{"alias":"storyCaseStudy","byline":"Ben Hodgkiss, Group Scout Leader","standfirst":"Ben\u2019s a Group Scout Leader in Darlington. He\u2019s recently set up a Squirrel Drey, just outside a council estate. It\u0027s in one of the most income-deprived areas of the country, which is defined as IMD1 by national standards.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EBen set up his Scout Group in 2018, using National Lottery Funding.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESince then, the Group\u2019s gone from strength to strength and now has its own Squirrel Drey.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe caught up with\u00A0Ben to hear about why he thinks it\u2019s important to bring Scouts into new communities and find out about his experience of doing so.\u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/t4xhx0q2/slide2.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"altText":"Squirrels building a tent","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003EHi Ben, thanks for chatting to us today. Can you tell us about the area where you volunteer?\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003EI volunteer as a Group Scout Leader in Darlington. Our Squirrel Drey is in \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.fscbiodiversity.uk/imd/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIMD1\u003C/a\u003E, so it\u2019s one of the most income-deprived areas in the country. It\u2019s near one of the largest council estates in the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe sense of community on the estate is amazing. There are kids knocking on each other\u2019s doors asking each other to go out and play, there\u2019s an open-door policy, and everyone knows everyone. The council estate backs onto a large grass area and woodland, which is where we\u2019ve set up our Squirrel Drey.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhen we first started our Group, a lot of people didn\u2019t know about Scouts. Or, they only knew old stereotypes and misinformation about Scouts being for white, middle-class boys. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW172865952 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhen I was looking for people to join as volunteers, I had to change this perception. I let people know they didn\u2019t need to be a Scout or a Guide growing up to help out and that they don\u0027t need to know how to pitch a tent.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhy did you want to set up a Squirrel Drey?\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EExcept for Scouts, there aren\u2019t many opportunities for four- and five-year-olds. They\u2019re too old for toddler classes, but many of the kids we\u2019re working with haven\u2019t started school yet, so Scouts is really needed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe young people get so much out of it and it\u2019s something they wouldn\u2019t get elsewhere \u2013 an amazing, low cost, adventurous programme!\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EParticularly given the pandemic, lots of the young people we\u2019re seeing now had their formative years in lockdown. Baby and toddler groups weren\u2019t running during this time, so they had very limited social time. So, we\u2019re working with children who desperately need those social skills.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s really rewarding to help young people learn skills, whether that\u2019s being quiet when someone else is talking, asking to go to the toilet or gaining other skills, such as listening, creativity, and confidence.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EI was a Scout when I was younger, and I want to give back just as much as I gained from it.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EHow did you set up a Group in your area?\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe best way you can make Scouts happen in IMD1 is by engaging with local people. They understand the needs of the community. Once you persuade one person to get involved, it kind of snowballs by word of mouth. \u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW10224193 BCX0\u0022\u003ESquirrels is a great way to do this. Our sessions are only short, about 45 minutes, so a lot of parents or carers would come to the sessions and wait nearby. This gave us a great opportunity to talk to them, get to know them, and start conversations about potentially becoming an occasional helper.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/belhqeml/slide1.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"altText":"(Left) Squirrel playing archery (Right) Squirrels going for a walk","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhat kind of considerations did you make for your Group, knowing it\u2019s in IMD1?\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EA lot of the parents can\u2019t drive, so we do as much as we can onsite, allowing our parents, carers and young people to walk over. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EI also make sure our activities are relevant or make sense to the community we\u2019re working with. For example, when we worked towards the\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/squirrels/activity-badges/super-chef/\u0022\u003ESuper Chef activity badge\u003C/a\u003E, I included recipes that people could afford to cook and would enjoy eating.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWe know money will be tight, so we do as much as possible on a budget if there\u2019s anything parents need to pay for. If badges or uniforms aren\u2019t 100% correct, I let it slide. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EI\u2019m also used to applying for grants to help us get more money for the Group, such as the Tesco blue coins community grants scheme, so that gives us more flexibility when it comes to the more expensive activities.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhat have been some of your volunteering highlights with your Drey?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWe had our first Squirrel Nights Away in September, and it was the easiest I\u2019ve ever run. I was anticipating lots of tears, accidents and leaving early. But by 9.30pm, all the Squirrels were asleep, and all the volunteers were eating pizza by the campfire.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWe held a brilliant \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/let-s-celebrate-caribbean-carnival/\u0022\u003ECaribbean carnival inspired by the Scouts Activity Finder\u003C/a\u003E. The Squirrels enjoyed listening to Caribbean music and trying mango and coconut.\u003C/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWe also had the opportunity to meet up with another Squirrel Drey. Together, we did leaf identification, and most of the Squirrels were mainly excited about the conkers!\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhat benefits do you see Squirrels having on young people?\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s just amazing watching the Squirrels grow in confidence. I love seeing the difference from the beginning. They go from possibly refusing to let go of their parent or carer\u2019s hand, then a few weeks in they sprint away, excited to join in.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003ESquirrels is really helping broaden their horizons, especially with experiences like Nights Away, which might be their first time away from home ever. It sets them up with some incredible skills that they can use later in Scouts, or more broadly in life.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EWould you recommend volunteering to other people?\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW168689609 BCX0\u0022\u003EAbsolutely. I wouldn\u2019t volunteer if it wasn\u2019t fun! I genuinely have the best time working with young people and with the other volunteers, laughing at what the little ones have said and making a difference.\u003C/span\u003E I would \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/volunteer-enquiry-form/\u0022\u003Erecommend volunteering to anyone.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Discover the furthering reach toolkit","body":"\u003Cp\u003EReaching out into the community can be overwhelming. Our furthering reach toolkit is a guide to help you step by step on how to make your local Scout group more open and inclusive to the community that feeds into it. It provides practical tips and ideas for things you can do as volunteers as well as with your Scouts.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/furthering-reach-toolkit/","id":null,"url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/furthering-reach-toolkit/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#ca1a10","title":"Interesting in furthering reach in your area?","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"07 November 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Read our tales of furthering reach","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/furthering-reach-toolkit/tales-of-furthering-reach/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Use our furthering reach toolkit","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/furthering-reach-toolkit/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Volunteer with us today","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/volunteer-enquiry-form/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"How to start a Squirrel Drey","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-a-squirrel-drey/how-to-start-a-squirrel-drey/","newWindow":false}],"id":77649,"nodeName":"Running a Squirrel Drey on a council estate to reach new communities","title":"Running a Squirrel Drey on a council estate to reach new communities","type":"storyCaseStudy","image":{"url":"/media/t4xhx0q2/slide2.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dab8db69c5cbd0","caption":"Slide2 (1)","type":"jpg","size":381257,"width":1280,"height":720,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Running a Squirrel Drey on a council estate to reach new communities","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Ben, a Group Scout Leader in Darlington, has recently set up a Squirrel Drey just outside a council estate.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83NzY0OSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/november/running-a-squirrel-drey-on-a-council-estate-to-reach-new-communities/"}