Thank you for taking on your new role in Scouting. You are joining the most successful youth movement the world has ever seen!
Scouting is about everyday people working as leaders and supporters in their communities, giving young people confidence, a sense of purpose, life values and outdoor skills that are hard to find anywhere else.
Whichever role you are taking on, you will have the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and give something back to your community. You will be helping young people gain skills for life and have amazing adventures as part of the largest youth organisation in the UK.
Before you begin
- Do think about why you want to volunteer.
- Don’t start volunteering until you know what will be expected of you
- Do ask about local Scouting and decide where you will fit in.
- Don’t over commit yourself initially.
- Do be determined to enjoy yourself.
Try some of our activities
- See how volunteers plan ahead using our interactive programme tool
- Browse through the skill-boosting badges young people work towards
- Check out the A-Z of Activities we run at Scouts
Remember: every group’s different, and nobody’s expected to lead a group of young people right away (or ever, if they’d rather help in other ways) – your local group/unit will discuss the different tasks you might like to do
Find out how we keep young people safe
- Read our Young People First code of practice
- Download our Safe Scouting cards
Become a member
We want to find the right fit for you in Scouting, and knowing more about your interests and skills is definitely helpful. We ask you to provide some basic information about yourself so that we can register you in Compass, the Scouts online membership system.
Most Scouting volunteers are also required a disclosure, and we will request it for you free of charge. Your manager or local volunteer team will help you check your documents and submit your application.
They are there to support you, and you can always ask questions if you are not sure about which documents to use. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
Our number one priority is keeping people safe, and that means you too. The disclosure is an important part of making safe appointment decisions. It’s about making sure that only appropriate people work with vulnerable groups, including children.
Start your learning
All our new volunteers complete some learning with us when they join
If you’d like to get ahead, we’ve put together some e-learning to complete from the comfort of your own home:
- Complete Essential Info
- Complete Safeguarding
- Complete Safety
- Complete GDPR
- Complete Trustee Introduction (Trustee Board Members)
If you are curious to know more about which training modules we offer to our volunteers, check the Module Matrix.
You might also want to find out more about how we’re structured
Have your appointment meeting
To welcome you to the wider team, you’ll be invited to an welcome meeting with 3 volunteers from your area. This is an informal conversation where you’ll find out a bit more about Scouts, and ask any questions you like.
It’s also a chance for you to check you’re comfortable with the role, the tasks you’re taking on and the responsibilities involved. There’ll be an opportunity to talk through our key policies and understand the Scout Promise (but relax, we won’t make you memorise it).
The conversation should last around 30-45 minutes, and can be held face to face or online.
That’s it!
Remember your local volunteer team is there to support you through this entire journey, and you can always count on them.
Standing up for what we believe in
Read about how we make sure everyone’s welcome – and well-represented – at Scouts
Learn about our values
Find out about our commitment to anti-racism
Our values
Integrity – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Respect – We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care – We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief – We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Co-operation – We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.
Scout perks and discounts
Psst! Thanks to our supporters, Scouts are entitled to a whole host of good stuff, including:
Money off your next adventure
- 10-20% off at GO Outdoors
- 40% off at GRAVITY Active Entertainment
Help with your health and wellbeing
They also get access to all the resources our amazing supporters provide, from coding lessons to campaign support to cake recipes
Adult Badges and uniform
We believe that volunteers shouldn’t be left out of pockets and your first uniform is given to you for free by your group/unit.
In addition to this we give all leaders in Mersey Weaver a significant discount on uniform and Mersey Weaver branded clothing.
Volunteering its #GoodForYou
All our activities are run by volunteers, who might join us because they want to:
- Try something new
- Make friends
- Spend time with their children – or gain experience with young people
- Do something good for their community and themselves
- Keep their bodies and brains active and happy – whether that’s by scaling mountains, sharing skills or serving tea
All end up making a huge difference to young people’s lives – gifting them with skills for life, and learning a whole lot about themselves along the way.
Useful Resources
Take a flick through the additional information on the pages below…
