Week by week, our volunteers empower thousands of young people to learn new skills, make new friends and stand on their own two feet. They’re our everyday heroes. They shape young people’s lives for the better, and find out a whole lot about themselves in the process, too.
Today, there are nearly 60,000 young people on the waiting list to join us in the UK. We’re more relevant and more needed than ever, but it’s not always easy to keep up with the demand.
That’s where you come in.
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 minibus 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.
What Members Say
Paula, Parent Helper
A friend of mine who’s a Beaver leader mentioned she was short of help so I volunteered to give her a hand for a few weeks. I didn’t know much about Scouting, just the old fashioned views most people have. I soon found out what Scouting really is and it’s certainly been an eye-opener. I enjoy it much more than I thought I would.
I made the decision recently to take on the role of permanent Helper for the Colony and haven’t looked back. The most rewarding thing is following the progress and development of the Beavers. They’re with us for two years and it is an amazing journey for them; you see their confidence growing and that’s why I do it.
I have two children so I’m a busy mum. My Scouting commitment is only one hour a week but I get so much satisfaction from it.
Scouting has changed my views on how children can progress and become really confident just by having fun. I now have a totally different outlook on volunteering.
Tina, Group Administrator
I first got involved with Scouting through my daughter. When she joined Beavers, I got chatting to the Chairman of the District at an event. I mentioned that I work in administration, and she said that a Group was looking for someone to help with the administration for the monthly newsletter.
I felt this was something I could do easily, and without committing too much time, so I asked her to tell me a bit more about what it would entail. I now send out the newsletter once it has been written and printed by other volunteers. I like being able to help my daughter’s Group in a way that suits my skills and availability.
Roles
Section Leader
Help deliver skills for life.
Would you like the chance to go camping, climbing, potholing, lead community projects while helping prepare young people with skills for life? As a Section Leader, you will do all of this and more, using your skills and learning new ones. As part of a Scout Group, you will plan and deliver a safe and exciting programme for young people, making sure every young person gets the chance to spend at least one night away each year. You’ll use your energy and creativity to help young people have fun, develop their potential and earn a wide range of badges and awards, including the prestigious Chief Scout Awards. Of course, you won’t have to do this alone – a team of supporters, parents and the young people themselves will help you plan and deliver the programme. But it’s your enthusiasm and sense of fun and adventure that will inspire them.
Group Scout Leader
Small team. Big rewards.
We prepare young people with skills for life. But who supports the volunteers who make this happen? People like you. You can inspire, motivate and plan ahead. You’ll enjoy working with adults and young people in your local area and seeing the impact of your efforts. You’ll be organised, diplomatic and know how to get the best out of people. We’re not going to pretend this is easy. This is a big role. With big rewards. And because you believe in the power of Scouting to help more young people you’ll know it’s all worthwhile. Sound like you? Great. Let's talk.
Section Assistant
Make a bird box; transform a future.
Would you like the chance to canoe, climb and make bird boxes while improving your CV? As a Section Assistant in a Scout Group, you will do all of this and more, using your current skills and learning new ones. We now need a fun, committed person to support young people, helping run games and activities as part of weekly meetings. As part of a small team, you will plan and deliver a safe and exciting programme for young people, helping them achieve badges and awards. Enthusiasm, an empathy with young people and a sense of humour are a must. But we can teach you the rest. We’ll support you all the way and ensure you get the training and support you need.
Group Treasurer
We're counting on you!
Do you have a good head for numbers without losing sight of the big picture? If so, we could use your talents to help transform the lives of young people in your area. Nene Valley Scout Groups need a strong team player with excellent judgement, analytical and organisational skills to join an Executive Committee. We’ll provide excellent training and support. You will help manage and monitor the financial activities of the Group, acting as Treasurer. You will prepare and present financial reports and accounts and while supporting budgets and financial planning process in accordance with legal regulations. With excellent IT skills and the ability to summarise and communicate complex financial information, you will also be willing and eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
Activity Permit Holder
A vital part of Scouting is adventure.
All adventurous activities carry a degree of risk, but that risk is minimised through proper supervision. Many Scouting adventures must thus be led by trained permit holders. If you are skilled in archery, caving, climbing, hill walking, powerboating, shooting, snow-sports, water activities or other adventurous activities you will be well-aware of the excitement involved. If you would like to pass this excitement on to young people, boost their confidence and change their lives, we’d love to know.
Group Chairperson
This could be your best decision yet.
Scouting relies on strong leadership. So if you can motivate others, keep a cool head and balance a variety of views then you would be an ideal chairperson for a Scout Group. With an experience of steering meetings to produce excellent decisions, you’ll be equally willing to speak your mind as encouraging others to express their views. You will use your strong communication skills help to help a team of committed adult volunteers who make up an Executive Committee arrive at a good decision that will benefit young people. Able to work as part of a team, you will also contribute to the direction and development of a Group. No previous experience of Scouting is necessary. What’s more important is your own skills and experience as well as empathy with our mission and values. We will provide all appropriate training and ongoing support.
Group Administrator
More comfortable behind the scenes?
Believe it or not, you don’t have to work with children to be a volunteer for Scouting. Scout Groups need someone to help with the planning and administration. Things like organising trips and outings, making telephone calls and keeping records of who has what badges. It’s a vital job that means the adults working in the Group have more time to spend at what they do best: working with the children. If you could give a few hours a month to help out please have a chat with us.
Four Week Challenge
An open ended volunteering commitment can be a scary thing. You might not know much about Scouting, so agreeing to volunteer in itself can be a huge leap. You may be unsure whether you will enjoy it; you may well feel out of your comfort zone and might be equally worried about letting the leader down.
That’s why we have the Four Week Challenge. It is a time specific volunteering commitment for those interested in supporting young people, staggered, as the name suggests, over four weeks.
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Week 1 - See what we get up to
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Week 2 - Start to help out
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Week 3 - Get a little more involved
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Week 4 - You'll know if Scouting is for you
After the four weeks you will know if Scouting is for you. However, if you find the commitment to weekly meetings is too much there are other alternatives where you can help out. You can help out once a month, help on weekend activities, perhaps you have a skill at taking minutes or looking after accounts. Groups need members on the executive committee to help the group run smoothly behind the scenes.
Chris is a parent of a Cub and offered to step forward to take on the four week challenge.
"If there’s one thing that these four weeks have taught me, it’s that young people don’t need much to have a good time. A little structured activity and a lot of access to the great outdoors is a powerful combination.
Often a helper’s role is just to talk to the children, help them with the activity and just provide a friendly, reassuring presence. You don’t need amazing Scouting skills or knowledge, just a willingness to get involved, try new things and have fun yourself. And it really is true what they say – seeing the children’s smiles at the end of a meeting is an amazing reward." - Chris
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Thank you for your enquiry! We will be in touch to start your Scouting Adventure.