About the Open Group
The Southend Duke of Edinburgh Open Group has been active since the 90’s when it was based at the old Focus Youth Centre, but after numbers dropped eventually stopped at the start of the 2000’s. The Open Group was then resurrected around 2008 by a small group of voluntary leaders for young people in the area who couldn’t get a place within the award at their schools. The group first met at at a church in Stornoway Road, before moving to Focus Youth Centre, Shoebury Youth Centre and then its current location at the Southend Civic Centre. Since the formation of the group we have seen hundreds of young people achieve their bronze, silver and gold awards, including some who have completed all 3 levels.
We are still run by a team of experienced voluntary leaders who are all qualified to run, train and assess different sections of the award.
Who Can Join
Although the group was set up originally for young people who couldn’t get a place within their school, we are happy to accommodate all young people who wish to take part in the award. You must turn 14 within the school year start the award, and you must finish the award by your 25th birthday.
When and Where the Group Meet
Our open group meet a couple of evenings a month at the Southend Civic Centre.
Between January and August the meetings are used for training sessions, ready for expeditions. After August and once the expeditions have been completed for the year the meetings are generally ‘drop ins’, so young people aren’t required to attend but it is advisable, as we can answer any questions about each section of the award. We are also on hand to help with eDofE – the online system that tracks the individuals progress.
The meetings between January and August are compulsory as this is when we hold the trainings sessions and route planning sessions.
