This in from Malcolm Cox on behalf of Isle of Wight Scouting. Ed
Isle of Wight Scouts are stepping into the breach to take advantage of the opportunities for Young People left by the IW Council’s reduction of support to youth organisations.
As part of a move to outsource Youth Services, IW Council have awarded funds to 11 organisations including Island Scouts.
A unique role for a unique person
Isle of Wight Scouts Media Development Manager Malcolm Cox had this to say about the funding,
“The Isle of Wight Council and the National Headquarters of the Scouting Association have awarded Island Scouts grants to enable us to employ a Regional Development Officer to promote Scouting here on the Island. This will be the first paid role for a Scout on the Island, and their role will include helping to recruit more Scouts, Leaders and Helpers. We’re looking now to find a unique person to fill this unique role.
“The occupant of the new role will also be expanding our inclusivity as part of our ‘Access All Areas’ initiative. Our Island Community is not as diverse as many mainland communities, but we welcome everyone into the Scout movement. Many of our Group Headquarters buildings are access-friendly, and we will also be looking to help improve access to other buildings. We will also be looking to bring Scouting into communities we are not currently involved with.
Isle of Wight Scouts have started the new year by raising their profile on the Island and pointing to the fact that they are very much an organisation on the up and up. The movement on the Island has grown year on year since 2007 with currently 1,500 Scouts on the Island.
“In 2007 Scouting underwent a change in its’ image, with changes to uniform, program and community involvement. Now we’re looking for more change in a “Vision towards 2018”. Our Young People are now involved with shaping the future of Scouting so that they become better prepared to be an active part of their Community, making them feel Empowered, Valued and Proud. At our recent “Walkie Talkie Choo Choo” event, 250 Island Scouts gave us over 1,000 suggestions of how they would like to see Scouting grow.
“In addition to seeking to recruit new members, the organisation wants extra leaders and helpers to step forward too. Official estimates show as many as 1 in 10 of the UK population have been involved with Scouting at some time and we’re hoping to appeal to ex-Scouts who would like to pass on their Scouting experience. We are also keen to hear from non-Scouts who can bring fresh ideas to Scouting. Our flexible volunteering scheme caters for a range of committment from leaders who spend a few hours a week through to occasional helpers who can only spare a few hours now and again. Our Scouting Active Support units provide a way that adults can help out occasionally at camps, events and meetings as basically “part-time Scouts.”
Get involved
It doesn’t matter if you’re a retired Scout leader with over 30 years experience or if you’re happiest making a cup of tea and slicing a cake, whatever committment you can make, we are flexible in making the best use of that time for the benefit of our Young People.
If you’re interested in joining us as a Scout or as an adult leader, helper or Scouting Active Support member, more information is available at www.isleofwightscouts.org.uk or nationally at www.scouts.org.uk or call us on our hotlinefor a chat: 07749 432289. Or you can see the public face of Island Scouting at our new Facebook page “IW Scouts Access All Areas”.
