Volunteering with Scouts is rewarding. But what's the real impact to Volunteers? Research has shown that volunteering has a hugely positive impact on the lives of those who volunteer in the charity sector. In aid of Volunteers Week we want to recognise the incredible work that Scouts volunteers do. Whether you're a Group Scout Leader, Occasional Helper or an As-Often-As-You-Can-Er!
Scouting gives young people aged between 6 and 25 years old the opportunity to discover just what they can do and what they can achieve. From spending their first night away from home to planning an international expedition, the unique experiences Scouts of all ages enjoy help them to realise their full potential and set them up with skills for life.
Scouts are do-ers and give-it-a-go-ers. Yes, we go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing. But we also get to hang out with our friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges.
Everyone’s welcome here. All genders, races and backgrounds. Regardless of your child’s physical ability – there’s a Scout adventure out there waiting for them. And we’ll help them find it.
You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to join us. You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent! Our door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and we’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand. We’re talking about tea makers, tidy-uppers and skill sharers. We’re talking about mini bus drivers and first aiders. We’re talking about students who want to boost their CV, and parents who volunteer so they can spend more time together as a family.
Whatever your skillset, lend a hand for as little or as much time as you can spare, and we promise you’ll get more out than you put in. Because whether you’re helping a leader to run an activity in the local town hall, organising a night away, or buttering 120 slices of bread a group of very hungry eleven year olds - no two Scout meetings are the same. The difference you make, though, is always great.
We provide the training. You show up, get stuck in, and make memories for life.
Sounds fun? Worthwhile? It is!
Opportunities open in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Borders, Midlothian and Pentland.
We believe that successful learners make confident individuals. We challenge our members to set realistic and measurable goals to achieve their full physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual potential.
We offer over 200 different activities at Scouts. From fun-filled thrills and wild adventure, to creative activities and historic learning, there’s something to suit everyone.
Our badges and awards allow Scouts to try new things, find new interests, and demonstrate their progress. They are awarded when a young person has completed a challenging, yet achievable, set of requirements. There are lots of badges and awards to be achieved, including some Scottish specific badges.
You can join Scouting at any stage of your life, from 6 years old and beyond. Many young people are introduced to Scouting by joining Beavers - our youngest age group - and progress through Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers. At 18 young adults can choose to continue the Scouting adventure by joining the Scout Network or stay on as an adult volunteer. Others join at a later stage.
When people like you play their part, it changes young people’s lives. But volunteering’s also about doing something that’s good for your health and happiness, good for developing skills, and good for making friends.
According to the research, the majority of volunteers reported having improved life satisfaction (70%) and self-esteem (66%) since beginning volunteer work, as well as having reduced feelings of loneliness (42%) and stress (33%).
Nearly two thirds (65%) also said that since beginning volunteer work they have developed useful employability skills; with 59% saying they feel more confident and 54% feeling more motivated in their jobs.
UK Chief Commissioner Tim Kidd said, ‘I’m acutely aware of the importance of the millions of volunteers in the UK who give up their time every single day to help others. With the majority of volunteers saying they feel more motivated, confident and more skilled as a result of the work they do with us, it’s not just those they’re helping who benefit.
Steve Reed, Shadow Minister (Civil Society) said, ‘A huge congratulations to the community heroes who deliver Scouting locally, week in, week out. Employers should do all they can to support their staff to volunteer with such fantastic organisations like Scouting. Not only does it benefit the communities they are based in, it leads to healthier, more motivated workforce.’
