Scouting is Growing in South East Scotland!
As 2024 draws to a close (can you believe how fast it’s flown by?), I’ve been taking a moment to reflect and look back on some of the year’s highlights and how we’ve moved forward with our Regional Strategy. Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing more updates on our progress. This year has seen us make major strides in expanding Scouting’s reach and impact across the region. From reopening historic groups to launching brand-new sections, it’s clear: Scouting is thriving, and it’s all thanks to the incredible dedication of all of you, our amazing Volunteers. You are all awesome. While reflecting, I want to spotlight one of our biggest achievements this year: the impressive growth in Scouting across the Region. A Year of Growth: The Highlights As an actuary in my day job, I always have to include some numbers. 2024 has been nothing short of epic for Scouting in South East Scotland. Here’s a quick snapshot: Two new Scout Groups launched 15 sections opened or reopened, including: 6 Squirrel dreys 3 Beaver colonies 3 Cub packs 2 Scout troops 1 Explorer unit More than 2,100 adult volunteers are now supporting our young people across the Region! This level of growth is massive, and it wouldn’t be possible without our tireless volunteers. A special shout-out goes to our District Lead Volunteers, who despite juggling countless tasks have devoted time to focus on growth and development to help expand and strengthen Scouting in their communities. Your hard work, often unrecognised and behind the scenes, is what makes all of this possible. Thank you! But numbers only tell part of the story. Recently, I have enjoyed the opportunity to engage with many of our new sections and groups. Stories of Revival and Community Spirit Jamie, Ben, Chris & Martin at 9th Braid Investiture 9th Braid Scout Group: Back in Action! Earlier this month, the reopening of the 9th Braid Scout Group at George Watson’s College started a new and exciting chapter in its long history. I had the honour of performing the first investitures, welcoming leaders Ben and Jamie into one of our oldest Scout Groups, having first formed back in 1908 (find out more in their extensive archive). They then had the joy of investing the members of their new Beaver Colony and Cub Pack. It’s been a labour of love to get this group back on its feet, and it’s paying off with over 25 young people now enjoying the opportunities that Scouting provides! Hats off to Ben and Jamie, with vital support from Chris and Lead Volunteer Greig as well as their Trustee Board. 7th Ehsan Midlothian Scout Group: The New Kid on the Block In August, the 7th Ehsan Scout Group invited families in Bonnyrigg to join them for an open day. I was delighted to join them for the day, which was a blast, with kids trying out activities and discovering what Scouting is all about. Big thanks to Richard Fairbairn, District Lead Volunteer for Midlothian, and Zahid, Group Lead Volunteer from the 8th Salaam Braid Group for bringing their energy and passion. Since then, both a Beaver colony and Cub pack have kicked off, and we can’t wait to see this group grow. Further thanks are due to Richard and his district team, as well as the new volunteers in the group for their enthusiasm in getting the new group established. 7th Ehsan Midlothian Scout Group Open Day 20th AlFonj Edinburgh North East Scout Group Learning Day 20th AlFonj Edinburgh NE Scout Group: A Community Hub One of the most inspiring stories this year has been the rise of the 20th AlFonj Scout Group in Niddrie/Craigmillar. Driven by the local Sudanese community’s desire for Scouting, the group, led by Group Lead Volunteer, Fawzia, has brought together volunteers to create a space for all sections—from Squirrels to Scouts. I, along with other members of the Regional Team, were privileged to host and run a Learning day and were blown away by the enthusiasm and energy that the volunteers have for Scouting and supporting the young people. It’s clear this group is going to be a pillar in their community. As well as Fawzia and her team, my thanks to Bill Ramsay as Lead Volunteer for Edinburgh North East and the District team for the work that they have done to support the new group getting started. These stories are just the tip of the iceberg. Even more new sections are set to launch in the coming months, bringing the joy of Scouting to even more young people across the region. The Dream Team Behind the Growth None of this would be possible without the efforts of our dedicated Scouting Support Staff, Nacho and Amy. In just six months, they’ve injected so much energy and creativity into our growth strategy, helping bring more volunteers into the movement. And let’s not forget Calum Harvie, Local Growth Officer at Scouts Scotland, whose support has been invaluable. Together, they’ve been instrumental in helping us reach new communities and offer Scouting to more young people than ever before. Growing for the Future Martin with Adult