The DofE is a programme of activities that can be undertaken by anyone aged from 14 to 25,
regardless of personal ability. The concept of the DofE is simple – young people can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold.
With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:
Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home doing a shared activity.
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time. It must be monitored and then assessed by someone with knowledge of that particular activity to achieve an Award. Each progressive level demands more time and commitment from participants.
At the start of 2009 the 5th West Bromwich Boys’ Brigade and the 1st West Bromwich Guides teamed up to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to their members. The journey started with the registration of 9 eager younger people with BB HQ and the receivership of their all important Bronze Award Record Books and then for each to decide how they would work towards their awards.
During the course of the year the participants have done many different activities including volunteering their spare time with Rainbows, Junior Section, WRVS at Sandwell Hospital and a children’s club at a local library, completed a fitness class run by Ashley Henson on a Monday night between January and March, acting in a local drama group, learning how a library is run at a local library, playing in a brass band and performing in the famous Wesley Pantomime!
Then came the summer and with it, the expedition section! The participants were trained on how to navigate with a map and compass, how to route plan correctly, what equipment to take and how to use it properly, what sorts of food to eat and how to cook it hygienically on camp stoves, first aid skills, highway and country codes and everything else that is required to be able to safely plan and carry out an unaccompanied journey through the countryside! During the practice sessions we held through the summer, we completed the orienteering course at Sutton Park, walked through the countryside around Worcester, Wyre Forest, Wenlock Edge, Cannock Chase and even a walk between Wesley and Barr Beacon, so we got in plenty of practice!
All participants successfully completed their qualifying expedition near Much Wenlock during the last weekend of September and were assessed by Roger Hainge from the 1st Polesworth BB Company who was very impressed by their performances. To finish the section, each person had to do some kind of report on the experience which was done in front of Mick Osborne on the first Monday in October, who as many of you know was involved with the DofE a few years ago in the company.
Both the Boys’ Brigade and Guides at Wesley have offered the DofE to their members for many years in the past but the last time someone gained an award was well over 20 years ago for both organisations. This year is therefore very special in the history of youth work here and marks the rebirth of the DofE at Wesley. It would not have been possible to have offered this opportunity if it were not for the generous efforts of the staff of both organisations (Rory Green, Carl Philpot, Angela Hall, Julie Dixon, Andrew Henson, Ken Dunn, Mick Osborne & Matthew Clive), parents of participants (some of whom were kind enough to give us lifts to various parts of the countryside), DofE assessors (Ashley Henson, Roger Hainge & Jamie Haden-Walker) and the understanding of our church who haven’t complained when we have missed a few parade services during 2009!
Here’s to a successful 2010 session and the Silver Award!
