{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"As Scouts, we\u2019ve a proud history of supporting people in crisis and responding to global disasters, with refugees and displaced children being no different.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EA history of helping\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScouts in the UK and around the world have always supported displaced people and those in need. It\u2019s in our nature to want to help. During the First World War, Scouts were asked to meet Belgian refugees at stations and provide them with help.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen refugees from the Spanish Civil War arrived in the UK, they were looked after on large camps. It was recognised that Scout volunteers would have the necessary skills to organise large groups of people, provide mass catering and introduce proper hygiene arrangements.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDid you know that we\u2019re considered by the UN to be a core part of the world\u2019s emergency response and community resilience? It all starts with a Scout Group, just like yours. You can make a difference.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/17612/second-world-war-evacuation-evacuees-5-min.jpg","width":7053,"height":5041,"altText":"A group of young children sit on the grass in front of the tent. They are smiling and laughing as a young Scout boy is stood in front of them, playing and making them laugh.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EActivities to learn about refugees, displaced children and international crises\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScouts believes that wherever they\u2019re from and wherever they live, all young people deserve to grow up in safe and secure surroundings.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s been great to see Scout groups welcoming in refugees from the crises happening around the world, such as in Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Ukraine and Rohingya.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs part of our A Million Hands campaign, Scouts worked with Save the Children UK and British Red Cross on activities that are all about helping refugees and displaced children, as well as learning about in international crises.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom making welcome signs to learning a game from a country affected by conflict, \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=refugee\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?name=refugee\u0022\u003Eour activities to learn about refugees and displaced children\u003C/a\u003E aim to help support Scouts to live by their Scout Promise to help other people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETake a look at our guidance on \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/global-scouting/international-crises/\u0022 title=\u0022International crises\u0022\u003EInternational Crises\u003C/a\u003E, which offers activities and resource to help you respond to, and learn about crises happening overseas.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/17840/db-20210611-15271-8691-141140min.jpg","width":5000,"height":3333,"altText":"Three Cubs are playing a game outside on tarmac. They are smiling and racing towards the camera.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003ETips on welcoming everyone into your group\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAs a group, you could work together to plan how you can make new starters in your group feel welcome. You should think about how you can spread the word that everyone is welcome at Scouts, and if there is anything you can do to remove any real or perceived barriers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople from different countries may not be aware of Scouts. You could hold an open day to reach out to people and help them to understand more about what we do.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember to signpost people to another local group if you\u2019re full.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to use our\u0026nbsp;\u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/welcome-new-arrivals/\u0022\u003EWelcome new arrivals\u003C/a\u003E\u2019 activity to look at how to make your group as welcoming as it can be for refugees and displaced children.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could also start by exploring various aspects of identity and how we all have lots in common with our \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/someone-like-me\u0022\u003ESomeone like me\u2019 \u003C/a\u003Eactivity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt may be a suitable time to explore the global elements of the programme, such as the International activity badges and Community Impact Staged Badge.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Welcoming refugees or asylum seekers to your group"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore the first meeting, you should start by having a sensitive chat with the young person and who they live with, or with the new adult volunteers. You might want to find out a little about them, as well as find out about how you can help them settle in. For example, you could find out if they\u2019ve been involved with Scouts outside the UK.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe person, or the people who they live with, will be a valuable source of information about the young person\u0027s needs. They\u2019ll be able to share anything that\u2019s worked well at school or home to help them settle in.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a group, you could learn some keywords and phrases from the new starters\u2019 first language, if different to your own, and then you can use these to communicate with the whole group.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Settling into Scouts and getting to know new starters"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou could set up a donation system for spare uniform to give to new starters.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Sourcing uniform"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERemember, that for many people arriving in the UK, English or Welsh might not be their first language. Many may not know any English or Welsh at all when they first arrive. You might need to arrange for someone who can speak the same language to help translate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could choose to use a visual timetable or have visual cards available to help the young person interact with, participate in and understand the meeting. You may also want to translate some of your resources into their first language.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHave a think about how you give instructions, and remember to think about any language barriers to make sure that everyone understands how to stay safe when you\u2019re \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022\u003Erisk assessing your activities\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a group, you could learn some keywords and phrases from the new starters\u2019 first language, if different to your own, and then you can use these to communicate with the whole group.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Translation and language barriers"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s important to remember that some young people and adults coming from countries in conflict may have experienced bereavement.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can look at our guidance on\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/supporting-life-issues-and-young-people/\u0022\u003Esupporting life issues and young people\u003C/a\u003E, which includes guidance around both bereavement and mental health.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Bereavement, grief and mental health"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore the person starts, you should share what you\u2019ve got coming up in your programme.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could try to find out if there\u2019s anything that might cause them distress after what they may have experienced, such as war or evacuation.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou should think about if there are any activities you need to tweak or hold off on for a while.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople might find certain activities difficult, such as loud noises, fire alarms, campfires or hiding games.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople may also find certain days of the year difficult too, such as Father\u2019s Day and Mother\u2019s Day.