Building for the future Providing opportunities for young people “The recent development project, funded to develop and reach their full potential through YUF, has delivered not only new in less privileged parts of our society is Sections to fill gaps in existing Groups, but always important as it helps to reduce completely new Groups too. The lessons the attainment gap. Scouts Scotland has learned from the process will inform the welcomed with open arms the opportunity Region's approach to further development to be part of the UK Wide Uniformed Youth planning and opportunities. Clyde Region Social Action Project that has been funded looks forward to using all opportunities through the Youth United Foundation (YUF) and resources to bring Scouting not only to offer Scouting in ‘hard to reach areas’ to more young people and adults but to and we are delighted with the results that a wider spectrum of our communities. we have achieved. This resource will assist us with that. Two Local Development Officers (LDOs) in South West and Clyde Regions have helped local Scouting to welcome 29 Sections, Marion Rankin 300 young people and 90 adults into the Regional Commissioner, Scouting family. We are indebted to the Clyde Region local leadership teams that have gone the extra mile to provide support, advice “The availability of a part time Local and encouragement to help the Sections Development Officer has been invaluable get started and keep going. We know it is in terms of starting new Sections and possible, if sometimes a challenge, to offer new Groups across both North and East Scouting in new communities and we hope Ayrshire. The LDO has delivered an this resource will provide encouragement enormous boost to not only the numbers and support to Scouting throughout of young people and adults in Scouting Scotland to take up this challenge. in the South West, but has also allowed us to extend the fun and adventure of Let’s all work together to bring Scouting Scouting to a large number of young to more young people in Scotland. people with special needs. As we move forward there will be new challenges ahead but this project has provided real momentum in the Region on which Anne Whiteford we can build in the future.” Scottish Headquarters Commissioner, Development Colin Williamson Regional Commissioner, South West Region 1 Every Scout knows it makes sense to ‘Be Prepared’. Planning your project is vital to its success. So do some background work and take key decisions at the start. Here are some helpful tips on: • Where to start your research • How to find funding • How to get others on board. All of which are important and will give you information on where best to focus your efforts. 2 3 Level of Scouting: District Opportunities for development: Help: • Draw up a map of the District’s Scout Check for adults at District level who Groups and Sections. Are there any can help with specific parts of the obvious geographical gaps? development process. • Perhaps some Groups don’t have • Is there a functioning Appointments all Sections or excessive waiting lists? Advisory Committee with members Mapping it out helps show areas for who may be flexible over when and development. where they meet? They may have good knowledge of the area for development, Research • Check local census information to understand what makes a good Leader see if Scouting reflects the community. in an area of high deprivation or be Where can you find opportunities for development Consider gender, BME, social deprivation, familiar with specific areas of the Equal faith and ethnicity. Is there scope for and get the help you’ll need? Find out here. Opportunities Policy. possible development? • Are there adults who can train new • Are there vacancies within the District volunteers as and when necessary? Roles Structure, both at Group and Remember, new volunteers with no District level? Recruiting adults to fill Level of Scouting: Scouting background are likely to need the posts is all part of development training before starting a new Section work and it helps boost the number Existing Groups or Group. of adult Scouting members. • New volunteers will need support. Opportunities for development: Help: How to find out: Are there adults within the District who can help out for the first six to 12 weeks, • Groups may have a waiting list of young • Could young people or adults • Speak directly to District Commissioners so new volunteers are comfortable with people. Could they form a new Section? help out at taster events, school and District Executive Committees. the set-up and routines? assemblies, recruitment fairs? • Adults may wish to change Groups, • Contact Scouts Scotland Headquarters • Check for programmes or lists of try a different location or time. Some • Groups may have resources they for census information. local Scouting events such as fun days may want a new role in Scouting, to are happy to share. or camps, so new Sections or Groups move from Sectional Assistant Leader • Many adults are happy to share their can get involved. to Leader, or Leader to Group Scout experiences and help new volunteers Leader. Could they be transferred or Groups get started. to start new Sections? • Check whether Groups have suitable venues to accommodate a new Section. How to find out: Arrange to visit and speak to Group Scout Leaders and Section Leaders. 4 5 Level of Scouting: Working example A Regional The Local Development Officer (LDO) employed by Scouts Scotland spoke at District Committee Meetings in Clyde Region. District Commissioners Opportunities for development: Help: (DCs) were an invaluable source of geographical knowledge, sound Scouting • How will the new development feed • Regional members may be able to step knowledge and provided an overview of strategic growth for their area. into the Region’s strategic priorities? in with help at times when District level The meetings meant they could discuss the type of growth wanted and members aren’t available. • Are there posts within the Regional Roles how it could be achieved. Structure that haven’t been filled? Filling those will boost the number of adult There are many sources of help and information outside of Scouting members in Scouting. too, such as: How to find out: Local Councils: Schools: Speak directly to the Regional Make connections with the local council Local schools are an obvious source Executive Committee and Regional for funding opportunities, resources of young people for your Section Commissioner. Remember to make and signposting to other agencies. Are or Group. They can also provide the District Commissioner aware of they aware of Scouting and how it could accommodation, community support this course of action. contribute to their own plans? If you can and links to people - like parents - who prove Scouting helps achieve some of their may become volunteers. Meet head aims and objectives, then opportunities may teachers of local schools and share your arise. Check you’re speaking to the correct ideas for development. Remember, in department. some local authority areas you will need permission to approach the school. Other community groups: These can offer local knowledge and links to other organisations. They may be able to provide accommodation for new Sections or share resources. Some may even be a good source of volunteers. Introduce yourself to key community workers to discuss development ideas. Use Community Councils, Neighbourhood Partnerships, Residents Associations and Tenants Groups too. 6 7 Working example B Top tip: Top tip: The LDO in Ayrshire met the Youth Services Team Manager at North Accommodation can be expensive. Start planning funding early, then keep Ayrshire Council. The result was a valuable insight into areas where the Don’t underestimate the value of an planning throughout the year. Keep an offer of free premises. Tracking down eye on periodic grant applications or council hoped to boost youth provision and where there may be conflict a place to use for free, at least until for the next fundraising activity. with other groups. There was guidance towards accommodation, possible the group is sustainable, can be worth the effort. sources of volunteers and resources. In Stevenston, the LDO was directed to which part of town needed a youth provision, and to available halls and contacts within other groups. Working example C Funding your development You’ll find funding opportunities here: The 55th Ayrshire (Dalry) Group had a hall but it was in need of repair. Scouting has always been capable The Scout Association has a Development The group restarted in a local church hall and applied to Trust Funds for of creating amazing work on a Grants Fund for large development projects. grants to help with the repair work. A local wind power company provided Find out more at www.scouts.org.uk shoe-string budget. a grant for the hall renovation. Plus, it offered to pay the Group’s hall hire But there are many sources of funding Scouts Scotland offers grants of up fees. So don’t be afraid to ask for help. available too. Funding can help with to £3,500 to support the development development start-up costs like: of Scouting in Scotland. Check the website: www.scouts.scot • Rent for new accommodation Top tip: Local councils usually have Funding Look out for free training Here are four top tips • Resources for sessions, training, Officers who can provide details of local opportunities to help new to help you ‘Be Prepared’ uniforms, badges, certificates and national funding opportunities, their volunteers, either from other • Membership fees for young people criteria and deadlines. organisations or from your District. 1. Do your research: Good research • Marketing materials, leaflets and posters Local funding can be found in a variety of will define which route your places such as windfarms, landfill tax, local Top tip: project takes.