Duke of Edinburgh’s Award #DofEWithADifference

We recognise that this is a worrying time and you may be concerned about how the coronavirus outbreak will affect students participating in their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. In order to help you achieve your award there is a lot of information listed below that is updated regularly and includes activity suggestions, expeditions etc: https://www.dofe.org/dofewithadifference.

Temporary programme changes

To ensure that you will be able to continue with your award the following changes are in place  Participants can now volunteer for family members, for example by mentoring or coaching younger siblings.  Participants can now change section activities more than once.  Time spent on previous activities will still count towards completion.  Staff members may be able to act as Volunteering, Physical and Skills section Assessors, if required.  When expeditions are able to resume, Silver and Gold Expedition Assessors will temporarily be allowed to be known to the expedition group.

To protect the value and integrity of DofE Awards, other requirements will remain the same. However, we are continuing to look for ways we can be flexible to support you, so if you have ideas that are outside of the box let me know. Any further updates or temporary changes introduced will be included in the newsletter, but in the meantime if you need any help please contact Mrs Wildgoose.

Hot off the press

Volunteering:

The world feels a little uncertain at the moment, but remember we’re all in this together and can support each other in new ways. If you’re continuing the Volunteering section for your DofE, or just want to help your community, look at these tips. www.dofe.org/thelatest/volunteer-remotely

Leonard Cheshire have produced a 12 week guide for young people wishing to complete their volunteering from home. Activities include marketing, fundraising, and campaigning to make the world a fairer place for disabled people. https://www.leonardcheshire.org/get-involved/volunteer-us/social-action.

‘Kissing it better’ is a healthcare charity and training provider, working to end the isolation of old age by bringing generations together - see www.Kissingitbetter.co.uk

Remember you can volunteer at home.

Physical:

Are you struggling with your DofE physical section? There is a fantastic selection of fitness ideas which can be done at home on the NHS Fitness studio website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhsfitness-studio/#DofEwithadifference

Fitness trainer Joe Wicks @thebodycoach runs a daily workout 9.00-9.30am Monday - Friday. Doing a minimum of two of these a week would work for your DofE: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1/featured (this has been part of the PE lockdown sessions, they are great!

If you fancy adding some extra at home exercise to your daily routine, Youth Sport Trust are doing daily exercises. Doing these for at least an hour per week can count towards your DofE physical section. www.youthsporttrust.org/pe-home-learning

Skill:

British Sign Language are currently offering students the chance to sign up for an online sign language course for only £3.00. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn sign language from home for at least 3 months. #DofEwithadifference british-sign.co.uk

Daily exercise is important for your physical and mental well-being. Have you seen inspirational scenes when out? Why not try photography with sharp shots photo and create a portfolio for your skill section? (https://twitter.com/sharpshotsphoto). For more info visit - https://bit.ly/2VbI89f #DofEwithadifference

U:bee is a non-profit organisation, helping young people be the best they can be. @UBeeOnline1 is a DofE Approved Activity provider that offers inspirational, affordable, fun online skills and hobbies courses from just £29. Visit – www.ubee.org.uk

If you're looking for a new DofE skill and not a big fan of baking sweet treats, why not try cookery instead? Perhaps you could try Vegetarian or Vegan recipes and create a cook book as you go? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/

Why not try a new hobby for your DofE skill section, why not try gardening? You can purchase seeds from as little as £1 on Amazon. Research online how to care for them and enjoy the fruits of your labour. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/

Expedition - Getting ahead:

Even though you can’t take part in your expedition at the moment, why not check out these online activities for young navigators from ELOutdoorEd (https://twitter.com/ELOutdoorEd) https://www.edubuzz.org/eloes/2020/03/25/online-activities-for-young-navigators/ A great way to learn #expedition skills. #DofEWithADifference.

Don’t forget if you go onto your EDOFE you can plan your expedition either as a group or individually, planning alone is possible but getting in touch with your team mates makes it more fun and you can share the work and ideas.

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Bronze - your expedition will start at Chatsworth house SK260702 camping at Barn farm SK 242622 and finishing at Bonsall fountain 279579.

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Silver – your expedition will start at Charlesworth School SK006928 to Thornsett Westfield House Farm SK013869 to Edale (NOT Field End campsite) finishing at Bamford railway station SK206824 and qualifying Hebden Hey Scout Centre to Skipton - the choice of campsite is yours for both nights. Remember you have to have 7 hours of planned activity but this does not mean 7hrs of walking, your aim/purpose is important and it can reduce your walking time so think carefully about what you might do.

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Gold – your expedition will start at Charlesworth Thornsett Edale (see above). Qualifying expedition Yorkshire Dales Starting Ribbleshead Railway Station 762791, your route is dependent on your aim, but remember 8 hrs of planned activity per day (this does not need to be 8hrs walking)

Knowing how, where and when to obtain weather forecasts can be important when training for future expeditions. Learn how to look for signs which will indicate changes in the weather as part of your expedition training at home. https://bit.ly/34QQGpa

Although expeditions are currently on hold, you can still take part in some expedition training from home. Why not learn how to use a trangia stove safely and have a go at cooking a meal on one at home. #DofEWithaDifference www.mountain-water.co.uk/dofe-expedition-training-thetrangia-stove

Stay safe and get in touch if there is anything that you need please contact Mrs Wildgoose.