Help others

Removing social barriers, connecting communities and improving lives

As Scouts, we’re always striving to leave the world a little better than we found it.

Over the last one hundred years, the issues we’ve tackled have evolved and changed, but our young people’s drive to make a positive impact remains constant.

Participating in our A Million Hands programme is one way Scouts can take action and achieve their Community Impact Staged Activity Badge. It provides ready-made activities and programme ideas centred on six national themes, chosen by our young people themselves.

Playing your part starts in the village hall.

Throughout history, Scouts have always broken down barriers. Now, we want to empower more young people to take a stand. To raise their voices and stand tall, closing the gaps between people and generations. Most importantly, we want to gift them with the confidence and skills they need to recognise their ability and go out in the world blazing a trail.

Our volunteers have seen it happen before. And when it happens to your young person, you’ll know, too. Because something will stir. And just like Andrew, a leader from 6^th East Kilbride – you’ll step back and see them thinking: ‘Wow, I can really do something here, and I’m only seven!’ And then they’ll go out and do it, and you’ll know that it’s just the beginning.

Did you know?

Over 90,000 Community Impact Staged Activity Badges have been earned since 2015

Scouts have contributed 700,000 hours of action since 2015

22,000 Scouts have been trained as Dementia Friends.

Scouts are one-third more likely to take an active role in their communities

Scouts are one-third more likely to help out in their local area, feel greater responsibility to their local community and volunteer to help others

Scouts are 18% more likely to be curious about the world around them and 12% more likely to accept diversity in other people’s backgrounds and beliefs.

The 5 steps of an A Million Hands project

Our Themes

Our young people told us they were passionate about taking action on the following themes and selected six expert charity partners to support them.

Protecting our environment

Our natural world is under threat like never before.

With a little help from our friends at WWF, we’re fighting to protect it while there’s still time – restoring thriving habitats, bringing species back from the brink, and tackling the root causes behind nature’s decline, such as climate change.

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Ending homelessness

Homelessness isn’t inevitable. With the right solutions in place we can build a fairer society, where no one is without safe home to call their own.

Partnering with Crisis and Simon Community NI, we’re enhancing young people’s understanding of the many factors that contribute to homelessness, and showing them how they can help end the problem for good.

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Supporting refugees and displaced children

Wherever they’re from and wherever they live, all children deserve to grow up in safe and secure surroundings.

We’re partnering with Save the Children to combat stereotypes and raise awareness of the issues displaced children face – building welcoming communities and connecting with fellow Scouts in conflict-affected areas.

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Better mental health for all

One in ten young people in the UK has a mental health problem that could stop them experiencing life to the fullest, but research shows they don’t always understand what mental health is or how to look after it.

Working alongside Mind, SAMH and Inspire, we’re empowering Scouts to take good care of their mental health, now and in the future.

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Understanding disability

Public understanding of disability has come a long way, but there’s still so much we can do to increase opportunities, reduce social isolation and create spaces where everyone can thrive.

With support from the National Autistic Society, our young people will become advocates for inclusion, and build a more considerate world.

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