Great! You have stumbled across this volunteer posting and have considered (even if just for a second) volunteering with scouts.

Well, the good news is, you have come to the right place to find out how you can create life-changing experiences for young people.

The world of scouting might seem slightly daunting at first (and trust me it's nothing like the stereotype) and this posting should provide more clarity on the different types of volunteer opportunities available with Great Western District Scouts and the benefits of volunteering with us.

Warning: There is a lot of information below. If you have any questions and wish to call/email/zoom with someone who has been through the process before, you can personally reach out to me any time (don't worry if it's 2 am) at cameron.caldwell@scouts.scot.

We will try not to get caught up in the technical jargon, abbreviations, and complex information, but rather explain to you how you can put your skills to use, learn new ones, and play an active role in your local community.

Volunteering with us means you have the opportunity to work across all age groups (6-18yrs) across our different sections. Within each section, there are typically 3 main roles:

- Section Leader

- Section Assistant Leader

- Section Assistant

The Section Leader is responsible for managing and leading the operation of a section. Section Assistant Leaders and Section Assistants support the Section Leader in this task.

In all roles, you would be expected to help the planning and delivery of a balanced programme and contribute to the operation of the section whilst working with young people, parents/carers, and other scout volunteers.

Don’t know how to put up a tent? Don’t know how to tie knots? Never worked with children before? Not a problem! Really, the role is for anyone, and volunteering is easier than you think. With full support and training, you can volunteer on a flexible basis and feel comfortable leading in a new environment.

With 12 groups in the district, our sections meet every weekday which means we can connect you with a group/section that fits around your schedule.

If you are still interested in volunteering, however not for any of the roles above, please get in touch anyway. There are many roles in scouting, and we can definitely find the right one for you.

Benefits of Volunteering:

Research has shown that volunteering has a hugely positive impact on the lives of those who volunteer.

According to the research, the majority of volunteers reported having improved life satisfaction (70%) and self-esteem (66%) since beginning volunteer work, as well as having reduced feelings of loneliness (42%) and stress (33%).

Nearly two-thirds (65%) also said that since beginning volunteer work they have developed useful employability skills; with 59% saying they feel more confident and 54% feeling more motivated in their jobs.

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Give young people the skills they need to succeed in life and discover how being a part of the scouting family can be as rewarding for you as it is for them. Even after reading this (congratulations for making it the whole way through) if you are still not quite sure, get in touch by clicking ‘Register my Interest’ above or if you would rather reach out directly, you can email me at cameron.caldwell@scouts.scot. We promise (no pun intended), there are no obligations for reaching out!

Volunteer With Us

Week by week, our volunteers empower thousands of young people to earn new skills, make new friends and stand on their own two feet. They’re our everyday heroes. They shape young people’s lives for the better, and find out a whole lot about themselves in the process, too.

Today, there are nearly 60,000 young people on the waiting list to join us in the UK. We’re more relevant and more needed than ever, but it’s not always easy to keep up with the demand.

That’s where you come in.

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. Our door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and we’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand. We’re talking about tea makers, tidy-uppers and skill sharers. We’re talking about mini bus drivers and first aiders. We’re talking about students who want to boost their CV, and parents who volunteer so they can spend more time together as a family.

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 town 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.

We provide the training. You show up, get stuck in, and make memories for life.

Sounds fun? Worthwhile? It is.

What are we looking for?

You don't need to know anything about scouting to get involved - but you do need enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved and to enjoy working with and inspiring our adult volunteers to help them complete they training.

The benefits of volunteering with Scouting

Volunteering with Scouts can enrich your life – don’t just take our word for it. Over 90% of our volunteers say that their Scout experiences are hugely beneficial:

• Gain Skills - We have an award-winning training scheme for our volunteers so you get as much from it as our amazing young people, including practical skills like first aid and transferable skills like communication and leadership.
• Boost Your CV - More than two thirds of our volunteers say their CVs have been enhanced by joining Scouts. Employers love to see the commitment of volunteers, and through Scouts you can get vital experience in areas like management, administration and activities.
• Make New Friends - A whopping 97% of our volunteers say their involvement has helped them forge new friendships.
• Change Lives - There’s no better feeling than making a difference to communities and transforming the lives of young people. How’s that for job satisfaction?

Flexible Volunteering in Scouting

The only prerequisite to volunteer with us – apart from enthusiasm, of course – is that you're over 18. We know our volunteers lead busy lives, so we’re all about flexibility: whatever the time and skills available we can find a great role for you.

You can choose to volunteer with us once a week, twice a month or once a year – in the thick of activities with young people or behind the scenes in management, executive or support roles.

All our activities are run by volunteers. You might want to join us because you want to:
>Try something new
>Make Friends
>Spend time with your children
>Gain experience towards a qualification
>Do something good for your community and yourself
>Keep active
>Support young people to gain #SkillsForLife

Whichever way you volunteer, you will 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.

So if you would like to volunteer, please get in touch!

Please note, all volunteers are required to complete a PVG.