{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Words: Annabel Rose | Illustrations: Kerry Hyndman","standfirst":"The idea for 1st Smiles Scout Group began in a youth panel meeting at Nelson\u2019s Journey, a charity supporting bereaved young people across Norfolk. The Group, a collaboration between the bereavement charity and Norfolk Scouts, has been running monthly pilot sessions on Saturdays, at different Scout meeting places.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"mediaBlock","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/4157/scouts_single_page.jpg","width":2250,"height":2958,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAt Nelson\u2019s Journey, as in Scouts, young people\u2019s involvement is key. \u2018What right have we got to call ourselves a children\u2019s charity if we don\u2019t listen to young people?\u2019 says CEO Simon Wright.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe youth panel, the majority of whom have used Nelson\u2019s Journey\u2019s services, gathers feedback and ideas to influence the bereavement charity\u2019s work. \u2018We were in a meeting discussing what we could do to help young people out, not just them coming to the charity\u2019s headquarters, but something else they could do,\u2019 explains Aaron Lawton, the youth panel member who first thought of the idea. \u2018I\u2019d done Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, and the idea just popped into my head\u2019.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018I remember writing it up on the flipchart paper and thinking, \u201CWell that\u2019s not going to work. It\u2019s never going to happen!\u201D\u2019 says Lorna Vyse, Bereavement Projects Officer at Nelson\u2019s Journey. \u2018My reaction was similar,\u2019 Simon adds. \u2018I think there was still that knowledge gap for me.\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBut something clicked, and Lorna began to explore the idea. Why did they run with it? For Simon, as well as the scale and capacity of the movement, it was knowing that Scouts is \u2018an equal access route into activities\u2019. Lorna adds: \u2018With Scouts, it doesn\u2019t matter what you believe. We say there\u2019s no one way of being bereaved, no one way of coping. Scouts\u2019 ethos works with that.\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"mediaBlock","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/4152/scouts_spot_1.jpg","width":945,"height":945,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOvercoming challenges\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003EJane Warden, Norfolk\u2019s Deputy County Commissioner for Growth, held a meeting with lots of pizza and plenty of ideas and concerns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPeter Lawton, Group Scout Leader at 1st Smiles, has been involved with Scouts throughout his life. \u2018We couldn\u2019t follow any of the normal rules,\u2019 he says \u2018It was almost re-writing them. The young people come from all over Norfolk, it had no meeting place, no leaders, no committee\u2026 how do you make that work?\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThanks to some innovation and creative thinking, things started to come together. \u2018There were challenges, but we found a way round.\u2019 says Simon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWith a pilot of six sessions agreed, groups across the county volunteered their meeting places and resources. The next challenge was planning the activities. First, the team chose programme areas. Balance was key \u2013 from adventurous activities to crafts, everyone wanted to make sure the pilot was representative of Scouts.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018We discussed whether activities should be bereavement-related, too\u2019 says Lorna. They found ways to \u2018help the young people recognise that they\u2019re all remembering someone\u2019, without 1st Smiles becoming \u2018the bereaved children\u2019s group\u2019, she explains. \u2018I think Scouts lends itself to it. If you reflect together in a Scout\u2019s Own, for example, you can cover bereavement issues in that small way\u2019.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERob Sheehan, office manager at Nelson\u2019s Journey and a 1st Smiles volunteer, agrees: \u2018We\u2019re talking about doing it in the future \u2013 more as a nod to their special person who\u2019s died, rather than a deep therapeutic activity, to acknowledge that they\u2019re all there for that reason\u2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWith four sections in one room, careful planning is key. \u2018Each meeting we had to come up with a programme for everyone,\u2019 explains Jane. \u2018It takes a lot of planning \u2013 it\u2019s only once a month, but you\u2019ve got four programmes to put into one long meeting.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESo far, though, it\u2019s working. \u2018Sections can work well together!