We are looking for volunteers to support of our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award delivery in Hertfordshire
Would you like to help young people get the most of out of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme?
Every year, Services for Young People (SfYP) supports hundreds of young people to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). We are looking for volunteers to help.
SfYP DofE projects
We are keen to recruit volunteers to help us support young people at SfYP DofE projects throughout Hertfordshire. The inclusive projects are specifically for young people who need additional support or would be less likely to access the DofE through traditional routes, for example, those with special educational needs and disabilities. The projects take place in the evenings every week during term time and we are seeking volunteers who are able to provide a regular commitment.
A volunteer’s main duties would be supporting SfYP Youth Workers to run the group, helping the young people choose and work towards their programme of activities, and helping them with expedition training.
We are also looking for volunteers to join expedition training days, practice expeditions and assessed expeditions which happen several times a year between March and September, both in Hertfordshire and further afield.
As part of their DofE programme, in teams of four to seven, young people plan an adventurous journey with a common aim, which will culminate in an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition. A volunteer’s role is supporting the expedition supervisor in ensuring that the expedition runs smoothly and safely, and assisting with training and planning. Supervision of groups of young people will be required throughout.
Volunteers may also get the opportunity to become an accredited Expedition Assessor, making sure that the expedition meets the 20 conditions, which are a list of criteria that young people need to meet to successfully complete the Expedition Section of their DofE Award.
To get the most out of this role, volunteers are likely to have experience with young people and a love of the outdoors and walking. Volunteers will be comfortable with the skills needed to complete expeditions, for example, navigation, map reading, using a compass, and be able to cope with changing and challenging situations. This is an ideal role to get involved with the DofE in a flexible way.
Assisting Services for Young People DofE centres, coordinators, leaders, and expedition teams with their training, planning and expedition delivery
Supporting other DofE centres across Hertfordshire with their expedition needs
Taking an active role as a supervisor, group leader and/or assessor on the practice and qualifying expeditions at DofE Bronze, Silver and Gold Award levels
Supporting expeditions so that they are run in accordance with the DofE guidelines and Code of Practice, safeguarding and health and safety requirements
Supporting the inclusion of young people with additional needs to complete their expedition
Providing support, encouragement and feedback to the participants when they are out on expedition
Supporting a group of young people with their expedition training, practice or assessed expeditions
Skills and qualities needed
Familiarity with the aims and requirements of the DofE Expedition Section and Code of Practice, or willingness to undertake training to acquire this knowledge
Practical expedition skills and knowledge, including camp craft, cooking, navigation and knowledge of the Countryside Code, or willingness to undertake training to acquire these
Good listening skills and the ability to communicate well with adults and young people, building positive relationships
Ability to organise and plan effectively
Good time management
Awareness of safeguarding and managing health and safety risks
Ability to remotely supervise groups of young people in unfamiliar areas, or the willingness to acquire this ability
Eagerness to get involved in offering practical support to young people
The physical fitness to cope with the physical demands of the expedition - keen walkers are desirable
Eagerness to undertake training opportunities for personal and professional self-development
Walking qualifications are desirable
Time commitment Some evenings, weekends and overnight work with possible unsociable hours may be required.
Training days, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions for all DofE Award levels take place between March and October each year. Requests for volunteers' time will be provided in advance for each volunteer to choose whether they can support or not.
Assisting Services for Young People DofE centres, coordinators, leaders, and expedition teams with their training, planning and expedition delivery
Supporting other DofE centres across Hertfordshire with their expedition needs
Taking an active role as a supervisor, group leader and/or assessor on the practice and qualifying expeditions at DofE Bronze, Silver and Gold Award levels
Ensuring expeditions are run in accordance with the DofE guidelines and Code of Practice, safeguarding and health and safety requirements
Supporting the inclusion of young people with additional needs to complete their expedition
Providing support, encouragement and feedback to the participants when they are out on expedition
Skills and qualities needed
Familiarity with the aims and requirements of the DofE Expedition Section and Code of Practice, and a sound knowledge of the Expedition Section
Practical expedition skills and knowledge, including camp craft, cooking, navigation and knowledge of the Countryside Code, or willingness to undertake training to acquire these
Good listening skills and the ability to communicate well with adults and young people, building positive relationships
Ability to organise and plan effectively
Good time management
Awareness of safeguarding and managing health and safety risks
Ability to remotely supervise groups of young people in unfamiliar areas
Eagerness to get involved in offering practical support to young people
The physical fitness to cope with the physical demands of expeditions - keen walkers are desirable
Eagerness to undertake training opportunities for personal and professional self-development
Walking qualifications are required
Experience of DofE expeditions and expedition management is desirable.
