Friday, November 03, 2006
October 2006
Regional Update
Award Video Footage
The Award is keen to collate any footage that has been taken of events in the 50th Anniversary – if you have any such footage that you are willing to send in to us that would be great.
Photographs and Press Cuttings
On a similar note – in the Region we are keeping a photographic diary of events in the 50th Anniversary. If you would like any of your events that have taken place this year included in this diary – do please send them along with a brief description. Any newspaper cuttings also.
General Council
There are still places available at General Council which will take place from 5 -7 November in Edinburgh. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Earl of Wessex and Award’s Trustees will be joining delegates from the UK and around 300 delegates from overseas who will be attending their International Forum. The event will be hosted by veteran TV journalist and new presenter Martyn Lewis.
Further information and an application form is available on the website.
SERCO Funding
Just to let you all know that of the £10,000 Serco donates to the Award each year, £6,482 is still available for funding disadvantaged young people including young offenders.
As you may be aware, we have £1000 allocated to Wales to pass onto groups which I’m sure would make an enormous difference.
All we need is a handwritten letter from leaders with photographs and stories about how the money would change lives/give young people opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have had.
If you would like to apply for some SERCO funding, please forward your information to Steph.
Residential Opportunities
The City and County of Swansea are running 2 Residentials during 2007. The dates of the Residentials are 3-7 and 9-13 April and will be taking place at the Gower Activity Centre, Swansea. Activities include, surfing, teambuilding, navigation, rockclimbing, abseiling and much, much more. For further information, programme and application forms please contact Seb Haley at Seb.Haley@swansea.gov.uk or visit the Gower Activity Centre at www.goweractivitycentre.org.uk.
Tall Ships
Tall Ships have found some restricted funds that can be used for young people nationally - so all voyages in November and December are available to the young people for only £50 + insurance and travel to/from the ships.
Can you find some 16-17 year olds for the youth voyages and 18-25 year olds for the adult voyages?
Ideally, the young people should be disadvantaged so that Tall Ships can use their funds to help top up their contribution to the original voyage fee.
For further information please contact Chas Cowell on 02392 832055 or chas.cowell@tallshops.org
Change of Date
Please note that the date of the Special Needs in North Wales has changed from the 31st October to the 27th November. Many apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
Dates for the Diary
SEN Seminars South Wales 20/11/06 North Wales 27/11/06
Gold Award Presentations 14th & 23rd November 2006
Wild Country Assessor Accreditation Course 2-4th February 2006
Rescue and Emergency Care (REC) 1st Aid 9/10th December, Craig y Nos Country Park.
BELA Courses
We will not be running a BELA course this year, however there are several providers who are.
MW Guiding Services - please contact Mike Lloyd Wood on 01443 453494 or email mwguiding@cix.co.uk or click here to view the website.
RCTraining – Please contact Robert Clapham on 01792 865139
Caerphilly CBC – Please contact Richard Batten on 01495 200113
Flintshire CC – Please contact Bill King on 01352 758139
Of course, there are other providers who will be running BELA courses throughout Wales.
Plas y Brenin
Please remember that Plas y Brenin continue to run many subsidised training events for Award Leaders. For further information please contact Helen Barnard on 01690 720214.
Talking to parentsThanks to the generosity of The Pears Foundation, we have been able to produce a new range of materials to be used when speaking to the parents of prospective Award Participants. We have been able to carry out research with groups of parents, both of participants and non-participants, throughout the country. The focus groups looked at attitudes to and knowledge of the Award, as well as feelings about existing leaflets for parents. Parents had strong opinions about how they would like to have the information delivered to them. The concept of having a parents’ evening where they could ask questions and have their fears relieved, and meet the Award Leaders involved, was seen as the most popular approach. Working alongside The Response Team – an agency with a lot of multi-cultural experience – and working parties consisting of Award Officers, leaders and parents, we have been able to develop this new range of material. Many of the items can be adapted by individual Award Leaders or Operating Authorities to use within their individual groups and/or their local communities.
The new range of material includes leaflets and PowerPoint presentations. Printed copies of the generic leaflets are available from The Award Scheme Ltd (www.theaward.org/shop - 0131 553 5280 - asl@theaward.org)A wide range of templates of these new items, for use by Award Groups and Operating Authorities, can be found at: www.theaward.org/downloads - please complete the brief registration form and then follow the link to the download site. A collection of new photographs and detailed guidance for using the templates will be posted on the same site next week
MLTA Autumn Conference 11th November 2006
The MLTA is the association for all mountain leaders and supervisors who are registered with Mountain Leader Training within the UK and Eire.
