Rhian’s last update was the end of December. So much has happened since then, including her announcement that she stands down as Chief Volunteer for Wales in September 2025. In this video, Rhian focuses on everything that’s been achieved so far in 2025 as well as sharing what’s coming up next in the 100 year celebrations. There are English and Welsh subtitles on the video, which you can access from the settings icon in the bottom right of the video player.
Spring has sprung and finally we are seeing some nicer weather. We’ve kicked off our celebrations for 100 years of the Welsh Scout Council and we’ve named a train after Scouts Cymru and superstar volunteer Gill Clay, a Silver Wolf holder and grand daughter of Baden Powell. We’ve also represented world scouts at a the Founders Day Service in Westminster Abbey. Looking ahead to June, we’re going to ask you to join us for a 100 years birthday party and to share your pics of your tea parties with us. We’ll have a happy birthday moment at Cub Fun Day that we’d like you to join via Live feed on out socials. I’ve been promised cake!
The planning for the fully funded international trip to Bavaria is going well, we’re giving people who may never have considered a trip abroad the opportunity with Scouts Cymru in August. We’re also getting closer to Awesome, our Explorer event in June.
It has been an absolute privilege to hold this role for nearly seven years and I have been constantly amazed and delighted at the work we do across Wales to support young people with skills for life. There are so many memories from this role that I hold dear from the great things we have done to support volunteers and young people, as well as the many lessons I have learned as we navigated our way through challenges including a pandemic, a personal health change and the refocus on POR with compliance and assurance.
This includes enabling Wales to have a stronger voice in the staff and volunteer discussions at UK; developing the leadership structure in ScoutsCymru with a trio approach and our annual leadership weekends and planning; a focus on celebrating our volunteers; helping to change the perception of Scouting in Wales and getting a ScoutsCymru / Gill Clay train running around the GWR network.There is still lots more to do and plenty of things that I haven’t been able to progress as much as I hoped, and I am excited to see what happen next with the energy, passion, experience and knowledge the new role holder will bring. The search is on for the next Chief volunteer for Wales. I will always be a Scout, there is plenty to do, and there is always a role for everyone in Scouts – and while I will take a back seat in Wales for a while, I will remain a cheerleader and advocate for the brilliant work we do.
I still have just over six months in this role and will focus on celebrating what we do and the people that do it, including our 100 year moments, birthday parties in June and our award holders at Windsor; having an amazing Cub Fun Day and Awesome Explorer event; supporting recruitment and strong foundations for areas and districts; and making sure volunteers have the support they need to deliver brilliant Scouting for young people all over Wales.
Thank you for being you and what you do.
Keep being brilliant!
