{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Rachel Berkoff, Communications Manager","standfirst":"Born with a congenital bone condition, Bob\u2019s faced lots of physical challenges throughout his life. He\u0027s dedicated over 55 years to Scouts and he\u2019s recently been honoured with a Gallantry Award for his exceptional work in promoting inclusion. From everything he\u2019s learned, read his top tips for making your Scout Group more inclusive.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EBob was born with a condition that severely impacted the development of his bones and he\u2019s faced lots of physical challenges from an early age. His condition affected both femurs and ribs, leaving him with weakened bones, multiple fractures, and a significant difference in leg length. Over time, Bob\u0027s mobility decreased, leading him to rely on crutches and a mobility buggy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBob\u0027s learnt first-hand the importance and power of inclusion at Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHis commitment to Scouts has been unwavering. From joining as a youngster to running a Scout Troop for 11 years to playing a pivotal role in creating a campsite for \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://wingsjamboree.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWINGS International.\u003C/a\u003E Bob has always led by example. He\u2019s most proud of his work in promoting inclusion, especially for young people with disabilities, helping them feel accepted and empowered within the Scouts community.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I do what needs to be done. If I can\u2019t do it, I don\u2019t do it.","attribution":"Bob","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/5tgn4gum/bob.png","width":904,"height":556,"altText":"Bob is to the right of the image, sitting down and looking to his left with a medal around his neck. To his left is Scouts Ambassador Ellie Simmonds who\u0027s wearing a red, white and navy necker and holding a mug in her hands.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EBob\u2019s journey is a powerful reminder that inclusion is not just a goal, but a fundamental part of who we are at Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EInclusion in action: Bob\u0027s tips for Scout volunteers\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESometimes volunteers struggle if they don\u2019t understand a child\u2019s condition. Bob emphasises the importance of doing your homework. \u2018Research the condition and talk to your inclusion team and their parents/carers to find out more about it\u2019, he advises.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"1. Research and understand conditions"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you have a member with additional needs, preparation is key. Bob recommends having a clear plan and open communication with parents/carers. Outlining expectations and support together can make a huge difference.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"2. Prepare and communicate"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBob worked with a team of about 15 people. They were all specialists in different aspects of inclusion, who volunteers could send their queries to in his District. He encourages volunteers to reach out for help when they need it. \u2018If I can\u2019t solve it, there\u2019ll be someone else I can send it to\u2019, he says.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"3. Lean on your support network"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYoung people are resilient and often see no boundaries or differences. Bob\u2019s approach is to focus on what each individual can do, rather than their limitations. This mindset helps create a more inclusive and supportive environment.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"4. Focus on what young people can do"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAt Scouts, we accommodate everyone, but it\u2019s important to recognise your limits and ask for help when you need to. Work with parents/carers and other volunteers in your District to get young people the right support and help them settle with a Section that are best equipped to support their needs.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"5. Know your limits"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EReflecting on his journey, Bob humbly acknowledges his Gallantry Award as a recognition of the collective efforts of the teams he\u2019s worked with. He attributes his success to the support and freedom his parents gave him and the welcoming spirit of the Scouts community.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECreating an inclusive environment isn\u2019t just about making accommodations. It\u2019s about recognising the potential in every young person and helping them achieve it. So, take a page out of Bob\u2019s book: do your research, engage with your inclusion team, know your limits, and communicate openly. In doing so, you\u2019ll not only make Scouts more inclusive \u2013 you\u2019ll make it stronger.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/\u0022\u003Eplenty of resources to help you make your Scout group more accessible\u003C/a\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Inspired to make your group more inclusive?","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 November 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Find out about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Scouts ","url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Meritorious Conduct and Gallantry Awards ","url":"/volunteers/learning-development-and-awards/awards-and-recognition/meritorious-conduct-and-gallantry-awards/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Disability inclusion considerations","url":null,"newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":83794,"nodeName":"How Bob\u2019s Gallantry Award teaches us the power of inclusion in Scouts","title":"How Bob\u2019s Gallantry Award teaches us the power of inclusion in Scouts","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/5tgn4gum/bob.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db3cd2687e54b0","caption":"Bob","type":"png","size":982651,"width":904,"height":556,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"How Bob\u2019s Gallantry Award teaches us the power of inclusion in Scouts","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Bob\u0027s dedicated 55 years to Scouts and earned a Gallantry Award for his inclusion work. Read his tips for making your Group more inclusive. ","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84Mzc5NCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2024/november/how-bob-s-gallantry-award-teaches-us-the-power-of-inclusion-in-scouts/"}