{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"CJ Ledger, Deputy UK Chief Volunteer","standfirst":"Many of you will have seen the media coverage about our record waiting lists \u2013 which now stands at over 107,000 nationally.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/19211/squirrels-and-volunteers-holding-leaves.jpg","width":1200,"height":800,"altText":"Three Squirrels wearing red jumpers hold up leaves to show two volunteers standing in front of them.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EOf course, as volunteers, we know all too well that demand greatly outstrips supply. Although we\u2019d love to welcome more young people into the movement, we need more adult volunteers to create new places. While in the last year we welcomed over 2,200 additional volunteers, we still need more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut first let\u2019s take a step back. It\u2019s brilliant that Scouts is in such demand. What we do matters, and it\u2019s fantastic that this is being recognised.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ETrust in Scouts at record high\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBrand new data from YouGov (June 2024) tells us that trust in Scouts is at a record high too \u2013 with 86% of the public (and 93% of parents) saying they trust Scouts, and 83% of the public saying they believe Scouts gives young people skills useful for later life.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s a testament to the commitment of you, our fantastic volunteers. Parents and carers hugely value the opportunities we provide to help you people feel better about themselves and the future.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll know that we\u2019ve been growing since the return to face-to-face meetings after the pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the vital need for young people to develop as part of teams, experience the outdoors and find their place in the world. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EThe benefits of volunteering\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo what\u2019s the solution to our ever growing waiting lists? Firstly, we need to talk about how Scouts is as good for volunteers as it is for young people. The skills, friendships and wellbeing benefits are as important for adults as they are for young people. In \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-insights/news-index/key-findings-from-time-well-spent-2023/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Key findings from Time Well Spent 2023 (NCVO)\u0022\u003ENCVO\u2019s Time Well Spent Survey\u003C/a\u003E, three quarters (77%) of volunteers said that volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EMaking volunteering easier\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe also need to talk about how we\u2019re transforming the experience of being a volunteer. We\u2019re moving to a teams-based and task-led model which should make volunteering simpler, more enjoyable and rewarding. It\u2019s about supporting each other, reducing the admin and letting volunteers get on with things they enjoy and are good at. And we\u2019re simplifying the learning and development opportunities, focusing on what volunteers need for their role while making sure we\u2019re keeping everyone\u2019s safety at the top of the list.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EPractical support\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELet\u2019s not forget the tools and support available to help us attract new volunteers. We\u2019ve got some ready-made resources available in our \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 title=\u0022Recruitment Toolkit\u0022\u003ERecruitment Toolkit\u003C/a\u003E. From running open events, to putting together volunteer rotas, and the tried and tested Four Week Challenge, we have plenty of support and advice.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/direct-support/\u0022 title=\u0022Direct Support\u0022\u003EGrowth and Communities Team\u003C/a\u003E is also ready to help. They\u2019re here to work with local teams to open new sections and group, and re-energise groups that need support. One of the great things about Scouts is that you\u2019re not on your own \u2013 there\u2019s always someone there to support you.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo let\u2019s make the most of this moment to show how Scouts is great for volunteers too. Thanks for everything you do creating brighter futures for more young people.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"03 July 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Volunteer with Scouts","url":null,"newWindow":false}],"id":80215,"nodeName":"Why this is a moment for us to grow","title":"Why this is a moment for us to grow","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/19211/squirrels-and-volunteers-holding-leaves.jpg?cc=0,0.06333333333333334,0,0.09291666666666666\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dadf67f5f9df30","caption":"Squirrels and volunteers holding leaves","type":"jpg","size":110543,"width":1200,"height":800,"altText":"Three Squirrels in red jumpers hold up leaves to show two volunteers standing in front of them."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Why this is a moment for us to grow","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"As Scouts\u0027 waiting lists are record high, UK Deputy Lead Volunteer CJ Ledger explains why Scouts is good for volunteers too.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84MDIxNSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/july/why-this-is-a-moment-for-us-to-grow/"}