{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is District-wide recruitment?\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAre your Groups locally creating their own flyers, contacting the same university or competing for attention on social media?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDistrict-wide recruitment is the idea that Groups shouldn\u0027t be working alone to try and bring new adults through the door, but instead be working together, with support from their District, to grow.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EHow can this approach benefit you?\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022\u0022 data-block=\u0022true\u0022 data-editor=\u00229slv1\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022a0fa-0-0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022a0fa-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003EFor Scouts to thrive, we need to work together. When it comes to volunteer recruitment, that\u0027s no different and there are many benefits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022a0fa-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022a0fa-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003EBy working on this together, we can:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022a0fa-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022a0fa-0-0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003ESupport the Groups who need more volunteers but don\u0027t have the time or ability to find them\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003ESave time by avoiding unnecessary duplication\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIncrease our reach for new volunteers\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFairly distribute volunteers across Groups\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EStrengthen collaboration between Groups\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECreate a professional and impactful vision of Scouts in the community\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022\u0022 data-block=\u0022true\u0022 data-editor=\u00229slv1\u0022 data-offset-key=\u00221tpjg-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022\u0022 data-block=\u0022true\u0022 data-editor=\u00229slv1\u0022 data-offset-key=\u00221t2lv-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022\u0022 data-block=\u0022true\u0022 data-editor=\u00229slv1\u0022 data-offset-key=\u00228c9ou-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022\u0022 data-block=\u0022true\u0022 data-editor=\u00229slv1\u0022 data-offset-key=\u00225hc8d-0-0\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat can you do?\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Use the task matrix","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESit down with your Team and get on paper:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHow you can support your Groups with recruitment\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat you can do as a District to recruit volunteers\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWho will be taking on each task\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhen each task will be reviewed\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo help you build your plan, use the District-wide recruitment task matrix. In there you\u0027ll find tasks that are broken down into \u003Cstrong\u003Efour categories\u003C/strong\u003E:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECommunity connection\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEvents\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInternal communication\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EResource creation\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach category contains plenty of ideas to get you going and are all designed, via extensive research, \u003Cstrong\u003Eto create the best environment for volunteer recruitment\u003C/strong\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"District Recruitment Support Matrix","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/lyibqsl1/district-recruitment-support-matrix.xlsx","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReady to welcome new volunteers?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ELets say things go well (which they will!). Now you have lots of new volunteers wanting to join different Groups across the District - can you handle them?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBefore\u003C/strong\u003E starting volunteer recruitment in this way, you\u0027ll need to have a few things sorted first. Go through the list below:\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHave someone who can focus on it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECall them what you want, a \u0022\u003Cstrong\u003EGrowth Coordinator\u003C/strong\u003E\u0022, \u0022\u003Cstrong\u003ERecruitment Guru\u003C/strong\u003E\u0022 or \u0022\u003Cstrong\u003EVolunteer Recruiter\u003C/strong\u003E\u0022, but whoever they are, add them to your Volunteering Development Team and support them in creating a plan of action.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Growth lead"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA crucial part of the joining journey for a brand new volunteer is the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/welcoming-volunteers/welcome-conversations/\u0022 title=\u0022Welcome Conversations\u0022\u003EWelcome Conversation\u003C/a\u003E. This is your opportunity to find them the right place, make sure they\u0027re comfortable with what they\u0027re agreeing to and kick their volunteer journey at the Scouts off in a really positive way.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDoes your District have a process in place for organising these?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt could be as simple as a group chat to connect Group Lead Volunteers and Welcome Conversation accredited volunteers. Or it might be easier to have a coordinator who finds the right people for the job.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever you work it, you need a smooth process in place so that when a new adult joins, their Lead Volunteer can organise a Welcome Conversation as easily as possible.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Welcome Conversation process"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMake it clear to everyone what your local process is for getting criminal record checks done.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIs this up to the Groups to sort? Or do you have a District team that deals with them?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhatever it is, \u003Cstrong\u003Eput your process into a document\u003C/strong\u003E and share it so everyone who needs to know, is in the know.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Criminal record check process"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen you have people approaching you to join a Group, you need to be ready to handle them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHave your growth lead, or Volunteering Development Team, prepped to answer enquiries quickly, get the right information from them and find the best fit for each individual.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECreating a\u0026nbsp;document to outline who does what is going to be really useful here. Write it, share it and review it regularly to make sure it\u0027s working for you.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Handling enquiries"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are many other aspects to the joining journey that Groups need to be aware of and ready for so a new volunteer has a smooth start to their time in Scouts. This includes:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAdding a new volunteer to the membership system\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDeclarations\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGrowing Roots learning\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFirst Response learning\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EReferences\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESignpost your Groups to the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/welcoming-volunteers/joining-journey/\u0022 title=\u0022Joining Journey\u0022\u003EJoining Journey\u003C/a\u003E pages so they can understand the process.