Headlines:
Your local Scout Group wants to enable more young people to enjoy Scouting
Key weblink: Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 22nd November at 7.30pm here https://sesscouts.org.uk/midlothian-scouts-volunteering-event/

Note: We know everyone is busy so this event is taking place online to fit in around family, work and life. It’ll only take 1 hour and will be really informative.

Midlothian Scouts is looking to the local community, ordinary people who can make an extraordinary difference to the lives of local young people. They are appealing for help to reduce the youth waiting list and support over 200 more young people to benefit from Scouts. Scouting has a reputation for helping young people to develop resilience, a positive character, respect for others, good community skills, as well as physical and mental fitness. Can you help inspire the doers and give it a goers of the future!

Demand by young people to join Scouts in Midlothian now exceeds the number of new adult volunteers required to support them. Did you know there are over 200 young people on the Midlothian Scouts waiting list? Midlothian Scouts has Groups in Rosewell, Glencorse, Bonnyrigg, Gorebridge, Mayfield, Newtongrange, and Penicuik needs new helpers to enable more young people to join Scouting.

We all have the power to help young people to realise their potential. You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to join us. You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent. Their door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and they’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand. There’s lots of ways you can get more involved with Scouts as a parent, carer or family member. From helping out occasionally on a family rota or as part of our Executive Committee to stepping up as a leader, our volunteering activities are as varied as you. The good news is you shape what you do and the time you have to give. Scouts happens when a lot of us give a little …and no, you don’t have to be a Scout or outdoors expert to volunteer.

Are you passionate about seeing local young people succeed? Are you a team player with a positive, can-do attitude? Do you enjoy fun activities? Do you want to do more in your community? Are you more of a ‘behind the scenes’ person? Do you have a skill or hobby you can share? Then this event is right up your street. Scouts has the opportunities – you just show up, get stuck in and make memories for life!

FACT 1: There are 7 Scout Groups in Midlothian who want to provide more Scouting to more local young children.

FACT 2: You don’t need to have specific skills or be a former Scout to lend a hand.

FACT 3: Midlothian Scouts has a youth waiting list of 210 which represents a staggering 45% of their existing membership.

FACT 4: If you volunteer as a Leader to get involved now then there is a chance you can ensure your child could get automatic entry into their preferred Scout Group.

FACT 5: You don’t have to have previous Scouting experience to get involved.

As a District, Midlothian Scouts want to offer local children the chance to participate in all the fun experiences and adventures they do in Scouting week to week such as, camping, fire-lighting, climbing and abseiling, and yes, learning how to tie and use knots (these will come in handy in later life!).

Most of our volunteers work directly with young people aged 4-18 through our Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Explorer groups – helping young people gain skills for life through fun activities.

District Commissioner, Richard Fairbairn, said, “Whatever your skillset, lend a hand for as little or as much time as you can spare, and we promise you’ll get more out than you put in. Because whether you’re helping a leader to run an activity in the local hall, organising a night away, or buttering 120 slices of bread a group of very hungry eleven year olds – no two Scout meetings are the same. The difference you make, though, is always great.”

Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 22nd November at 7.30pm here https://sesscouts.org.uk/midlothian-scouts-volunteering-event/