Venturewood, the Petty Pool Trust's Cheshire outdoor centre, is now a DofE Approved Activity Provider, running Bronze to Gold expeditions and Gold residentials.

Schools and youth groups in Cheshire have a new place to take young people for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions. Venturewood Outdoor Education Centre, run by The Petty Pool Trust, has been made an Approved Activity Provider for the DofE, which means it can now run expeditions at Bronze, Silver and Gold level and host Gold Residentials.

The DofE is open to young people aged 14 to 24. Every level includes an expedition, and Gold participants also have to complete a residential, so the approval covers the two parts of the award that need an outdoor centre and trained staff behind them.

What the centre will offer

Venturewood works from two sites: Petty Pool, which the trust describes as a dedicated centre for activity-based outdoor education, and Delamere Forest, where its work is run in partnership with Forestry England. The trust says the centre sits in 40 acres of Cheshire woodland.

Groups doing their expedition there will be taught navigation, route planning, first aid, campcraft and cooking, the practical skills an expedition team needs before it is sent out on its own. According to the centre’s own DofE page, instruction and specialist equipment are included, expeditions are offered to schools and groups, and the Gold Residentials (adventure and conservation residentials) are open to individuals.

A group of young people in waterproofs and rucksacks gathered round a map with an instructor on a track through pine trees in Delamere Forest
A Venturewood DofE expedition group checks the map in Delamere Forest. Photo: supplied by The Petty Pool Trust

The new programmes sit alongside what Venturewood already runs: activity days, school residentials and holiday programmes across both sites.

“Trying something completely new”

The team is not new to the award. The trust says Venturewood staff have already supported learners from Petty Pool College through their Bronze and Silver expeditions, and that between them the team has more than 20 years of experience and has worked with over 6,500 children and young people in the past three years.

Alan Cameron, Outdoor Education Manager at Venturewood, said:

“Becoming a DofE Approved Activity Provider is a fantastic achievement for Venturewood and a really exciting opportunity for the young people we work with.

“We’ve seen first-hand the difference these experiences can make. For some young people, completing an expedition means trying something completely new, overcoming challenges they never thought possible and discovering just how much they can achieve.

“We’re passionate about making outdoor education accessible and giving every young person the opportunity to build confidence, develop independence and take pride in their achievements. We’re really looking forward to welcoming more young people to Venturewood as they take on their DofE journey.”

Two young people in red waterproofs and buoyancy aids paddling a pink canoe away from the shore of a lake
Grace Warburton and Katie Seddon-Meek canoeing on their DofE Silver expedition with Venturewood. Photo: supplied by The Petty Pool Trust

Who is behind it

The Petty Pool Trust is a Cheshire charity that creates opportunities for young people and adults with learning disabilities and difficulties to develop skills, build independence and reach their potential. Venturewood describes itself as an inclusive centre, and the trust says its programmes are adapted to different ages, abilities and learning needs.

Earlier this month the trust hosted the Where Possible Happens conference on young people not in education, employment or training at Chester Racecourse.

How to book

Schools, youth organisations and other groups wanting to arrange a DofE expedition, and individuals looking for a Gold Residential, can enquire through the Venturewood DofE page or call the centre on 01606 889097. More about the award itself is on the DofE website.