{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Nisha Patel, UK Commissioner for Perception","standfirst":"We\u2019re reviewing what young people aged 10\u00BD upwards and volunteers wear at Scouts. We thought it\u0027d be helpful to explain why we\u0027re looking at this right now and how you can feed into the process as we move forward.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/arqn3lrn/two-scout-volunteers-in-uniform-laughing.jpg","width":2000,"height":1333,"altText":"Two Black Scout volunteers are stood on grass. The volunteer on the left is behind a brown fence, while the volunteer on the right is in front of the fence and leaning on it. The volunteer on the left is smiling and looking at the camera, but the one on the right is laughing and looking to the left. ","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EOne of the key aims of the Perception Team is to focus on what people outside our organisation think and feel about our Scouts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor example, do they feel Scouts are relevant to society today? And, crucially, do they think we\u2019re inclusive?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat we wear is an important part of how people see us. It\u2019s part of our Scouts brand and can influence someone\u2019s decision to volunteer. What we wear is, of course, important to all members too. Therefore, it\u2019s vital that what we wear at Scouts is fit for purpose and everyone wearing it feels comfortable and proud of it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m Nisha Patel and I\u2019m the UK Commissioner for Perception. I\u2019m immensely proud to be a Scout volunteer. I\u2019d love all young people to have the same opportunity to join our fantastic movement, and I\u2019m certain you all feel the same. So it was quite a disappointment to learn that around 42% of 13\u201317 year olds outside the movement surveyed recently are put off Scouts because of our uniform.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s been a long time since we reviewed what we wear, and times have changed a lot. One of the strategic goals of our Skills for Life strategy is to make sure Scouts is understood, trusted, respected and widely seen as playing a key role in society today. We know that what we wear is a key part of this.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo, what are our plans for what we wear?\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003ENo immediate changes\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile changes to the uniform are on the way after 2025, they won\u2019t happen overnight. There\u2019ll be a long phasing-in period to allow young people, their parents and carers, volunteers and Scout Groups to make the changes at an appropriate time for them.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/zeebcz5g/scouts-sledging-down-a-grasy-hill.jpg","width":6000,"height":4000,"altText":"To the left, a Scout is sat on a red sledge wearing uniform and a pink helmet. Another Scout is pushing them down a grassy hill, leaning forwards. To the right, there\u0027s another Scout on a red sledge in the background, wearing a grey jumper and trousers, and a pink helmet. There are trees in the background and more young people at the top of the hill.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EListening to members and the public\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom the start, we based our work on what a total of 26,000 people, from both inside and outside Scouts, told us. This data collection started before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo far, we\u2019ve learned that our current uniform, from our Scouts section upwards, is not seen as suitable for what we do by young people in the movement:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E40% of Scouts (10\u00BD to 14 years) found the uniform uncomfortable.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E42% of 13-17 year olds outside Scouts said they were put off joining because of what it looked like.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research also showed that adult volunteers often wear personalised informal wear to their weekly sessions.\u00A0They save their full smart uniform for formal occasions, such as St George\u2019s Day or Remembrance Sunday.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re seeing a similar picture among Scouts, Explorers and Network members. Many are swapping their shirts for casual wear after flag break and only wearing full uniform to formal events.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EFive principles for our new uniform\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve compiled all the views from our research, then used these to identify five key principles to follow when designing the new uniform. They are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eaffordability\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Esimplicity\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Edurability\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Esustainability\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eethical assurance\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETake a look at \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/our-brand/looking-at-what-we-wear/\u0022 title=\u0022Looking at what we wear\u0022\u003Ewhat we wear\u003C/a\u003E to find out more about this process.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, what we wear must be inclusive for all. This means that what we wear must be appropriate for different people, different shape, different cultures and faiths, as well as other needs.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/jb3cu3dz/scouts-in-uniform-looking-up-at-the-sky.jpg","width":7360,"height":4912,"altText":"Scouts in uniform (blue shirts and green and navy neckers) are stood behind a brown fence. There are 6 Scouts in the image, and they\u0027re all looking up at the sky and smiling. ","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EKeeping Scouts affordable\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe increases in cost of living will have a direct impact on Scouts. This\u0027ll be a key consideration in any changes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re committed to keeping Scouts open to all, so we want the uniform to be simple and affordable. It needs to last, so not fade or be easily damaged.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re really interested in hearing about innovative ideas that Groups across the country have already adopted. For example, learning from Groups who\u0027ve introduced a \u2018uniform borrowing\u2019 model for formal occasions, or have a second-hand uniform recycling scheme.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis means that every item bought is used and recycled as much as possible, maximising value and minimising environmental impact.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019ve an idea, thought or suggestion on this, please join our\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/f449d20460b743a59d3f211d2cfdaa19\u0022\u003EWhat We Wear Community of Interest\u003C/a\u003E and let us know.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/y30gsftn/two-scouts-focusing-and-tying-knots-with-string.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"A Scout wearing uniform (a beige shirt with a yellow and white necker) is stood in front of a brown fence. They\u0027re holding a bow and arrow for archery and they\u0027re standing side on, ready to release the arrow from the bow.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EA careful process\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe know how important it is for us to take our time and get this right. In order to do this, and make sure that a wide range of views are represented, we\u2019ve lots more consultations planned, as well as due diligence processes in place.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis ranges from a diverse Project Board, to focus groups from inside and outside of Scouts with young people and adult volunteers. We\u2019ll be having even further and wider consultations with people when designs are developed further, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EHave your say\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinally, we\u2019re keen to continue to hear your views. If you\u2019re able to, we\u2019d love you to join the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/f449d20460b743a59d3f211d2cfdaa19\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWhat We Wear Community of Interest\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis\u2019ll keep you updated during the review and design process, allowing you to share your thoughts and let us know of concerns throughout.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWe want young people and volunteers to join our brilliant movement. Uniform should not be a barrier \u2013 and should be something we want to wear and be proud of. Thanks for all you do for Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#002f6c","title":"A final word","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ELet us know at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@scouts.org.uk\u0022\u003Esupport@scouts.org.uk\u003C/a\u003E and please put \u2018What We Wear\u2019 in the subject line. We\u2019ll get back to you as soon as possible.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Do you have a question about What We Wear?","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":"06 November 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Looking at what we wear","url":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/our-brand/looking-at-what-we-wear/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Sign up for the What we wear community of interest","url":"https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/f449d20460b743a59d3f211d2cfdaa19","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":77638,"nodeName":"Why we\u0027re looking at what we wear","title":"Why we\u0027re looking at what we wear","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/jb3cu3dz/scouts-in-uniform-looking-up-at-the-sky.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1da10d42d586590","caption":"Scouts In Uniform Looking Up At The Sky","type":"jpg","size":8062808,"width":7360,"height":4912,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Why we\u0027re looking at what we wear","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Nisha Patel, UK Commissioner for Perception, tells us about our review of what we wear and how you can get involved.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83NzYzOCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/november/why-were-looking-at-what-we-wear/"}