Island Scouts helping out UK groups that are facing closure
WHILE hundreds of UK Scout groups face closure due to reduced fundraising opportunities in lockdown, the Guernsey Scouts are in a fortunate enough position to lend a hand.
The Scout Association has launched a new campaign to raise £300,000 to save affected groups, many of which are located in deprived inner city areas where young people ‘most need support’, it said.
Scout groups across the UK have joined efforts in a bid to raise £300,000. Scouts are dividing into four teams and will seek sponsorship to travel at least a mile each to try to become the first team to complete 43,000 miles – equivalent to around the world.
Bailiwick Commissioner Andy Snell said it was due to Guernsey’s fortunate situation in getting the Covid-19 pandemic under control that the local groups were able to resume their usual activities when the island came out of lockdown in the summer.
‘Although our fundraising is down, we are not in the same position as many of those in the UK who face closure,’ he said.
‘The reason why we think we are in that position is because we are the only district in the British Isles that has totally unrestricted Scouting activities that can take place. Everywhere else has to adhere to social distancing or limited numbers in groups.’
Guernsey is the only place which enables residential activities to go ahead.
Each leader of the various Scout groups in Guernsey can make the decision as to whether they take part in the Around the World fundraising efforts.
While the money raised will not be used locally, Mr Snell said it was important to support those groups in the UK that are suffering so they can still provide Scouting opportunities to young people elsewhere.
‘We are very fortunate that every group here has been able to provide camping experiences and continue to deliver adventurous activities in line with the #SkillsForLife initiative,’ he said.
At the end of January, the Guernsey Scouts ran a census which showed 656 young people were involved with Scouting. And at the end of the summer holidays when Scouting picked up again, the average attendance was 652.
‘Because of this success, we are looking to recruit some new leaders and adult volunteers in the hope that we can provide more Scouting opportunities to more young people on the island,’ Mr Snell said.
Prior Scouting knowledge and experience is not a requirement, as comprehensive training will be supplied.
n Anyone interested should email admin@scouts.org.gg
