Happy #InternationalWomensDay! Today is time to celebrate women’s achievements, take action against inequality, and work for an inclusive world. Today we are looking to the future and celebrating the young female leaders involved in Scouting in Wales. Scouts provides girls and young women with the confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills to create a more equal world.
My main role in Scouting is as a Trustee for ScoutsCymru, the Board’s role is to shape and approve the strategy of ScoutsCymru and monitor our performance against that strategy. My responsibility is to ensure that across the whole of Wales Scouting delivers a high-quality programme to all young people helping them develop to the best of their potential so that they can take a constructive place in society. I work to make sure our Board is inclusive, representative of our organisation and that we make the best decisions in the interests of young people.
In ScoutsCymru in 2020 I developed and delivered the Grow to Lead programme and Award, a new leadership development award for young people ages 16-25, through my Scouts of the World Award. Grow to Lead is focussed on transferable leadership skills and guides the participants to develop themselves personally and professional in any field they may choose. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to develop this programme, but even more grateful to enable more young people to develop themselves in a novel way. Through my Scouts of the World Award I also developed a passion for in project and event management, which is directly shaping my career.
Outside of Scouting, I am the Head of Events for the Future Leaders Network, a not-for-profit aimed at discovering and developing the next generation of social, political and economic leaders. In this role, I sit on the Senior Leadership Team, create, develop and deliver a national calendar of major events and led a team to create amazing experiences for young people aged 18-30. My Scouting experiences directly led me to my Future Leaders Network role and have given me the skills and knowledge I need to do my job well.
In my day job, I work for the Future the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, and in what is left of my free time, I love being outdoors, rowing, playing ultimate frisbee and hiking.
My name is Maddie Malpas, I am 15 years old. I have been in Scouting since I was 10 years old, I joined the Scout section and fell in love with Scouting and everything it has to offer. I am now an Explorer and a young leader. I volunteer at the local Scout section once a week. Some of my favourite experiences during my Scouting journey so far include all Wales Scout camp, alternative monopoly run in London and my Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. I am currently working towards my silver award. I love volunteering because I like giving back to Scouting and sharing my experiences with others.
Outside of Scouting I am a triathlete. I train every day with a combination of running, swimming and static/road bike depending on the weather. Last September I completed the Carten challenge which is a 108 mile ride from Cardiff to Tenby. This was part of my physical section for my silver Duke of Edinburgh. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge so much so I have signed up again to do it this year in May.
I am also a member of the Welsh youth parliament, representing Islwyn. I was elected in December and am now serving a 2 year term. We recently voted on our main priorities which are mental health and wellbeing, the environment and the climate and school and the curriculum. We will work on these over the term. When deciding on our priorities each member gave a speech on what is important to them, I did mine on the effects of mental health on young people.
I am a pupil at Cwm Rhymni, where I learn through the medium of Welsh. I am studying computer science, drama and history as well as the core subjects. I am very passionate about the Welsh language and am planning to attend university after my A levels.
I have recently been selected to attend the World Scout Jamboree in Korea in 2023, this is a great honour. I am looking forward to this great adventure and am now working on fundraising towards the experience.
