2026/27 Online Information Evening

Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Join us at 7pm online to learn about the DofE award and how you can sign up.

Register for the Session Here

The DofE Award

DofE is an individual challenge, which encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time. The scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for anyone aged 14-25.

Why Do DofE

Many young people find achieving a DofE Award life-changing. A fun adventure and major challenge, three progressive Award levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and a wide range of activities offer endless possibilities to anyone aged 14 to 24.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

Skills

The aim of the skill section of the award is to encourage the discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests. Participants should follow an activity and show progression and sustained interest over a period of time, leading to a deeper knowledge of the subject and the attainment of an increased degree of skill. At Queens Road we offer various skill groups on a Friday night between September and December each year.

Volunteering

The aim of the volunteering section is to encourage service to individuals and to the community. We are able to offer advice and try to help you to find a placement, or somewhere you can help in the community, but this part of the award is more something for you to do off your own back. You may already have links with an organisation which you could help in, or you may already be helping in the community somewhere, which you could use towards your award.

PHYSICAL

The aim of this section is to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity. The Physical Recreation Section offers young people a wide choice depending upon their personal preferences, abilities and the opportunities available. You may already be involved in the activity or the choice could be something entirely new.

Expedition

After Christmas we run our expedition training on Friday nights, where we teach map reading, navigation, camp craft, and walking skills as well as everything else you need to know before doing your expedition. The aim of this section is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery by preparing for and undertaking an adventurous journey as part of a team. We run expeditions on separate weekends for each level during the summer. There are two options for your expedition, either walking or cycling!

Timescales

Bronze

Physical

Skills

Volunteering

Either Physical or Volunteering for 6 months and the others for 3 months

Expedition

2 days, 1 night expedition

Silver

Physical

Skills

Volunteering

Skills for 3 months and the other sections for 6 months

Expedition

3 days, 2 nights expedition

Gold

Physical

Skills

Volunteering

One section for 6 months and the others for 3 months

Expedition

4 days, 3 nights expedition

Residential

Residential activity for 5 days and 4 nights.

Interested in Joining?

If you’d like to register your interest to join us complete our online registration form

Registration costs for 2026/27 are £33 for Bronze and Silver and £40 for Gold.

Thanks to https://www.bannerbuzz.co.uk/ for their support in advertising materials