{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"","standfirst":"Oak Eagle Explorers Scouts joined Dame Rachel de Souza, The Children\u2019s Commissioner for England, on Cromer beach this week to have their say in The Big Future survey.  ","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe Explorers from Hertfordshire,\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;were on an adventure holiday in Norfolk,\u0026nbsp;took part in the conversation\u0026nbsp;before heading into the waves for a surfing lesson.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EThey shared their views on possible social media restrictions for under 16s,\u003Cspan\u003E mental health and their hopes for the future too. \u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe Big Future is the Children Commissioner\u2019s\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;landmark\u0026nbsp;survey, aiming to listen to one million young people on a range of issues to help shape national policy.\u0026nbsp;Dame Rachel and her team have made\u0026nbsp;numerous\u0026nbsp;visits to meet with young people, including hiking\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2026/may/childrens-commissioner-joins-scouts-to-shape-the-big-future/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 class=\u0022Hyperlink SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003Ewith Scouts on Hadrian\u2019s Wall\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;speaking with\u0026nbsp;them on Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/zdzpfkyu/surfing-explorer-scouts.jpg","width":2048,"height":1152,"altText":"A group of people lined up on a beach holding surf boards with buildings behind.","caption":"Oak Eagle Explorers Scouts excited to get in the water. ","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EMaking waves\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EAgainst the backdrop of the famous Cromer Pier, and on\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ecarnival day in the coastal town,\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ethe\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003EExplorers\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eaired their\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eviews\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eon the issues that mattered most to them.\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;They talked frankly about how they felt coming out of lockdown, and how this has shaped the years since\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;at both school and at home\u003C/span\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EThey spoke about how important the friendships and connections made in Scouts were throughout this time \u2013 and how they continue to\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ehelp\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;them today\u003C/span\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW262618545 BCX0\u0022\u003EThey also gave thoughts and advice on\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;use of\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Emobile\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ephones \u2013 including\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Etheir own strategies to reduce screen time, and\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ehow to\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eimprove advice for parents.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/vnjjxmql/scarf-handover.jpg","width":1690,"height":1152,"altText":"A close up of group of people sitting on a beach handing over a yellow scarf.","caption":"The Explorers handing Dame Rachel de Souza their unit scarf. ","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003EPositive change\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018It was good to talk about the struggles with my generation and what we\u2019d like fixed,\u2019 said Explorer Scout, Milly.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018Meeting Rachel de Souza was a really\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Egood experience\u0027, said Sebastian.\u003Cspan\u003E \u0027\u003C/span\u003EIt\u2019s\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;good to know our opinions will\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eactually be\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;taken on board.\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018It was really nice to meet with someone who is able to take our suggestions and make a change with them,\u2019 said Wilbur, \u2018and really contribute to the future.\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018I\u2019ve had such an amazing day here at Cromer,\u2019 said Dame Rachel. \u2018We had time to sit down and talk about the important things in life. The\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;young people\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;talked about the online world, how to cut down on phone\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eand gaming\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eusage, how to help others with this and advice to give to parents.\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW162939084 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018Scouts is fantastic \u2013\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eit\u2019s\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Edoing things together and forming a real bond. Meeting with people from different\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ewalks of life\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eand getting together in the great outdoors.\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/wjlgeef1/discussion-2.jpg","width":1568,"height":943,"altText":"A group of people huddled and chatting on a beach with a pier in the background","caption":"Oak Eagle Explorer Scouts chatting with Dame Rachel de Souza.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch4 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003EFeeling proud\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003EExplorers\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0thanked Dame Rachel\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eby awarding her\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Ea\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003EScout scarf. The team then donned wetsuits, picked up\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Etheir\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Esurf board\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0and headed into the\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Esea under the expert tuition of\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Ethe team at Glide Surf School.\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003ESoon, all\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0were riding waves as if\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Ethey\u2019d\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0been surfing all their lives.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW7816744 BCX0\u0022\u003EClair Calver, the 14-24 Lead for Letchworth, Baldock and Ashwell District was\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eone of the\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Evolunteers\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0supporting the young people. \u2018The Explorers were\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eabsolutely outstanding. I was listening at the back,\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0and I was so proud of them. I could take them anywhere and they always do me proud.\u2019\u00A0\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Learn more about The Big Future survey","buttonLink":{"name":"The Big Future Survey","id":null,"url":"https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-future/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"590fa9","label":"590FA9"},"alignment":"left"}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 August 2026","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"Children\u2019s Commissioner for England joins Scouts for walk and talk to shape The Big Future","title":"Children\u2019s Commissioner for England joins Scouts for walk and talk to shape The Big Future","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2026/may/childrens-commissioner-joins-scouts-to-shape-the-big-future/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"The Big Future","title":"The Big Future","url":"https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-future/","newWindow":false}],"id":90838,"nodeName":"Scouts on board with Children\u2019s Commissioner\u2019s Big Future survey","title":"Scouts on board with Children\u2019s Commissioner\u2019s Big Future survey ","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/zdzpfkyu/surfing-explorer-scouts.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dd309ce9441ed0","caption":"Surfing Explorer Scouts","type":"jpg","size":362732,"width":2048,"height":1152,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Scouts on board with Children\u2019s Commissioner\u2019s Big Future survey ","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Oak Eagle Explorers Scouts joined The Children\u2019s Commissioner for England, on Cromer beach to have their say in the Big Future Survey.  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