Welcome!
If you are considering becoming a leader, an assistant, an occasional helper - or have already decided on taking on one of those roles - thank you. Around the country, we have thousands and thousands of young people who want to take part in Scouting but don't yet have a place. Most groups only have waiting lists because they are short of adult leaders, so your contribution will be very valued.
What can I do to help?
Whether you can spare an hour once every few months to test cub scouts on their cookery badge or can come along to every meeting, we appreciate all the help we can get. Everybody brings their own unique skills and experience to the team.
Occasional Helpers
People with particular skills who come along when needed to give those skills directly to the young people. Could you see whether Michael (6) knows enough about his rabbit to get the animal lover badge? Would you be able to grill Penny (14) on her knowledge and skill on the trombone for her music badge? Can you spare an evening every month or so to come to a cub night and run some games? Occasional helpers are very valued for their contribution in whatever time they can spare. It's not necessary to make a promise, there's no need to wear the uniform if you don't want to, but you could be contributing to the development of the young people in our care.
Section Assistant
Each section - beavers, cubs and scouts - has its meetings planned and run by a leadership team. Section assistants are part of this team and provide support to deliver all the aspects of Scouting to the young people. By having a team, we make sure that all the adults contribute to activities which they find enjoyable - if the adults aren't having fun, there's no way the young people can have fun. Section meetings are planned by the whole team to take into account abilities of the young people and skills of the leaders when delivering the programme.
Section Leader
Teams provide a tremendous resource in terms of variety of skills and ideas and each section's leadership team is lead by a section leader who is responsible for providing a balanced programme to the young people in their section. Scouting isn't just about camping; we don't just play football; the young people can't always draw pictures - although all of those play their parts. Each section leader ensures that the programme of activities, indoor and outdoor, provides variety and stimulation.
Support Team
For every leader, assistant and helper who spends their time running meetings for the beavers, cubs or scouts, there's somebody else doing the background tasks. Subscription fees have to be collected and banked, campsites need to be booked, fund-raising organised, equipment bought or repaired - and so the list goes on. The support team don't have direct contact with young people but provide assistance to the leaders so that the time spent with the youth sections is spent giving attention to the young people, not distracted by paperwork.
How do I find the right role?
Consider the amount of time you would like to donate to Scouting and when you can donate it. Would you prefer a role in contact with young people or would you find supporting Scouting in the background more suitable?
I know how I want to help, what's next?
Make contact with the leader of the section you'd like to work with and arrange to pop down and see a meeting - they're all happy to meet prospective volunteers. Nobody will be offended if you come along and decide it's not for you - perhaps you would find a different age group more to your taste, or perhaps a different scout group. Do say, and the leaders can put you in touch with other sections or groups. Each group is different, so you might like to visit a few different groups to see which you feel more comfortable with.
This feels like a big step. Do I get any help?
Yes. Nobody will expect you to do more than you're comfortable with. All our leaders were new to Scouting once (some a long time ago, others more recently) and most have changed role in their time. We can all remember what it's like not quite knowing what's done or where things are. The training scheme is set up to provide knowledge and skills to help adult volunteers - and it's flexible so that you can learn things you need to be an effective leader without being taught things you already know. Don't be put off by feeling that other people know more or have more experience: sometimes what's needed in a section is somebody to ask the question "But why is it done like that?" before we find a better way of doing things!