A licence to drive a minibus is desirable
Time commitment
Some weekends and overnight work with possible unsociable hours may be required.
Advising DofE coordinators and training may be during the daytime on week days.
Training days, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions for all DofE Award levels take place between April and October each year. Requests for volunteers' time will be provided in advance for each volunteer to choose whether they can support or not.
Supporting the HEST Provider to deliver the HEST course to groups of up to five young people, as outlined in the Participant and Leader Pack, following instruction from the HEST Provider
Reading and understanding the material being delivered
Completing the HEST learning matrix for the participants
Qualifications and skills needed
A DofE Expedition Assessor’s number from the Expedition Pathway
A walking qualification (CLA, LLA, BELA, HML, ML)
A keen eye for detail
Excellent people skills
A positive attitude
A love of the outdoors
An appreciation of the DofE Award and its benefits for young people
Time commitment
HEST delivery runs from October to March each year and each course lasts 1 day, which could be a weekday or a weekend day.
Support SfYP DofE Team with running all the activities taking place on the residential course held at Hudnall Park outdoor activity centre near Hemel Hempstead
Work with the young people on the residential course to enable them to have an enjoyable and memorable experience
Support with preparing activities, spaces, equipment and other duties throughout the residential, for example, supporting the kitchen team to set out meals or help with cleaning up
Support the residential course so that it runs in accordance with health and safety and safeguarding requirements
Support the inclusion of young people with additional needs to complete their residential
Play an active role in all areas of the residential programme
Time commitment
1 week – Monday to Friday for the dates when the residentials are taking place (accommodation and meals will be provided) OR
1 day – Monday to Friday for the dates when the residentials are taking place (meals will be provided)
The SfYP DofE Team will provide training and other personal development opportunities and an annual personal volunteering planning meeting.
Attending expeditions and providing their quality assurance
Completing the Quality Assurance Form and sending it to the SfYP DofE Team
Working with the Expedition Supervisor to ensure that the Quality Assurance process is beneficial to all
Qualifications and skills needed
A DofE Expedition Assessor’s number from the Expedition Pathway
A walking qualification or HEST certificate is preferable
A keen eye for detail
Excellent people skills
A positive attitude
A love of the outdoors
An appreciation of the DofE Award and its benefits for young people
Time commitment
DofE expeditions run from March through to October each year and can be on any day of the week. There is no requirement for the Quality Assurer to stay overnight with the expedition but they may wish to.
Organising the Services for Young People kit store at Stevenage Young People’s Centre
Developing and keeping an up-to-date inventory of all equipment
Developing and keeping an up-to-date log of equipment loans to ensure that it is kept and maintained as well as possible
Informing the SfYP DofE Manager of any breakages
Time commitment
1 hour a week at Stevenage Young People's Centre
Occasional meetings with the SfYP DofE Manager
What’s in it for you as a volunteer?
A DofE volunteer supports young people to develop new skills, confidence and a greater appreciation of the environment and community around them. In addition, being a volunteer allows you to gain valuable leadership experience, build your own skills and access training and accreditation opportunities that can help your professional and personal development. We offer training in outdoor walking skills, including walking qualifications, outdoor first aid, mental health first aid and more.
Interested in finding out more or volunteering?
If you have an interest in helping young people develop and broadening their horizons, please contact DofE@hertfordshire.gov.uk or complete the form below to find out what opportunities there are in your local area. After an initial discussion, you will go through an interview process and we carry out a DBS check to ensure that you are suitable to work with young people.
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