Facts about adults in Scouting
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
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
- 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 gardening and
general DIY, organising events, doing the accounts and writing press
releases. This means that adult Leaders who do work directly with young
people do not have to spend all their time doing paperwork.
- 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? Are you a gardener, an accountant or work in Public
Relations for example or could you take a Group to your place of work
such as a police station or garden centre?
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 Scout and give something back to your
community.
Related Links
Why help?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you help?