As part of our spotlight series celebrating inspirational young people across the Scouting family, we caught up with Izzy Hooper, whose dedication, energy and impact at every level of Scouting truly stand out.
Interview with Izzy Hooper: “Scouting is just part of who I am”
How did you first get involved in Scouting?
I started when I was six, in Beavers. A couple of friends from school were going, and my parents just asked if I wanted to give it a try. I said yes, and it stuck. I’ve come all the way through since then. Scouting is such a unique experience. Other clubs often have one specific focus, but Scouting is all-round, there’s so much variety and opportunity.
What keeps you involved?
Honestly, a refusal to say no! But really, it’s the people. You can go to amazing events, Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, but they’d be dull without the people and the vibe. At camps, it’s not just the activities that make it great, it’s the time spent with others and the conversations you have.
Tell us about your current Scouting roles.
At group level, I’m a Scout Section Team Member and Trustee. That’s my regular weekly work, planning activities, writing risk assessments, organising camps and expeditions etc…
At area level, I am a Team Member for the Communications, IT and Digital Team where I help with the socials, website and newsletter.
I’m also involved in the Lord Mayor’s Own, at Area level, supporting young people at civic and national events, like the National Service of Remembrance for Wales, St David’s Day, Merchant Navy Day, and Commonwealth Day.
I was part of the Lord Mayor’s Troop as a young person and now I’m on the leadership team. It’s an invite-only group, and you do a year’s service after achieving a top award. I’ve earnt all the top awards, so I did four years and now support as a leader, this is probably year five, six or seven for me!
At the UK level, I’m part of the King’s Scout Working Party (KSWP) where I have supported events like the Scouts annual Day of Celebration and Achievement at Windsor Castle – helping with registration, logistics, and general support on the day. I’ve also been involved with the Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London, the National Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey and a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Coming up I will be at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
You’re also a musician – tell us about that.
I play the violin in the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra (NSGSO). It’s a one-week course each year, with nine hours of rehearsals a day and concerts at the end, so it’s pretty intense! This year is the 50th anniversary of the orchestra and 10th anniversary of the National Scout and Guide Concert Band (in its current format), and we performed two joint concerts at Nottingham Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall, the latter is where I graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire so I was familiar with the setting which helped with the nerves!
What are your standout Scouting moments?
My Windsor Parade in 2022, when I got my Queen’s Scout Award, that stood out, even though I actually achieved it in 2020 and COVID delayed everything. The same happened with my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I had it all signed off the week before the first lockdown but went to my Buckingham Palace Garden Party in 2022.
My first NSGSO course in 2019 was also a highlight. And international trips stand out too, Switzerland in 2017 to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, and Germany last September to Burg Rieneck, a 12th-century castle that’s their national Scout and Guide centre. Staying in a castle for a week was incredible.
In 2023 I got presented with a Commissioner’s Commendation for saving someone’s life at a national Student Scout and Guide Organisation event I was running. This award meant everything to me as it felt as if I was recognised for my contributions. This award only ever gets presented when someone has truly done something that stands out, it is not something that has a set criteria that anyone can just work on.
Another highlight was a much more recent joint Scout and Guide event where I had the opportunity and honour to present a very close friend of mine a very prestigious award, Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East County’s highest award for meritorious conduct, the Lily Award.
Your Scouts of the World Award project is inclusion-based. What are your thoughts on inclusion in Scouting?
My sister has profound and multiple learning disabilities, so I’ve always had an eye for accessibility. When something isn’t inclusive, my instinct is to ask, “Why not?” and “How can we make it work?”
At our group, for example, when we refurbished the hall, we added a ramp and accessible toilet, small things that make a big difference.
I do get frustrated when I see areas that could be improved but don’t have the role or authority to make those changes. I’ve been discussing ideas with ScoutsCymru, and we’ve talked about different strands for the future – disability, mental health, LGBTQ+, religion, and the Welsh language.
Thinking about the Welsh language as an example, some of the materials are bilingual – promises for example, but safeguarding cards, training, Scout Laws – they’re not. I’m not saying we should translate everything for the sake of it, but we should identify what would be helpful to be bilingual and what wouldn’t.
What have you learned about yourself through Scouting?
Scouting has taught me confidence and allowed me to be myself. I’ve reached a point now where if I haven’t done a Scouting event for a while for example, I start itching to get involved again. I’m a doer, I like being out there, doing things, not just stuck behind admin. Scouting showed me that this is who I am and what I want to do.
What advice would you give to other young people thinking about national or representative roles?
Take every opportunity you’re offered. A lot of them end when you reach 25 – after that, you can’t do things like certain KSWP Events anymore. Say yes but know your boundaries. Don’t burn out. It’s okay to say no, but think carefully first, so you don’t regret it later. Work towards your top awards, they open doors. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.
