{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"CJ Ledger, Deputy UK Chief Volunteer and Yousif Eltom, UK Lead Volunteer for Growth and Race Equity","standfirst":"As we\u0027re confronted by intolerance, racism and violence in our communities, we need to remember that Scouts is a powerful beacon of hope and positivity. Scouts brings together people from all backgrounds in a spirit of unity and friendship. Our Scout values of integrity, respect, care, belief and cooperation feel as relevant as ever.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027ve been appalled by the violence and unrest in our towns and cities over this past week.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDeliberate misinformation on social media has sparked ugly scenes victimising and intimidating asylum seekers and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn particular, we\u2019ve seen clear examples of Xenophobia, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric and behaviour, with extremists targeting members of this community leaving them fearful and badly shaken.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EZero-tolerance for racism\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs Scouts, working at the heart of our communities, we reject racism and extremism in all its forms. We\u2019re proud to be open to all, and everything we do is led by our values.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWithin our movement, we have a zero-tolerance approach to racism and expect all members to meet these expectations, thinking carefully about our words and actions in person and online. This is in line with the Race Equity work we\u2019ve been progressing together. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe bring people together, not drive them apart. We bridge divided communities and find common ground. We\u2019re proud to help young people understand, respect and celebrate their differences.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAt a time when our communities are troubled, we need to remember the powerful difference Scouts makes \u2013 creating opportunities to engage people from different communities in positive experiences, together.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EEncouraging a spirit of mutual respect\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis will be a worrying and unsettling time for our young people and volunteers. Most will still be on summer holidays and away from Scouts, and the stability they get from their regular Scouts sessions. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThrough social action, such as The Big Help Out and our Million Hands initiative, we help over 250,000 young people each year improve the lives of people in our communities. Our programme helps young people understand and explore the faith and beliefs of others, encouraging a spirit of respect, curiosity, and openness. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe show young people that friendship and unity is more powerful than hatred and fear. We\u2019ve seen that across so many Scout events this summer, not least our summer camps, and international Jamborees such as the Blair Atholl, Jamborette in Scotland, the Larkin Jamboree in Yorkshire, and the Essex International Jamboree. Tens of thousands of young people from over forty different countries have met in a spirit of peace, friendship, and mutual respect. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe should not forget the hugely positive work we\u2019ve done across the UK, bringing Scouts to the most under-represented communities, especially the Muslim community, and the benefits this has brought to young people, families, and to Scouting.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe have much to look forward to, as we look to grow Scouts in Black communities, as part of our continued commitment to the inclusion, participation and support for young people from every community. At the Scouts we understand that acknowledging, accepting and celebrating our unique identities helps us grow individually and collectively, and helps marginalised groups feel that they too are welcome to join the Scouts family.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ETaking positive action\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur volunteers are powerful and positive role models for our young people, showing that generosity and kindness always wins out in the end. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe work our volunteer leaders do is helping young people stay safe, in communities, in real life and online, recognising fake news and misinformation when it appears. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ETaking care of ourselves and others\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may wish to reach out and share a simple message of support and reassurance with your young people. If you feel comfortable, explain that you\u2019re happy to speak with anyone who feels worried.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could highlight that those involved in this violence are in the minority. Most people in our communities are good and decent people, who help others. We\u2019ve seen that in the way that people from different communities have helped clear up, rebuild and look after others following the violence. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s also vital to look after your own wellbeing. If you\u0027re upset or scared by what you\u2019ve seen and experienced, please speak with members of your local team for support. Please also check in with other volunteers who may feel isolated, scared or frustrated.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFinally, if you see or hear words or actions either online or in person that go against our values, including from other Scouts, it\u0027s important we call it out, while keeping ourselves safe.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThank you for all you do for young people and communities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EProgramme links and activities\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExploring faiths and beliefs \u003C/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/interacting-with-different-communities/\u0022\u003EInteracting with different communities\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/furthering-reach-toolkit/engaging-with-communities-and-people/muslim-community-engagement/exploring-islamic-faith-through-the-programme/\u0022\u003EExploring Islamic faith through the programme\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupporting asylum seekers \u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/recruiting-and-managing-volunteers/appointing/supporting-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-to-volunteer-with-us/\u0022\u003ESupporting asylum seekers and refugees to volunteer with us\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpotting fake news and misinformation \u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/bogus-bulletins/\u0022\u003EBogus bulletins\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/may/how-to-spot-fake-news/\u0022\u003EHow to spot fake news\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETaking care of ourselves \u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/wellbeing-sessions/\u0022\u003EWellbeing sessions\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/weekly-wins/\u0022\u003EWeekly wins\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/better-mental-health-for-all-postcards/\u0022\u003EBetter mental health for all postcards\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"07 August 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Try out interacting with different communities 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