\u2019 Jane adds. It\u2019s something she thinks other groups could consider \u2013 \u2018Especially if you\u2019ve got smaller sections, edit the same programme to fit the sections. Young people don\u2019t mind working with each other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"mediaBlock","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/4154/scouts_spot_2.jpg","width":945,"height":945,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMilestones\u003C/strong\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/scouts/awards/membership/\u0022 title=\u0022Membership\u0022\u003EThe Membership Award\u003C/a\u003E (the badge people get for learning about the movement, and their section, and making their Scout Promise) is an integral part of any Scout\u2019s experience, but for 1st Smiles it presented another challenge. \u2018Normally, you\u2019d wait four or five meetings,\u2019 says Jane. \u2018How does that work for us?\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESo the team worked together to develop remote membership packs. Young people took them away and researched, but this wasn\u2019t just homework: \u2018The next session, they put in some dedicated time and worked through the packs,\u2019 says Lorna.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEveryone at Nelson\u2019s Journey knew that giving a pack to a recently-bereaved family just wouldn\u2019t work \u2013 their concentration levels and priorities just aren\u2019t the same. However, with a little bit of thought, and some dedicated time in meetings, everyone was ready to make their Promises in their mass Investiture.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018Seeing the enthusiasm and joy in young people\u2019s faces as they joined the Scout movement \u2013 I found it heartening,\u2019 says Simon. \u2018it gave me a sense that this is a group that\u2019s got \u003Cbr\u003Ea future\u2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAnd, of course, there was the question of uniform. \u2018We didn\u2019t want to say, you now have to go and buy a uniform,\u2019 explains Jane, \u2018but we wanted an identity for these young people\u2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA grant from a local charitable foundation provided everyone with t-shirts, and a start-up grant from Norfolk Scouts gave everyone a necker. The young people designed badges, and their designs were combined. \u2018We\u2019ve got our badges for our neckers!\u2019 declares Max, one of the Cubs. \u2018Which we haven\u2019t put on yet!\u2019 interrupts Ben, his younger brother. \u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPlenty of people stepped up to get 1st Smiles off the ground. \u2018At least half our volunteers are from Nelson\u2019s Journey,\u2019 says Aaron, \u2018most of them have no Scout experience\u2019.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018If a Beaver leader volunteers, they don\u2019t necessarily have the experience to lead the Scouts,\u2019 says Peter. \u2018You can\u2019t even do the normal thing of letting the Explorers teach the Beavers \u2013 most of them don\u2019t yet have the knowledge to pass on.\u2019 It\u2019s a real testament to the time and effort of all the volunteers that the young people have had such a varied taste of what Scouts is all about. \u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E1st Smiles wasn\u2019t the start of Max and Ben\u2019s Scout journey. \u2018You\u2019ve got your \u003Ca href=\u0022/top-awards/chief-scout-s-bronze-award/\u0022 title=\u0022Chief Scout\u2019s Bronze Award\u0022\u003EBronze Award\u003C/a\u003E, haven\u2019t you?\u2018 their mum prompts, and Ben chimes in, reminding everyone: \u2018It\u2019s the highest award in Beavers!\u2019 Although these two are already keen Scouts, the majority of the young people (and about half the volunteers) are new to it and it\u2019s changing perceptions.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018The thing that\u2019s surprised me,\u2019 says Simon, \u2018is the focus on growing Scouts in communities that haven\u2019t traditionally accessed it. In the past, people would\u2019ve thought of Scouts as being targeted at boys, for example. Actually, everyone gets something out of the experience. That\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve been really impressed by and come to appreciate more through this.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018I think I enjoy it more than I anticipated,\u2019 says Rob. \u2018I\u2019ve had my eyes opened about how important it is to invest in young people, setting them up for their future and building confidence. Scouts helps do that. The volunteers are really helpful, really positive, really welcoming.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe plan was always to link young people to local Scouts alongside 1st Smiles. This is starting to take shape, after just three meetings. \u2018A few are on waiting lists with their own local groups,\u2019 Peter says. \u2018They\u2019ll still come to 1st Smiles every month, but every week they\u2019ll do Scouts too\u2019.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"mediaBlock","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/4155/scouts_spot_3.jpg","width":945,"height":945,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn example to others?