{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Nicola Hilliard, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"Fasting\u2019s going for a certain length of time without either eating and/or drinking certain things, or sometimes without eating and/or drinking anything at all.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EFasting\u2019s practiced in several religions, such as for Lent, Yom Kippur, Fast of Easter and Ramadan. Some people may fast for health or medical reasons.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFasting can take place at different times throughout the year. Scouts is open to everyone, including people of faith and people of none. It\u2019s likely that some young people and volunteers in Scouts across the UK will be taking part in a fast.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs an inclusive and values-based movement, we support members joining in as they usually do, while fasting. This can mean making a few adjustments to our plans.\u0026nbsp;Here are some ways you can help make everyone feel included in Scouts while fasting:\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/18416/volunteers-with-ball.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Three volunteers stand in a line, while the volunteer in the centre holds a football above their head.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommunication is key:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/span\u003E Make it easy for young people, parents and carers and volunteers to talk to you. Ask questions to understand how you can best support young people and adults who might be fasting.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe supportive:\u003C/strong\u003E Make sure all Scouts and volunteers are encouraging and supportive to anyone who\u2019s fasting. It might\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAsk kind questions:\u003C/strong\u003E When people ask questions, keep things kind, considerate and respectful. Avoid questions about why someone may or may not be fasting. Some people may not fast due to health reasons, illness, age or pregnancy. For others it may be a personal choice whether they want to observe a fast. You also shouldn\u2019t question any physical changes that someone may be making during the period or occasion, such as changes in weight, what they\u2019re wearing, or how they have their hair.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvoid making assumptions: \u003C/strong\u003EAs there are so many reasons why people may fast, it\u2019s best to avoid making assumptions about who may be fasting. This includes assumptions about someone\u2019s faith or beliefs. Remember that young people are often exploring their own beliefs, ethics and boundaries too, so they may not share their parents or carers\u2019 beliefs or ethics or be choosing to observe religious practices. You could provide all members with information, such as the options for those fasting while on a camp, as this\u2019ll allow them to make their own informed decisions.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/20186/a-group-of-young-scouts-are-wearing-helmets-and-laughing-while-leaning-on-a-pole.jpg","width":5000,"height":3337,"altText":"Three Scouts in orange helmets are laughing and leaning on a pole.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe flexible\u003C/strong\u003E: Being flexible is a way to be kind to people who are fasting. Rotating leaders and making use of occasional helpers is vital to ensure volunteers are not left feeling burnt out. They may not be able to attend Scouts as regularly during their fasting period. Alternatively, they may want to take on a more behind-the-scenes volunteer role during this period.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlan ahead for fasting periods:\u003C/strong\u003E You could note any periods of fasting to your Scouts programme calendar, as this can help you to prepare and plan activities to make sure everyone can be involved. Take time to think about who may be fasting when planning food activities, campfires or camps.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECelebrate events:\u003C/strong\u003E Consider if it\u2019s an opportunity to host your own celebrations or events for occasions, such as Easter, Eid or Yom Kippur. You could also try some of our faith-based Scout activities or faith badges.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/19194/squirrels-with-plates.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Two Squirrels in red jumpers hold their hands up at an arts and crafts table","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllow space for prayer: \u003C/strong\u003ESome periods of fast can be for religious reasons. Allowing young people and volunteers time and space to pray, as needed, is a great idea. Make sure to have a private and comfortable space for people to do this, including on camps.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffer places to rest:\u003C/strong\u003E Make sure there\u2019s plenty of shade if you\u2019re meeting outside. Alternatively, offer a cool, comfortable indoor space during the summer months for people who are fasting to use and rest in, as needed. Try to provide activities in both spaces too, so no-one misses out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlan alternatives for strenuous\u00A0activities:\u003C/strong\u003E If high energy activities are on offer, provide some relaxed activities, too. People who are fasting may lack energy, especially towards the end of the day, and they may want to run craft table or similar.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/18329/cub-smiling.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Three Cubs looking at each other while smiling.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESave food-based activities for another time:\u003C/strong\u003E During periods when members of your group are fasting, try to avoid food and drink related Scouts activities. Rethink if biscuits are served in a meeting or save toasting marshmallows to times when everyone can join in.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffer alternatives during mealtimes at sleepovers or on camps:\u003C/strong\u003E If you\u2019re running a camp or event, make sure there are activities running in a separate space during meal times, so people who are fasting can have something to do. Set aside a space and time for them to break their fast in the evenings, if required, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more:\u003C/strong\u003E Learn about fasting and the associated celebrations in different faiths and beliefs yourself and encourage other volunteers or young people to too. You could also try some of our faith-based Scout activities or faith badges. Alternatively, you could reach out to the local community, arrange a visit to a local place of worship or find appropriate guest speakers.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"21 March 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Faiths and beliefs in Scouts","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/inclusion-and-diversity/including-everyone/faiths-and-beliefs/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Creating inclusive events","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/inclusion-and-diversity/including-everyone/faiths-and-beliefs/faith-events/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Join Scouts","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/groups/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Inclusion and diversity in Scouts","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/inclusion-and-diversity/","newWindow":true}],"id":50910,"nodeName":"Ways to support people in Scouts who are fasting","title":"Ways to support people in Scouts who are fasting","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/18416/volunteers-with-ball.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000001263187085796,0.006666190510201653,0,0.14964407304240165\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dae98064435170","caption":"Three volunteers with ball outside","type":"jpg","size":753442,"width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Three volunteers stand in a line, while the volunteer in the centre holds a football above their head."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Ways to support people in Scouts who are fasting","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Here are some ways you can help make everyone feel included in Scouts while fasting, such as for Ramadan, Lent or Yom Kippur.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDkxMCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/march/ways-to-support-people-in-scouts-who-are-fasting/"}