Welcome to the Dundee Open Award Unit

This section is dedicated to parents, offering an introduction to the Award and the Open Award Unit. If it doesn't answer your questions - please contact us.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a voluntary, non-competitive and flexible programme of cultural and adventurous activities for all young people, whatever their background or ability.

The Award is a four section programme with three levels:

• Bronze (for those aged 14 and over);
• Silver (for those aged 15 and over); and
• Gold (for those aged 16 and over)

The sections involve:

• Service (helping people in the community) click here to learn more about the service
• Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest) click here to learn more about the Skill
• Physical recreation (any sport, dance or fitness activity) click here to learn more about the Physical
• Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback, by boat or cycle) click here to learn more about the expeditions
• Residential Project (Gold Award Only) (a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant) click here to learn more about the residential project

It typically takes a participant between 6-12 months to complete a Bronze Award; 12-18 months for a Silver Award and 18-24 months for a Gold Award.

It may take less time for completion of the Silver or Gold Awards if the participant holds the preceding Award. All Awards must be completed by the participant's 25th birthday

The Duke Of Edinburgh's Award is widely recognised as the top school age activity that employers value - click here to find out more

The Open Award Unit...

Isn't quite like other units spread around the country in that we don't have one central location from which we operate. Our activities generally take place in either Menzieshill Community Centre or the Ancrum Outdoor Centre, occasionally further afield.

The Unit was started by the Local authority over ten years ago, and although now largely run by volunteers, it maintains strong links to Dundee City Council and retains its original purpose.

Throughout Dundee most of the secondary schools offer the Duke Of Edinburgh's Award to their pupils. But for some participants this isn't suitable. It may be that the schools programme of activities doesn't suit their particular requirements or is oversubscribed, for others that have left school, the Open Award Unit is simply the only option left.

The Open Award Unit tries to offer a solution for anyone who approaches us. We are heavily constrained by the capacity of our volunteers, but in most cases our in-house activity courses are only taken up by a small proportion of the participants on our books. For those pursuing activities elsewhere we provide support by offering advice and accreditation for their efforts.

The Open Award Unit is an accredited Unit for the operation of the Award and strives to maintain certain standards of quality, for more information click here

The unit receives no regular financial support for its activities or courses and relies upon contributions from participants, fundraising activities and occasional grant aid. The "staff" are largely comprised of regular committed volunteers. If you can assist us in any way please do contact us, or consider becoming a volunteer yourself.