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003EIn true Scouts fashion, everyone seems eager to share the benefits of 1st Smiles. \u2018This would be fantastic nationwide\u2019, say Max and Ben\u2019s mum.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018The thought went through my mind straight away,\u2019 Simon agrees. \u2018There are so many other charities working with young people who\u2019d benefit from similar partnerships. There\u2019s a real potential for the model that we\u2019ve developed with Norfolk Scouts to be embraced by other charities working with young people\u2019.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPartnership has been key from day one. Neither Nelson\u2019s Journey nor Norfolk Scouts could have done this alone. \u2018We put a partnership agreement in place,\u2019 explains Jane. It detailed everything each partner would do. What\u2019s really clear is that both parties see themselves benefitting: giving bereaved young people a break and helping them develop skills for life.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBoth organisations also realised the benefits of Nelson\u2019s Journey delivering bereavement awareness training to Norfolk Scout volunteers. Not only is the training helpful for the volunteers, it helps Nelson\u2019s Journey achieve its aims.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018Collectively, Scout volunteers who give their time to help young people to be their best see thousands of bereaved young people in Norfolk each week,\u2019 Simon explains. \u2018To be able to tap into that and promote an understanding of bereavement for children in Norfolk \u2013 that\u2019s an important part of the charity\u2019s aims,\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOverall, 1st Smiles Scout Group is an example of teamwork, not only between organisations but between Scouts across the county. \u2018It\u2019s a group effort,\u2019 says Jane. \u20181st Smiles had nothing, not even a box of felt tips. People supplied the volunteers, the venues, the equipment. We\u2019ve been reliant on everybody\u2019s goodwill, and they\u2019ve come up with the goods.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"mediaBlock","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/4156/scouts_spot_4.jpg","width":945,"height":945,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat\u2019s next?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe future of 1st Smiles isn\u2019t confirmed, although everyone seems to agree that the pilot\u2019s going brilliantly. \u2018For me, the reaction of the young people has been enough to make me think: we have to make it work. There\u2019s no alternative, there\u2019s not really a choice anymore,\u2019 says Peter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ENext on the agenda is badges. People who are already involved with Norfolk Scouts have been able to count all they\u2019ve done, but the \u2018initial focus was giving people a taste of Scouts,\u2019 says Peter. \u2018We\u2019re trying to work around badge requirements. A conventional group does a badge over a few weeks \u2013 we can\u2019t quite do that\u2019. They\u2019ll also be thinking about residentials. \u2018How lovely would it be to see them do a group camp?\u2019 asks Lorna.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat about people\u2019s hopes and dreams for 1st Smiles\u2019 long-term? \u2018I\u2019m going to tell you mine first!\u2019 says Lorna. \u2018I\u2019m going to have a 1st Smiles Group that has a Beaver Colony, a Cub Pack, a Scout Troop \u2013 the whole works. Wouldn\u2019t it be lovely to have to say: \u201CI\u2019m sorry, we\u2019ve got no spaces\u2026 we\u2019ll have to set up another Cub Pack!\u201D\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018It\u2019s a small project here,\u2019 says Jane. \u2018But these young people, in a few years, they could be the ones applying to go to the next \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/\u0022 title=\u0022WSJ\u0022\u003EWorld Scout Jamboree\u003C/a\u003E. They\u2019ve come to Scouts through a different route, but there\u2019s nothing stopping them.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018That thing I said, \u201CIt\u2019s never going to happen\u201D?\u2019 says Lorna. \u2018I\u2019m never going to say that again. I\u2019m going to look at things and think: we\u2019ll make it happen.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"31 October 2019","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":48471,"nodeName":"Meet the Norfolk Scouts bringing smiles to bereaved young people","title":"Meet the Norfolk Scouts bringing smiles to bereaved young people","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/4157/scouts_single_page.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1d9becd3247a6f0","caption":"Scouts Single Page","type":"jpg","size":5514914,"width":2250,"height":2958,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Meet the Norfolk Scouts bringing smiles to bereaved young people","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Norfolk Scouts is working with a bereavement charity to support bereaved young people while helping them to develop skills for life. 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