Adults in Scouting are from all walks of life. Yet the one thing they share is the enjoyment of helping young people reach their potential. You may not be aware of the following facts:

• None of our Leaders are paid – they are all volunteers.

• The majority of our Leaders have full time jobs and a family.

• 44% of our Leaders are female.

• Leaders get involved because they want to have fun and make new friends themselves.

• Leaders don’t have to be ‘superheroes’ who know everything. They are given FREE training on the job and learn new skills as they go along. The one thing that unites our Leaders is the energy and enthusiasm they have for giving young people the adventure of Scouting.

• The Scout Association's Award Winning Adult Training Scheme is available FREE to all adults in Scouting, and there is the opportunity for adults to work towards an externally recognised qualification through the training they do in Scouting.  The National Open College Network (the UK's foremost provider of accreditation services for adult learning) provides national qualifications and programmes in a wide range of subject areas and offers a local accreditation service through the OCNs. Adults in Scouting can work towards gaining one of two awards appropriate to their role

  • The Awards on offer

    There are currently two full awards on offer:

• Providing Voluntary Youth Services is aimed at Section Leaders and those working directly with Young People and is a full award at Level 2 (see below for an explanation of levels)

• Managing Voluntary Youth Services is aimed at those in management roles in Scouting such as Commissioners and Group Scout Leaders. It is also a full award at Level 2.

• Whilst all our volunteers are passionate about what they do, many help out on a flexible basis due to other commitments. Some may help out once a week or fortnight whereas others help once a term or at summer camp.

• 27% of volunteers help out in Scouting as they are a parent of a current Member.  Many were not Scouts when they were young but have learnt new skills and made new friends through Scouting.

• Not all volunteers have to wear uniform.

• Many of our adult volunteers say they are more confident in their everyday lives as a result of their involvement with Scouting.

• Not all adults who volunteer for Scouting work with young people. There are a variety of other jobs that need to be done such as fund raising or general building maintainance. .

• All our Leaders are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy while taking part in Scouting.

• New Leaders in Scouting go through a criminal records check to ensure they are fit to work with young people.

Everyone has something to give

You may feel that you have no skills to offer Scouting - but everyone has something to give.  Doing things such as making squash and organising games means the Leader has more time to spend with the young people. Do you have any hobbies and interests that you could share? For example, are you a qualified First Aider who could run an interactive session or do you have an interest in nature and could take a Group on a fun walk through the local woods? If you don’t have time in the evenings when Groups meet could you use your work skills to help out a few hours a month to suit you? 

What you can get out of volunteering

Volunteering in Scouting is fun and rewarding. You will have the chance to learn new skills, rediscover adventure, make new friends, (spend more time with your child if they are a member of Scouting) and give something back to your community.

At Nailsworth and Forest Green Scout Group we would like to hear from anyone who is interested in helping with:

• The Beaver Scout Section (aged 6 - 8)
• The Cub Scout Section (aged 8 - 10)
• The Scout Section (aged 10 - 14)
• The Group's Fund-raising 
• Maintenance of our Headquarters

For more information or to talk more about how you could get involved in Scouting call Group Scout Leader David Golding on 01453 833054 or Scout Leader Ashley Cooke on 01453 834780