footballers to come along and have fun, learn new skills and be part of a of a long established Football Club operating in a safe, friendly and fun environment.
The Club is very keen to establish the provision of Inclusive Football for All and many of their coaches have undergone training in the delivery of football to all abilities. Mainly female coaches will be delivering the sessions and all are F.A. qualified, C.R.B. checked and 1st Aid trained.
· For girls and ladies with special needs and disabilities
· Ages 8 to adult
· Football & Fundamental Skills
· Every Friday 5.30pm-7pm
· Judge Meadow Community & Sports College, Marydene Drive, Evington, Leicester
If you would like to attend the sessions, require more information or have a female team with special needs or a disability and would like to organise a friendly game then please contact:
Mary on 0116 2827555 or
Sue on 0116 2917976
Young Offenders
Did you know that there are several groups of young offenders in the region taking part in the Award?
There are some very good working examples in the region of young people in custody successfully completing sections of an Award; in some cases they are managing to gain full Awards.
As you can imagine each group leader faces varying challenges themselves to enable these Awards to be gained.
Popular activities for those in custody include CSLA, fundraising, art, crafts, football refereeing, life skills, YMCA fitness instructor, working with the disabled, cycle maintenance, basic skills, reading, computers, and of course many different physical recreation activities are usually on offer.
Some of the establishments are set up as Access Organisations rather than full Award groups. This is usually in response to the activities being offered and the staffing available.
There is some funding available to groups working with young offenders; if you would like to know more please contact Debbie Felstead.
debbie.felstead@theaward.org 0121 359 5900 / 07779 237484
Completion Rates
As a region we have been set a huge challenge for the next year. We need to raise the number of young people completing an Award by 10%.
This means on the figures that we have available for 2006 we want an extra 770 young people to complete an Award.
This may seem like a huge undertaking especially as the Regional Office does not actually deliver the Award to young people. But, we are not discouraged by this and we believe that with your help we can meet this challenging target.
There are about 1000 Award Groups in the Midlands directly delivering the Award to young people. If each of these award groups got just one more young person to complete their award then we would reach that magic 10% with ease.
At present where a young person lives will dramatically affect their chances of completing an Award. In some Operating Authority areas half of all young people starting the Award will gain an Award, in others only one in four will complete an Award.
We want to try and ensure that all young people have an equal opportunity to achieve an Award, we should not be prepared to accept large numbers of young people falling by the wayside as acceptable, we need to tackle this problem to ensure all those who buy a record book get a quality experience.
Some of the ways that groups have started to look at raising the numbers of young people that finish are:
· Offering Sectional Certificates to each young person completing one section and challenge them to get the whole set.
· Holding an open night for past participants where you can check record books of anyone who has not completed.
· Ensure Expedition presentations or reports are completed as soon as possible after the expedition so that they are not forgotten.
· Making young people complete at least one section before they do their practice expedition and two sections before their final expedition.
· Texting young people to remind them to get their record book signed off.
As this issue is so important we will be shortly be putting a page on our website giving practical help and support for leaders about raising the completion rates.
Big Lottery: Young People’s Fund 2
YPF 2 will be launched in Spring 2007 and will run until March 2009. It will provide £81 million to support local, regional and national projects that promote youth inclusion, specifically by funding youth-led activities for young people. The programme will aim to:
· encourage organisations that provide services to young people to involve them in developing, running and reviewing policies and services;
· help achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes;
· be revenue-focused and demand-led.
Key differences from YPF1 are:
· the Big Lottery will aim to make a “small number of high quality grants” through this programme. Grants of up to £5 million will be available.
· grants will be available for up to five years (instead of three);
· wider eligibility: the programme will be open to all third sector organisations and, for projects with a national significance, non-departmental public bodies whose remit covers all of England;
· rather than a rolling programme, there will be two deadlines for applications.
· Part of the fund will go towards setting up a support and development contract to help potential applicants involve young people more in their projects; a centre of excellence for youth participation will also be created.
YPF 2 will chiefly target 10-18 year olds but will also cover young people up to the age of 25, who find the transition to independent adult life particularly difficult. The programme will also continue to give priority to projects that address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable. Details are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
IT – does your organisation need professional help?
iT4Communities may be able to help your organisation by matching up a skilled volunteer with professional experience to your IT requirements. Volunteers can help with anything from planning an IT strategy, networking and web site design to database design and programming. Since it was formed in 2002, iT4C it has enlisted around 4,000 skilled IT volunteers and more than 1,600 organisations across the country have registered for help. The service is free – contact iT4C, quoting A148/248 on 020 7796 2144 or email info@it4communities.org.uk
Also, visit the iT4C website at www.it4communities.org.uk
A Sad Farewell!

Lynn Wilkes last day in the office was 28th February. Earlier in the week she was taken out for a surprise lunch and given several lovely gifts. Thank you to you all for keeping it a surprise! I am sure you will join us in wishing Lynn every success in the future.
