This Mother’s Day we want to celebrate all of the fantastic mums who are a part of ScoutsCymru! You’re hard work, dedication, and care is what helps us to make Scouting in Wales such a fantastic environment for our young people.
We caught up with Elen Chick, who alongside being a mum plays an integral role in Scouting in her area, to hear about her experience being a mum in Scouting.
What is your role within Scouting?
I have a few! My main role is as Scout Leader for 1st Machynlleth Scouts and Assistant Explorer Leader for Dyfi Valley ESU. I’m also AAC Scouts and ESL(Young Leader) for Montgomeryshire. I’m really proud to be running the Young Leaders Awards training for Montgomeryshire!
Do you have a day job?
I work for Powys County Council Youth Service, as part of the Open Access team. I am a school-based Youth Worker supporting young people’s social and emotional wellbeing in two secondary schools in the of North Powys.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have three children, two boys and a girl who are 18, 15, and 17 years old.
Are they members of Scouts?
All of us are involved in scouting.
Do you get to spend time with them in a Scouting environment?
Like many parents, I joined Scouts to help set up the Scout section when our local group reformed in 2013 just as an “occasional helper”. Our Group Scout Leader, Julieann Evans, is very good at talking you into roles and I have been running the Scout section for the last 7 years. I helped set up our Explorer section with my husband when the first cohort of Scouts were old enough to move up.
During this time, I have been able to spend a lot of time with my own children on adventures, camping, day trips, and jamborees helping them work towards their top awards and helping to relaunch the Duke of Edinburgh Award for our town. My oldest son was due to complete his Queen Scout Award last year but now has to wait to complete his gold expedition and residential until the restrictions are lifted. It will be Machynlleth’s first Queen’s Scout award since about 1974.
What is your favorite part about your role in Scouting?
Learning by doing and being outside. Being dyslexic and a youth worker I understand the benefits of learning by doing and how by making mistakes, and learning to be reflective, with the support of a trusted adult to guide you, can have a massively positive impact on a young person’s mental health, self-esteem, and confidence. This experience can be amazing to be part of for my own children and the other members young and old. You’re never too old to learn something new.
How do you balance being a mum, your day job, and your scouting commitments?
It hasn’t been easy as I have also been completing an OU degree during this time, but you have to make the time and for me Scouting has been my form of mindfulness. It is not only a great opportunity for young people to gain skills for life but for leaders too. I have learnt so much along the way and I work with a fantastic group of volunteers.
How has Scouting helped you and your children during the pandemic?
As a group we were able to move very quickly to online Scouting and for our Explorer Unit we have had a full turn out nearly every week. As many of them attend different schools it has helped keep them connected, have a laugh, to provide structure to the week and a chance to talk to people outside. Cooking together has been a big highlight for my children and a good life skill to master, plus we have all had a giggle with different quizzes.
Would you encourage other mothers to get involved in Scouting?
There are roles for everyone, from helping with the admin to being face to face weekly or just on certain activities or badges, we all have skills and experiences that can help support the programme. You can meet some amazing people in your own groups or on different camps. The experience has been an enjoyable test to expand my comfort zone from camping in a lime kiln in January or more relaxing experiences like canoeing or the magic of the dawn chorus when you wake up before the rest of the camp. I am looking forward to being face to face again and making more memories for life.
