Did you know that ScoutsCymru has a team of Scouting Support Officers (SSOs), dedicated to helping groups with everything from ideas on how to recruit more volunteer leaders and young people, to supporting with planning an exciting and varied programme of activities, and even guidance on fundraising for new equipment or hall renovations?
One group currently working with our SSO team is 1st Y Felin Fach (Little Mill) Group, near Pontypool. ScoutCymru’s Josh Biundo visited the group last week to help them to create a plan to enlist more volunteers and young people so that they can offer Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to more young people in the area.
Josh joined the group last week, as current members learned how to light a fire and then cooked bacon and egg sandwiches followed by marshmallows, chocolate and bananas over an open flame.
Josh said: “Thank you to the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and leaders of 1st Y Felin Fach Scout Group for the warm welcome. It was great to experience the fun energy in the group, and I definitely enjoyed learning to build campfires with you.”
He added that any local young person aged 6 to 14 who is looking for fun, to learn new skills and make great friends is welcome to join the group, which meets on a Tuesday from 6pm at Little Mill Village Hall, Berthon Road in Little Mill.
Christine Davy, Group Chair of 1st Y Felin Fach, said: “We would welcome young people and adults to join us and share our exciting programme.” For more information, email c.davy@monscouts.org.uk
Josh explained that helping groups find ways to grow their numbers was one of the most common requests of the Scouting Support Officers. The team has a range of resources and ideas they can share with groups to help them reach out to potential volunteers and connect with young people who might like to try Scouting.
The team also regularly work with groups to develop a programme of fun and exciting age-appropriate activities for the young people, as well as helping with ideas on how to fundraise for hall renovations, new camping or outdoor gear, or other essential equipment. They can offer guidance on finding a new premises, or how best to organise teams of volunteers into positions which best suit their skills… and just about anything else you need support with.
Josh said: “We have a team of four Scouting Support Officers across Wales and with each group having its own challenges and needs, no two days are ever the same. Our job is to support volunteer teams so that they can deliver the best Scouting they possibly can, as smoothly as they can. The great thing about the Scouting family is that we all share our experiences and advice. This means we are all constantly learning from each other and can benefit from tried-and-tested methods. Our volunteers across Wales do an incredible job, but it’s important for them to know we are there for them when they need us.”
Find out more about the Scouting Support team, including how to contact them here.
