{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"Read three incredible stories of Squirrel Dreys across the country making an impact in their local communities, learning about the importance of being kind and thinking of others.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EEncouraging young people to make a positive impact on their local communities benefits their mental well-being, boosts confidence, and helps them develop essential life skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESquirrels are more than capable of taking part in community impact activities, and we\u2019ve heard of some incredible stories from across the UK of groups making a difference.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\u0022mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\u0022\u003EGrowing together\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/hb5bv3qi/community-impact2.jpg","width":1200,"height":1600,"altText":"Squirrels gardening together in a tyre","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAt an inner-city group in St Albans, a group of Squirrels wanted to green their urban space. With their hut and a small green area, they started gardening. They made plant pots from recycled materials, grew flowers and veggies, and even attracted bees with seed bombs.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIt was all done on a budget. The local garden centre donated seeds and another leader gave them a water tank, helping to keep costs low.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe Squirrels went on to create bouquets of sweet peas and handed them out at the nursing home next door. The residents were overjoyed, many of them can\u2019t get out at all.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u201CSmall, thoughtful gifts go a long way\u201D says Sarah, who is section leader for both Squirrels and Beavers, and full of ideas and optimism for her groups.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFor the Squirrels, it was about more than gardening. They learned kindness and generosity, and felt rightfully proud of themselves afterwards.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESince then, their project has grown, now planting trees with other sections and building raised beds for more kids to join in.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\u0022mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\u0022\u003EShining bright\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/3jdoa3gd/community-impact4.jpg","width":2016,"height":1512,"altText":"Squirrels out on a night walk","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EA group of Squirrels went out on a sponsored night walk just outside of Newport in South Wales. On their night walk adventure, they took torches and did a lap of their local area, stopping to look at the stars.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EBefore their journey, the Squirrels were asked to help collect donations by asking friends and family for contributions and telling them what they\u2019d be doing. They managed to raise an impressive \u00A3300, which they used to buy items for a local foodbank.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe foodbank was incredibly grateful, and the Squirrels received a thank-you certificate that they now proudly display in their hut.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESquirrels Leader Katie says they\u2019re now continuing to do community impact activities with learning skills for life and the usual fun and silliness of Squirrels.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\u0022mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\u0022\u003EGood groceries\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/mktpq25h/community-impact5.jpg","width":720,"height":960,"altText":"Squirrels toy on check out belt","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIn Tynemouth, Christina sat her Squirrels down in a circle, and discussed the importance of being nice, kind, and keeping promises \u2013 values central to our Scout values.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThey talked about families, safety, and the privilege of having food at home, recognising that not everyone is as fortunate. They decided they could help others by shopping for food. Each Squirrel chipped in \u00A31 and they went to their local supermarket.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAt the supermarket, they picked out items for breakfast, dinner, and treats. Some people in the store even gave them more money to help.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThey donated their items to the local foodbank and since have received badges for their kindness.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe Squirrels were genuinely proud of themselves, and it helped them widen their horizons by imagining what life would be like without the comforts they often take for granted.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u201CAs leaders, we sometimes overcomplicate things. Once we stepped back and thought about it, we realised it was actually quite easy. And the experience was incredibly rewarding.\u201D says Squirrel Leader Christina.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Community impact in Squirrels","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFind out more about community impact at Squirrels and how you can get involved.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Community Impact in Squirrels","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/running-your-section/running-a-squirrel-drey/programme-planning/community-impact-in-squirrels/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#ed3f23","title":"Feeling inspired?","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":"22 July 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Community impact in Squirrels","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-a-squirrel-drey/programme-planning/community-impact-in-squirrels/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"More about Squirrels","url":"/squirrels/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":80341,"nodeName":"3 inspiring stories about Squirrel Dreys making an impact (4)","title":"3 inspiring stories about Squirrel Dreys making an impact","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/hb5bv3qi/community-impact2.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf92e8218dbd0","caption":"Community Impact2","type":"jpg","size":712651,"width":1200,"height":1600,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"3 inspiring stories about Squirrel Dreys making an impact","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84MDM0MSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/july/3-inspiring-stories-about-squirrel-dreys-making-an-impact-4/"}