Our New Website is Live…for up to date information visit www.awardsplus.org.uk

We’re changing our name!

From June 2023, Friends of the Award is now Awards Plus…

Please bear with us as we make the changeover – new name, new logo, new branding, new website

Awards Plus: youth awards for young people looking for extra help

• Nature-based youth awards – Open Programme
• Expeditions
• 1:1 Mentoring support

Open Programme:

Opportunities, guidance and direct delivery – with personalised, practical support – including

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (including eDofE, Sections, Expeditions) John Muir Award, Junior Award Scheme for Schools/JASS and others
• Skills-based awards including Ramblers Scotland’s Out There Award, Lowland Leader Award, National Navigation Award Scheme
• Expeditions Programme for individuals, focused on DofE Bronze, Silver, Gold Levels [2023 dates tbc]
• Drop-in sessions for individual support, sharing, skills/award-related inputs
• Themed initiatives – participation, pointers
• Signposting to activity, training and volunteering opportunities

For young people aged 14-25, from Edinburgh & The Lothians, who may be missing out on opportunities due to

• practical, logistical, financial reasons
• additional support needs
• reasons associated with mental health & wellbeing

Expeditions – Dates TBC

1:1 Mentoring support

Tailored 1:1 mentoring support is available for young people experiencing mental health difficulties who are open to outdoor activity opportunities and youth awards involvement. It’s accessed through referrals from Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and other mental health support services, including community organisations and schools.

Junior Award Scheme for Schools

JASS is an inclusive, easy-to-access award scheme hosted by Awards Plus. It provides a holistic framework for a wide range of learning experiences to encourage, capture and recognise achievement.

JASS is a simple certificate-based award, progressing over eight levels with an increased time commitment at each coloured level. There’s no set time limit to complete the award, no accreditation or evidencing needed. Starting and finishing can be at any time to suit pupils, educators and school needs.

“JASS is fantastic at providing a goal centred individual programme and allows pupils to reflect. It encourages a growth mindset and self-confidence.”

Support Us

Volunteer Adults with a wide range of skills are welcome to assist with leading Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Groups and Expeditions, to help in our Kit Store and other opportunities.

Donate Our work relies on fundraising and charitable donations. Please contact us to discuss donating, fundraising or grant funding.

Partner We’re open to ideas for joint working. Contact us to discuss your ideas.

Contact: admin@fota.org.uk

Thanks to our Funders and Partners