Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland has been a licenced organisation (LO) for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award since 1960, with many GB companies running the Award scheme as part of their programme.

Young people can take part in the Award at three levels: Bronze, Silver or Gold.  Participants achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if going for Gold).

The main differences between the levels are the minimum length of time it takes to complete each one, how challenging it is and the minimum age young people can start.  Depending on their age, a young person can start at any level, but most people prefer to try for Bronze and work upwards.

Please note you must be a member of Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland to participate in the DofE Award through a GB company.

If your GB company does not run the DofE Award you may be able to join in with another GB company in your local area.

For further information about the DofE Award, click here www.dofe.org

The eDofE system is now the only method available to manage the Award within your GB company.  GBNI staff will be able to help you set up a centre account for your GB company and accounts for all your DofE leaders.  Please note all leaders must have a clear AccessNI check completed before an account can be set up for them.

There are lots of useful help sheets and information on the eDofE system, which you will have access to once you have logged on to your eDofE account.  Your GBNI District DofE Representative and GBNI Staff will also be able to help you with any queries on using the eDofE system and running the Award.

Useful DofE Resources

• Running DofE in GB - a guide for leaders

• DofE website – www.dofe.org

• Expedition Handbook for all you need to know about running the expedition part of DofE.

Training

To help young people through the expedition section of DofE, leaders need to have a relevant qualification. We currently offer the joint BB/GB Expedition and Outdoor Leadership Award, which is run annually. There are two levels within this course - Level 1 enables you to train and supervise groups doing Bronze and Silver DofE; you will need Level 2 for Gold ventures, and you must have completed Level 1 before progressing to Level 2. For more information, see our Training for Leaders handbook in the Leaders' Section.

If you have any queries regarding The Duke of Edinburgh's Award within GB, please contact the DofE Team by emailing martha@gbni.co.uk