The MLTA autumn conference will be hosted by Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre.
Based on member’s responses the provisional program for leaders includes the following subject areas:
Best practice in mountain and crag leadership
Teaching of navigation skills
Multi-pitch climbing skills
The National Navigation Award Scheme
Rope-work for Mountain Leaders
The Higher Awards (IML, MIA & MIC); How to achieve them
Coaching climbing movement skills
Incident reports and lessons learned
The MLTA Conference is supported by the National Mountain Centres - Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge, AMI, BAIML, MLTE, MLTW & MLTUK who will provide the workshop leaders.
The cost of the conference will be £40 for members of MLTA. Non-members - £50. Non-members attending on the day will be eligible for a £10 discount if they join MLTA subsequently.
The Sunday following the Conference is intended to be a less formal day spent on the excellent mountains and cliffs of Snowdonia for both candidates and workshop providers.
MLTA members who book early will have the chance to win a valuable prize; a day of free instruction or guiding for themselves and a friend by a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors who are supporting this event. Date to be agreed later.
MLTA members who get one or more non-members to book at the same time will receive a £5 reduction in their next annual subscription.
A Conference programme and booking forms are available at www.mlta.co.uk
Canoeing Activity on the River Thames
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expects all Operating Authorities and their staff / volunteers to follow the safety advice and guidance of any government agency or national governing body.
The following statement outlines the Awards policy for operating on the River Thames whilst under the warning board system which is detailed below:
These guidelines appertain to the River Thames only.
The following operational guidelines must be adhered to
Yellow Boards –No Award ventures including journeying may take place this includes training, practice and qualifying ventures. However site specific activities with appropriate risk assessments may take place i.e. weir work. If during the activity the status changes to Red Boards follow Red Board advice.
Red Boards – no Award Activity will take place.
The Award will be in consultation with the BCU, ALAA and the Environment Agency to explore criteria when activities could take place when red boards are displayed.
Loops and Links
If you are planning a venture around Merthyr/ Rhondda Valleys you might find this website most useful. www.loopsandlinks.co.uk It gives information on the wildlife in this area, outdoor centres and accommodation, ideal for both expeditions and explorations. There is also a resource available detailing a number of routes suitable for day walks and expeditions.
Award Video Footage
The Award is keen to collate any footage that has been taken of events in the 50th Anniversary – if you have any such footage that you are willing to send in to us that would be great.
Photographs and Press Cuttings
On a similar note – in the Region we are keeping a photographic diary of events in the 50th Anniversary. If you would like any of your events that have taken place this year included in this diary – do please send them along with a brief description. Any newspaper cuttings also.
General Council
There are still places available at General Council which will take place from 5 -7 November in Edinburgh. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Earl of Wessex and Award’s Trustees will be joining delegates from the UK and around 300 delegates from overseas who will be attending their International Forum. The event will be hosted by veteran TV journalist and new presenter Martyn Lewis.
Further information and an application form is available on the website.
SERCO Funding
Just to let you all know that of the £10,000 Serco donates to the Award each year, £6,482 is still available for funding disadvantaged young people including young offenders.
As you may be aware, we have £1000 allocated to Wales to pass onto groups which I’m sure would make an enormous difference.
All we need is a handwritten letter from leaders with photographs and stories about how the money would change lives/give young people opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have had.
If you would like to apply for some SERCO funding, please forward your information to Steph.
Residential Opportunities
The City and County of Swansea are running 2 Residentials during 2007. The dates of the Residentials are 3-7 and 9-13 April and will be taking place at the Gower Activity Centre, Swansea. Activities include, surfing, teambuilding, navigation, rockclimbing, abseiling and much, much more. For further information, programme and application forms please contact Seb Haley at Seb.Haley@swansea.gov.uk or visit the Gower Activity Centre at www.goweractivitycentre.org.uk.
Tall Ships
Tall Ships have found some restricted funds that can be used for young people nationally - so all voyages in November and December are available to the young people for only £50 + insurance and travel to/from the ships.
Can you find some 16-17 year olds for the youth voyages and 18-25 year olds for the adult voyages?
Ideally, the young people should be disadvantaged so that Tall Ships can use their funds to help top up their contribution to the original voyage fee.
