Adult Volunteers

Whether you are a, parent of a child in Scouting, a member of Network or someone who is totally new to Scouting you’ve come to the right place.

One of the biggest myths about Scouting is that Groups are closing down due to a lack of young people wanting to become Members. Nothing could be further from the truth; Scouting in the UK is a growing Movement and we currently have 30,000 young people on our waiting lists simply because we do not have enough adults to help out.

2nd St. Ives Sea Scout Group is like a family, everyone is equal (no matter what role you adopt) with one key focus……our Young Members.

Our Volunteering Culture

Scouts actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. No matter where you are, or which team you’re involved in, your time and skills help young people gain skills for life.

By working together, and following our Scouts values, we’ll make sure everyone has a positive, safe and rewarding experience.

Scouting Will:

• Create a welcoming environment, making sure everything we say and do lines up with our Scouts values and Scouts Promise.
• Nurture a caring and inclusive environment, where everybody’s valued for their individual contributions and treated equitably, fairly and with respect.
• Support you to achieve our purpose by working as a team in a positive environment.
• Help you develop your own potential by offering learning opportunities.
• Acknowledge your personal motivation for volunteering and the skills you have to offer.
• Commit to giving you the best volunteer support, which includes resolving any issues with respect and integrity.
• Give you a voice, so you can share your thoughts and ideas. This will help us review and improve our volunteer experience, and we’ll listen to your concerns if things aren’t going well.
• Offer meaningful, relevant, and flexible ways to volunteer. This will be supported by clear guidance of what we’ll require from you, and who you can ask for advice and support.
• Accept that you have other commitments and that your availability may change in the future. We’ll then offer you volunteering options that’ll suit you best.
• Tell you about the wider organisation, so you can appreciate how your contribution makes a difference.
• Make sure finance isn’t a barrier to volunteering

You Will:

• Promote a welcoming and inclusive environment. You’ll make sure our values are part of everything you say and do, and treat everybody equally, fairly and with respect.
• Respect the diversity of our organisation, and accept that people’s beliefs, personal circumstances, and motivations may be different to yours.
• Follow the values, purpose and policies that underpin our organisation, as well as the laws of the country you’re volunteering in.
• Be a great role model in the way you act, and volunteer in line with our values and Scout Promise.
• Communicate openly and respectfully, whether verbal, written or online.
• Be open and honest with your team about your time commitments and let them know if things change.
• Enjoy yourself and have fun while volunteering.
• Develop yourself and be open to new opportunities depending on what your team needs.
• Make sure your learning requirements are met on time.

This means that together, we will:

• Co-operate with each other to make a difference to young people’s lives.
• Know what we expect from each other.
• Listen and respect everybody’s ideas and concerns.
• Feel proud to be part of a diverse and inclusive organisation, which puts into practice what we believe.
• Recognise and celebrate all volunteers for their contributions, regardless of how long they volunteer for or the amount of time they give.
• Make sure volunteering has a positive impact on your wellbeing. When this isn’t the case, we’ll work together to find solutions.
• Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable to share thoughts and ideas. We’ will review how things are going, improve volunteering opportunities and resolve problems fairly.

IMPORTANT: ‘Our volunteering culture’ is a statement of the culture and values we’re seeking to follow and develop. It’s not intended to create conflict with the requirements of Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR), which all volunteers must follow.

Why Help ?

There are many reasons why adults choose to volunteer for Scouting. Here are some that existing volunteers have given:

• To give something back to the community

‘I believe the kids get such a lot out of it; I just put a bit back for what the kids take out.’

• To support the Leaders

‘They give so much, you’ve got to give some of that back.’

• Because volunteering is a ‘good thing’

‘I just personally believe that you should always do some kind of voluntary work…otherwise nothing would get done in this world.’

• As an enabler, so the Leader can do more

‘If I can help our Leaders out by doing the little things, then it means that they have got more time to give the kids and then they get more out of it.’

• To spend more quality time with your child

‘David used to go on his PlayStation while I read the paper after school and work – now we get a chance to do activities together.’

• To develop your own skills

‘I hadn’t used a compass since I was a Scout. After I learned how to use one again, I take one out on family walks.
We get lost less than we used to!’

• To enjoy and rediscover adventure for yourself

‘We had a water fight at Beavers the other week, it was great!’

Chief Scout Bear Grylls says:

‘I wasn’t involved in Scouting until someone asked me and I jumped at the chance. Adventure isn’t just for young people or those of us already wearing neckerchiefs; it’s for everyone. There’s lots of talent among our 800,000 parents. Let’s bring some of that into Scouting. Just ask – that’s all it takes.’