As part of our Change Makers | Dyfodol Disglair spotlight series celebrating inspirational young people across the Scouting family, we caught up with Rizik, he’s an Area Youth Lead for Cardiff and Vale.
Hi Rizik!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, I’m Rizik! I’m proud to be the Area Youth Lead for Cardiff and Vale as well as a Cub Leader in Barry. When I’m not doing my ‘one hour a week of Scouting’, you’ll often find me on the squash court, out on the water with friends, or tucked away in a library as I continue my studies as a medical student.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
My favourite part of volunteering is seeing the spark in young people when they achieve something new. There’s nothing quite like the look of pride and satisfaction on a Cub’s face after they’ve mastered chopping wood, found their way with a map, or simply made a new friend at camp. Empowering young people to gain skills for life and friendships that last is what Scouting is all about, and I feel so privileged to be part of that process.
Why did you take on the role of Area Youth Lead?
Taking on the role was a natural step because I wanted to widen my reach. It gives me the chance not only to support more young people, but also to work closely with the adult volunteers who make Scouting possible. My goal is to bridge the gap between youth and adults, making sure young people have the confidence to take the lead while our volunteers feel supported with the skills and methods to facilitate youth-shaped Scouting.
What has Scouting taught you?
Scouting has shown me that leadership is not about doing everything yourself, but about creating the right environment for others to grow. Whether it’s Cubs trying something for the first time or adult volunteers exploring new approaches, I love being part of that.
What are you most excited about for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building a culture where young people’s voices are at the heart of everything we do across Cardiff and Vale.