For further information please contact Chas Cowell on 02392 832055 or chas.cowell@tallshops.org
Change of Date
Please note that the date of the Special Needs in North Wales has changed from the 31st October to the 27th November. Many apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
Dates for the Diary
SEN Seminars South Wales 20/11/06 North Wales 27/11/06
Gold Award Presentations 14th & 23rd November 2006
Wild Country Assessor Accreditation Course 2-4th February 2006
Rescue and Emergency Care (REC) 1st Aid 9/10th December, Craig y Nos Country Park.
BELA Courses
We will not be running a BELA course this year, however there are several providers who are.
MW Guiding Services - please contact Mike Lloyd Wood on 01443 453494 or email mwguiding@cix.co.uk or click here to view the website.
RCTraining – Please contact Robert Clapham on 01792 865139
Caerphilly CBC – Please contact Richard Batten on 01495 200113
Flintshire CC – Please contact Bill King on 01352 758139
Of course, there are other providers who will be running BELA courses throughout Wales.
Plas y Brenin
Please remember that Plas y Brenin continue to run many subsidised training events for Award Leaders. For further information please contact Helen Barnard on 01690 720214.
Talking to parentsThanks to the generosity of The Pears Foundation, we have been able to produce a new range of materials to be used when speaking to the parents of prospective Award Participants. We have been able to carry out research with groups of parents, both of participants and non-participants, throughout the country. The focus groups looked at attitudes to and knowledge of the Award, as well as feelings about existing leaflets for parents. Parents had strong opinions about how they would like to have the information delivered to them. The concept of having a parents’ evening where they could ask questions and have their fears relieved, and meet the Award Leaders involved, was seen as the most popular approach. Working alongside The Response Team – an agency with a lot of multi-cultural experience – and working parties consisting of Award Officers, leaders and parents, we have been able to develop this new range of material. Many of the items can be adapted by individual Award Leaders or Operating Authorities to use within their individual groups and/or their local communities.
The new range of material includes leaflets and PowerPoint presentations. Printed copies of the generic leaflets are available from The Award Scheme Ltd (www.theaward.org/shop - 0131 553 5280 - asl@theaward.org)A wide range of templates of these new items, for use by Award Groups and Operating Authorities, can be found at: www.theaward.org/downloads - please complete the brief registration form and then follow the link to the download site. A collection of new photographs and detailed guidance for using the templates will be posted on the same site next week
MLTA Autumn Conference 11th November 2006
The MLTA is the association for all mountain leaders and supervisors who are registered with Mountain Leader Training within the UK and Eire.
The MLTA autumn conference will be hosted by Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre.
Based on member’s responses the provisional program for leaders includes the following subject areas:
Best practice in mountain and crag leadership
Teaching of navigation skills
Multi-pitch climbing skills
The National Navigation Award Scheme
Rope-work for Mountain Leaders
The Higher Awards (IML, MIA & MIC); How to achieve them
Coaching climbing movement skills
Incident reports and lessons learned
The MLTA Conference is supported by the National Mountain Centres - Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge, AMI, BAIML, MLTE, MLTW & MLTUK who will provide the workshop leaders.
The cost of the conference will be £40 for members of MLTA. Non-members - £50. Non-members attending on the day will be eligible for a £10 discount if they join MLTA subsequently.
The Sunday following the Conference is intended to be a less formal day spent on the excellent mountains and cliffs of Snowdonia for both candidates and workshop providers.
MLTA members who book early will have the chance to win a valuable prize; a day of free instruction or guiding for themselves and a friend by a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors who are supporting this event. Date to be agreed later.
MLTA members who get one or more non-members to book at the same time will receive a £5 reduction in their next annual subscription.
A Conference programme and booking forms are available at www.mlta.co.uk
Canoeing Activity on the River Thames
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expects all Operating Authorities and their staff / volunteers to follow the safety advice and guidance of any government agency or national governing body.
The following statement outlines the Awards policy for operating on the River Thames whilst under the warning board system which is detailed below:
These guidelines appertain to the River Thames only.
The following operational guidelines must be adhered to
Yellow Boards –No Award ventures including journeying may take place this includes training, practice and qualifying ventures. However site specific activities with appropriate risk assessments may take place i.e. weir work. If during the activity the status changes to Red Boards follow Red Board advice.
Red Boards – no Award Activity will take place.
The Award will be in consultation with the BCU, ALAA and the Environment Agency to explore criteria when activities could take place when red boards are displayed.
Loops and Links
If you are planning a venture around Merthyr/ Rhondda Valleys you might find this website most useful. www.loopsandlinks.co.uk It gives information on the wildlife in this area, outdoor centres and accommodation, ideal for both expeditions and explorations. There is also a resource available detailing a number of routes suitable for day walks and expeditions.