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Adjusting the programme and being conscious of certain activities"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf the young person has been involved in Scouts outside the UK, you could think about planning in some traditional Scout activities that they\u2019re likely to be familiar with.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could ask if there are any familiar games or activities they\u2019d like to do or that they might know, such as from school. If you don\u2019t get chance to chat about this, you could always do a bit of research yourself into activities and games from their home country.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople could \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/game-share/\u0022\u003EShare their favourite game\u003C/a\u003E\u2019. This might give the new arrival opportunity to share and take part in a familiar game, or you could also find some games that are played in different countries too.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhy not plan a campfire and include some nonsense-word repeat-after-me \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/sing-some-campfire-songs/\u0022 title=\u0022Sing some campfire songs\u0022\u003Ecampfire songs\u003C/a\u003E, that everyone can get involved with? Remember, you can create a fire-free \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/fire-free-campfire/\u0022 title=\u0022Fire-free campfire\u0022\u003Eindoor campfire\u003C/a\u003E with fairy lights.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf everyone is comfortable, you could explore the similarities and differences between Scouts in the UK and Scouts in the person\u2019s home country.\u0026nbsp;You might want to find out what they wear, their names for different groups and what their Scout Promise is.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could start with you could \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/create-origami-scout-uniforms/\u0022 title=\u0022Create origami Scout uniforms\u0022\u003ECreate origami Scout uniforms,\u003C/a\u003E exploring uniforms in different countries. You can also explore how we\u2019re a global family in Scouting, with \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/world-membership-badge-art-attack/\u0022\u003EWorld membership art attack\u003C/a\u003E\u2019.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Choosing the right activities"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou could plan in some activities that are really visual and easy-to-follow. You could try out \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities?name=easygames\u0022\u003Eeasy or simpler games\u003C/a\u003E from our activity finder, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThink of easy-to-understand ways to explain what usually happens when the group meets. You may want to have visual aids or cards.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThink about how you\u2019ll help people understand how to do an activity or the rules of a game. You might also choose to demonstrate activities, giving people a chance to learn by watching others, or ask people to work in pairs to support each other.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember to think about any language barriers to make sure that everyone understands how to stay safe. This should be included when you\u2019re \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022\u003Erisk assessing your activities\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Understanding how to explain games or activities"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf they feel comfortable, let the young person or adult introduce themselves in their own words when they join your group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf they\u2019d prefer, ask how they\u2019d like you to introduce them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the young person or adult was in Scouts before in their home country, you might want to see if they\u2019d like to tell people about it or find out more about what they did there. It\u2019s important to make sure people only share if they\u2019re happy and comfortable to, so follow their lead.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey may not want to share their experiences at all or take part in activities that remind them of home and that\u2019s OK.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey might also love the chance to teach others their favourite game or all about their home country.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Being introduced to the group"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to think about a buddy system for young people to offer a bit of extra support, especially if there\u2019s someone who goes to the same school.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could also ask if they want someone who they live with to stay for their first few meetings.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to encourage teamwork and co-operation to make sure everyone is involved with \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=icebreakerteambuilding\u0022\u003Eicebreaker and team building activities\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could also plan activities and games to help people find common ground and shared interests.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor adult volunteers, you may wish to invite other volunteers to your session to meet them or introduce them to other volunteers in the area to help show them their Scouts local community.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Support with making friends"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to keep checking in with the individual to make sure that they\u2019re happy and comfortable. For young people, you could talk to the person they live with about how they\u2019re getting on and they\u2019re finding or reacting to different activities too.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Keep checking in"}]},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/20419/girl-looking-at-activity-finder-on-scouts-website-while-sat-at-a-tablemin.jpg","width":5000,"height":3333,"altText":"We can see the Scout activity finder website open on a laptop screen, with the laptop on a table. We\u0027re looking over the shoulder of a female Scout, who is scrolling through the page with her hand on the laptop.","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"01 June 2022","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"International crises resources and activities","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/international-crises/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Supporting asylum seekers and refugees to volunteer","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/recruiting-and-managing-volunteers/appointing/supporting-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-to-volunteer-with-us/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Bereavement support","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/supporting-life-issues-and-young-people/supporting-our-members/bereavement-support/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Volunteer with Scouts","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/volunteering-with-scouts/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Scouts activity finder","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Save The Children activities","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/help-others/community/supporting-refugees-and-displaced-children/","newWindow":true}],"id":48708,"nodeName":"Learning about and welcoming refugees and displaced children in Scouts","title":"Learning about and welcoming refugees in Scouts","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/17624/microsoftteams-image-1-minmin.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf23a07afaef0","caption":"Two pairs of hands holding a part of a first aid kit","type":"png","size":921876,"width":2048,"height":1364,"altText":"A pair of hands holds a see-through bag of first aid equipment, another hand is pointing at the bag."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Learning about and welcoming refugees in Scouts","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Read our advice on how you can help welcome refugees and displaced children into Scouts.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80ODcwOCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2022/june/learning-about-and-welcoming-refugees-and-displaced-children-in-scouts/"}