ScoutsCymru senior volunteers, trustees and staff headed to Birmingham at the weekend for Summit25, the national Scouting conference. More than 650 members from across the country focused on what we have achieved as a movement through our Skills for Life strategy, as well as what we want to achieve with Scouting’s next strategy, which will start in 2026.
Rhian Moore, Chief Volunteer for Wales, was one of more than 30 people from Wales who attended the weekend and said it was a reminder of “why we find time in our busy lives to volunteer”.
She said delegates heard from “brilliant people” whose insight and experiences helped “to inspire us, to shape our thinking and to give us clarity on the part we can play in society to support young people”.
This included Mark Russell, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society who “opened our eyes on the childhood happiness recession and the increasing failure of society as a whole to look after young people”; as well as Darren Edwards, an adaptive adventurer, who shared his story of overcoming adversity with a positive mindset. He reminded attendees that “not all leaders lead from the front; you lead from the qualities that make you shine”.
One of the weekend’s most inspiring talks came from Dwayne Fields, the new Chief Scout who reminded everyone that “Volunteering is kindness in action”; and that “together we are part of the change for all our futures”.
Rhian said: “This weekend has reminded me why I sit on Teams calls in the evenings, spend Sunday mornings answering emails, tromp around Wales and up to Gilwell Park for events and meetings, and spend time working with brilliant people to do stuff that helps young people be amazing, building #SkillsForLife for their futures.”
She added: “If you fancy joining in and sharing your skills and experiences with others, I’m always up for a chat and there’s always a place in Scouts for people who want to help to make a difference.”
Find out how you could make a difference to young people in Wales here
