Who we are
Tracy Grant
DofE Manager
I have a strong belief in the DofE Award, and have seen the benefits from participation first hand in my own 3 children. I have been involved as the DofE leader for the Centre since Sept 1996….. I was asked if I would be interested in running the group with 8 participants. We now have around 100 participants every year at all 3 DofE Award levels.
I come from a background of teaching(secondary science and years 3-6 primary) and youth work. I have always had a strong interest in the outdoors and the benefits that being outside and working as a team in challenging circumstances has on young people. It builds their confidence and self-esteem, enhances their risk management and eases their transition into adulthood.
Qualifications
QTS since 1989
Qualified Youth worker since 1989
Mountain Leadership Award(Summer)
32 Hour remote Wilderness first aid certificate
Winter intro to Mountain leadership skills
Climbing Single Pitch Award.
Alpine Ski Leader
MIAS level 1 and 2 cycling leader
Sailing Level 1 and 2
Paddlesport leader
Bushcraft leader
Martin Brown
Volunteer and Chair of trustees
A retired Secondary School teacher from Cambridge, I have over forty years of experience of helping young people develop their walking, mountaineering and expedition skills in both the UK and abroad. I am a qualified Mountain Leader (Summer) and a D of E Assessor at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels of the Award.
Claire Hunter
Volunteer and Trustee
I was initially involved in DofE as a participant completing the awards in an Open Award Centre in Lincolnshire. I then volunteered at and eventually ended up running an Open Award Centre in South Gloucestershire in the late 1990s, which involved me as an assessor for a Gold Residential and Expedition in Canada. I then moved to London and overseas and so that limited my DofE volunteering. Over the last 5 years, I have been supporting DofE in Cambridgeshire as a volunteer leader, assessor and since 2024 as trustee responsible for training and managing silver and gold award expeditions.
My day job is focused on learning and development with an emphasis on leadership development and coaching.
DofE enables me to combine my love for the hills/mountains with my passion for development. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing young people develop self-belief and achieve something they didn't believe they could.
Qualifications:
-
DofE Expedition Assessor - Bronze / Silver / Gold
-
NNAS Tutor
-
Outdoor first aid Qualification
-
Hill and Moorland Leader
-
Mountain Leader (summer)
-
Lowland Leader
-
Camping Leader
-
Mental Health First Aider
.jpeg)
Jonathan Tole
Volunteer and Trustee
I have been involved with DofE since 2016. I was attracted to DofE as I wanted to help make a difference to young peoples futures by supporting them attributes such as resilience, grit, community and commitment.
DofE provided a great opportunity to combine my love of the outdoors and a passion to help others succeed.
Qualifications
NNAS Tutor
Outdoor first aid
DofE Expedition Assessor - Bronze / Silver / Gold
Countryside Leader Award
Undertaking Hill and Moorland Leader qualification
Ted Weber
Volunteer
A retired RAF officer and wildlife conservation practitioner, I have over fifty years of active participation in outdoor activities, particularly mountaineering and walking in the UK and on expeditions abroad. I have been a volunteer leader for the DofE for over ten years and am a strong believer in the value of outdoor experiences in the personal and social development of young people.
Qualifications
Mountain Leader (Summer)
Bushcraft, Survival and Wilderness Living Skills Instructor
Outdoor Emergency First Aid
DofE Assessor at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels of the Award
Leanne Bartlett
Volunteer
I have been teaching in secondary schools since 2003 and volunteering with the DofE in St Ives since 2017. I have a passion for nature and a strong belief in the importance that outdoor pursuits have in the development of self confidence and resilience.
Qualifications
QTS
Outdoor first aid
Countryside Leader Award
DofE Expedition Assessor
Tamsin O'Connell
Volunteer
I’ve been volunteering with the Cambridgeshire DofE Group since 2022, assisting with Training and Expeditions. I love being active in the outdoors, and I volunteer to enable young people to develop their skills, independence and resilience. I got involved because my daughter was doing her Bronze with the group - I was impressed at the organisation and wanted to help. I have carried on because it is great fun!
Qualifications:
* Outdoor first aid
* Countryside Leader Award