Millennium Volunteers Status
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has delivered the Millennium Volunteers programme under contract to the DfES since 2001. During that time the Award has provided certificates of achievement to over 10,000 young people in recognition of their commitment to volunteering within their local communities. The contract was originally due to run until March 06 but was extended for a further year.
As a result of the recommendations from the Russell Commission, new charity v was launched in May 06 with a remit to widen and enhance youth volunteering. MV subsequently moved from being the responsibility of the DfES to be incorporated with v and their new programme. MV will be re-branded to match the new charity, although it is not yet definite whether the MV brand will disappear or become a subsidiary brand.
The Award is no longer eligible to contract with the new MV programme directly and as a result will cease to offer MV certification. However, we will continue to encourage Award Groups to seek funding directly from v/MV. We are also working with v to develop other opportunities for youth-led volunteering supported by the Award.
Please note that the Award is no longer taking registrations for MV. Active MVs who want to continue with their MV accreditation will shortly be transitioned to alternative providers. Working with the DfES and v, the Award is putting in place a clear transition process which we will endeavour to make seamless to participants.
A Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Worker required for September 2007
An enthusiastic and energetic person, interested in working with young people.
The school is seeking a suitably qualified person to co-ordinate and train groups at all levels for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
A working knowledge of the Award would be an advantage.
Qualifications expected are: BELA, WGLA or ML and a current First Aid qualification. Opportunities for training will be provided by the school to the successful applicant.
The appointed person will be responsible to the Head Teacher, and lead an existing team of trainers.
The job will entail training, planning and executing expeditions within the guidelines set down by the school and by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, and managing the accounts relating to the scheme within the school.
It will also entail monitoring candidates’ progress in other areas of the award, encouraging and guiding them to completion at all levels.
The appointed person will be required to work for 7 hours per week during the school term, and over 6 – 9 weekends during the expedition season.
Please apply writing to the Headteacher at:
Our Lady’s Convent School
Burton Street,
Loughborough
Leics
LE11 2DT
Stating your qualifications and experience and reasons for applying for this post.
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 8th May 2007
Vacancies at Peak Pursuits
Peak Pursuits require staff to join their Duke of Edinburgh's Award Team to deliver their expedition packages. For expressions of interest and further details please email Managing Director, Paul Ball on paul@peakpursuits.co.uk .
Volunteers Wanted!
Volunteers are required for this years Special Needs expedition to be held in Leicestershire form 7th—10th June. If you have a BELA qualification and can spare some time please contact Karen.
Without the support of volunteers the expedition cannot happen
Karen.knight@theaward.org 0121 359 5900 07951 309429
BURSARIES FOR AMERICAN TALL SHIP VOYAGES!
Up to £500 per person
The Tall Ships Youth Trust are pleased to announce that special bursaries are now available for young people aged 16-25 to take part in the ASTA Tall Ships Challenge Atlantic Coast Series along the east coast of the USA on the Tall Ship Prince William.
Giles Pritchard Gordon, Tall Ships Youth Trust Trustee, has generously donated a limited number of bursaries of up to £500 (USD1,000) per person for young people aged 16-25 to take part in the Voyages detailed below.
This means that on some voyages, young people may only need to find the cost of the flight! What a great opportunity to take part in the American Tall Ships Challenge!
To apply:
Applicants must be aged between 16-25 years old.
Bursaries of any amount up to £500 will be awarded on the voyages below.
Applicants should send a short email to the Tall Ships Youth Trust explaining in a paragraph why you want to join PRINCE WILLIAM for the American Tall Ships Challenge. Email should include name, telephone number, age and the voyage number that you would like to join.
Emails should be addressed to Chas Cowell, Youth Development and Training Manger, chas.cowell@tallships.org.
The Tall Ships Youth Trust will discuss applications/amounts with the individuals on receipt of your application. The Tall Ships Youth Trust decision is final. Tall Ships Ltd booking conditions apply.
The first voyages depart in May – so don’t delay! Apply today!
For more details please call Chas Cowell on 023 9283 2055.
PRINCE WILLIAM VOYAGES
7 May - 18 May Bermuda -Charleston PW 413R 18-75
19 May - 29 May Charleston - Wilmington PW 414R 16-25
30 May - 9 Jun Wilmington - Norfolk PW 415 16-25
10 Jun - 19 Jun Norfolk – Philadelphia PW 416 18-75
19 Jun – 29 Jun Philadel Newport, Rhode Island – Halifax PW418 16-25
15 Jul – 9 Aug Halifax – Portsmouth (UK) Trans Atlantic Challenge PW419 16-25
THE DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE IS 3RD AUGUST. PLEASE SEND YOUR ARTICLES (MAX 150 WORDS) TO debbie.felstead@theaward.org