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Joining journey"}]}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EGrowth support for all\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhether it\u0027s at Group, District or County-level, we have plenty of support and ideas for growth:\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Create a plan","buttonLink":{"name":"The recruitment cycle","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/growing-scouts/recruit-more-volunteers/the-recruitment-cycle/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"6e6e6e","label":"6e6e6e"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Recruit volunteers","buttonLink":{"name":"Recruit more volunteers","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/growing-scouts/recruit-more-volunteers/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"6e6e6e","label":"6e6e6e"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Advertise your opportunities","buttonLink":{"name":"Volunteering opportunities tool user guide","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/volunteer-experience/digital-tool-guides/manage-volunteer-enquiries/volunteering-opportunities-tool-user-guide/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"6e6e6e","label":"6e6e6e"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Join a recruitment webinar","buttonLink":{"name":"Volunteer Recruitment Webinars","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/growing-scouts/recruit-more-volunteers/volunteer-recruitment-webinars/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"6e6e6e","label":"6e6e6e"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EBring the District together\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHelp your District to work closer by bringing them together:\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDon\u0027t rely on a single communication channel. Use a mix- email, WhatsApp, Facebook, newsletters \u0026amp; face-to-face meetings to reach different audiences and strengthen connections.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Expand your communications"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBring volunteers together through informal events and activities. Strong relationships across the district create a supportive network, encourage collaboration, and strengthen volunteer engagement.\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIdeas include\u003C/strong\u003E BBQs, Scout \u0027skills training\u0027 socials, campfires, and volunteer appreciation evenings.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Volunteer socials"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHave a District \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/development-planning/\u0022 title=\u0022Development planning\u0022\u003Edevelopment planning\u003C/a\u003E session. A clear plan helps maximise impact across the district!\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Development planning"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEncourage groups to share ideas, resources and successes with each other. Working together helps create a strong district, where everyone benefits from knoledge, experience \u0026amp; support.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThis could include;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EJoint camps between groups\u003Cbr\u003ELeaders visiting other sections to run activities or gain knoledge\u003Cbr\u003EShared programme planning\u003Cbr\u003EPair groups for joint sessions\u003Cbr\u003EDistrict wide events- Hikes, activity days\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Encourage sharing"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp data-start=\u002245\u0022 data-end=\u0022341\u0022\u003EThe District is there to support and work alongside every Group. This means being visible, visiting Groups, and providing practical advice and guidance. These visits create opportunities to share news, promote upcoming opportunities, and better understand the needs of local volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp data-start=\u0022343\u0022 data-end=\u0022753\u0022 data-is-last-node=\u0022\u0022 data-is-only-node=\u0022\u0022\u003EBeing accessible is just as important as being present. Volunteers should know who their District team is and how to contact them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp data-start=\u0022343\u0022 data-end=\u0022753\u0022 data-is-last-node=\u0022\u0022 data-is-only-node=\u0022\u0022\u003EConsider whether team photos are available so volunteers can easily recognise District volunteers, and ensure contact details are clear, up to date, and easy to find. Building familiarity and strong connections helps create a more supportive and collaborative Scouting community.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"District presence"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Image top","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou can do a lot for free but to really boost your chances of finding new volunteers, you might need to spend some money. This could be on:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPrinting flyers\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBuying banners\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERunning a paid ad campaign\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGetting freebies for a community event!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you need financial support for this, you could try speaking to your County or have a look at our \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/grants-and-funds-for-your-local-group/\u0022 title=\u0022Grants and funds for your local group\u0022\u003Egrants and funds pages\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"Don\u0027t forget your finances!","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EExtra ideas\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are plenty more ideas and resources that will help you and your District to find new volunteers. Take a look at some below:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022\u0022 data-block=\u0022true\u0022 data-editor=\u0022ava0t\u0022 data-offset-key=\u0022bj7sr-0-0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/get-more-young-people-involved/waiting-lists/\u0022 title=\u0022Waiting lists\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-text=\u0022true\u0022\u003EWaiting list guidance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E - look after your waiting list and they could look after you\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/recruit-more-volunteers/adult-talks/from-adult-helper-to-front-and-centre/\u0022 title=\u0022From adult helper to front and centre\u0022\u003EAdult helper to front and center\u003C/a\u003E - convert your helpers to be part of the team\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/social-media-toolkit/\u0022 title=\u0022Social media toolkit\u0022\u003ESocial media toolkit \u003C/a\u003E- use social media to boost your recruitment\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/recruit-more-volunteers/the-recruitment-cycle/spread-the-word-and-create-interest/\u0022 title=\u0022Spread the word and create interest\u0022\u003ESpread the word\u003C/a\u003E - let people know you\u0027re looking for volunteers!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"23 April 2026","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":89454,"nodeName":"District-wide recruitment support","title":"District-wide recruitment support","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"District-wide recruitment support","headerSubTitle":"We work better when we work together. 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