Information for parents considering volunteering

The primary reason for our waiting list is a lack of adult volunteers.

If you are a parent or carer of a young person on the 7th Bristol Scout Group waiting list you may wish to consider volunteering on a regular basis in order to increase your child’s priority on the waiting list. In line with our local District waiting list policy and waiting list update we give priority to children whose parents/carers are able to volunteer on a regular basis.

What does being a volunteer on a regular basis mean?

Essentially it means you will train to become a uniformed Leader or Assistant Leader. It sounds serious but it’s incredible fun and very rewarding.

You can read what others have to say about being a volunteer in scouting in this useful BBC News article.

Am I capable of doing this?

Only you can answer that question, but if you are a parent or carer of young children (Beavers start at age 6) you’re almost certainly capable! All you need is energy and enthusiasm. You don’t need to be able to commit every week, flexible volunteering enables you to help us around your family and work commitments.

What would I be expected to do?

Working with other adult volunteers, many of whom are parents themselves, you will help plan and deliver activities for the weekly meetings based on a rolling programme. You will attend and lead the weekly meetings alongside the other adult volunteers plus some parent helpers to ensure adequate numbers. Often this on a rota basis so you would not necessarily be committed every single week. Within 6 months you will complete the basic (and fun!) training to become a Leader or Assistant Leader in the appropriate section (Beavers, Cubs or Scouts – typically Beavers to start). All training is online with some additional classroom-style sessions such as First Aid. It is not onerous. On completion you receive the coveted Wood Badge.

 

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