Volunteers and Young Leaders from across all 7 Districts at Bonaly Explorer Scout Young Leaders are key to our growth as they provide vital support to our sections and also the skills that they learn as Young Leaders help prepare them to lead our Sections and Groups in the future. Despite being heavily jetlagged I was delighted to join 62 of our Young Leaders recently for a dedicated day at Bonaly where they took part in a wide range of activities and shared ideas which will help shape Scouting in the Region. I would like to thank Allison Gamble and her team of volunteers as well as the team at Bonaly for putting on an amazing day. It was also appropriate that part of the funding for the day came from money raised in memory of Ken Thomson, for whom Growth and Learning were strong passions throughout his
Learning Update – October 2024
Getting Started With Transformation coming in November, it is important that anyone on a pre-provisional or provisional appointment, completes and has validated the current Getting Started modules (GDPR, Safety, Safeguarding, Module 1 and Modules 3 or 4). Validation of these modules will go towards completion of Growing Roots in the new system but must be validated in advance of the Compass Freeze on 7th November. Growing Roots The replacement for Getting Started in the new system will be Growing Roots. Within 30 days of starting to volunteer with Scouts, new volunteers must complete: Safe Scouting Within 6 months of commencing, all new volunteers will need to complete: Who we are and what we do. Data protection for Scouts. Creating Inclusion. Plus depending on your role, one of the following: Delivering a great programme (Section Team Leaders and Members) Leading Scout Volunteers (Lead Volunteers and Team Leaders, except Section Team Leaders) Being a Trustee in Scouts (new Trustees) Information on how current volunteers training maps into the new scheme can be found here follow this link to our website for more info. First Response Volunteers who work directly with young people will also need to complete First Response training within one year of starting. SES are providing a number of First Response Courses – details can be found here South East Scotland Scouts Training Team Events – 20 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite Modules 10a and 10b Validation Volunteers who have validated First Response Modules 10a and 10b using an external qualification (i.e. not Scout first response training) may be contacted by the SES First Response Training team over the coming weeks to establish which first aid certificate they used for validation (unfortunately in most cases Compass does not hold this information). Depending on the first aid certificate used, volunteers may be asked to complete a small amount of additional learning to cover all areas of the Scouts first response syllabus. It would be helpful if you are contacted by the SES First Response Training Team in this regard that you respond to the actions requested. Compass Freeze Please note that prior to moving from Compass to the new membership/learning system there will be a period of time (7th to 21st November) when training records are frozen. Only fully validated training will be moved from Compass to the new system. Any modules where volunteers have completed learning but not had this learning validated will not be moved across to the new system. No validation of the existing modules linked to Getting Started/Growing Roots can be carried out during the Compass freeze, In addition, it will not be possible to add validations relating to the current modules to the new system. The learner will need to complete the relevant Growing Roots module e.g. if you have completed Module 3 (Tools for the Role – Section Leaders) but not had this validated before the change freeze, you will need to do the new Delivering a Great Programme module in Growing Roots. Where modules have been completed which are not part of Getting Started/Growing Roots e.g. Growing the Section Module 13, Introduction to Residential Experiences Module 16, if the validation is not done before the Change Freeze, there will be an opportunity to add this learning manually to your learning profile post the change freeze and to subsequently validate this learning. It is important that all existing Section Assistants (who will become Team Members in their sections) are fully briefed by their Groups that when the new system goes live they’ll need to complete three items of learning – Delivering a Great Programme; Creating Inclusion and First Response (over the next 2 years). More details can be found here Please contact your Training Advisor, line manager or ADC (Adult Training) for help with validation. Go Live Key Information As part of our Regional Go Live Support, we have created an GoLive Hub in which you can get the latest critical information with everything coming up over the next few weeks during this critical phase of transformation. I would encourage you all to check these pages out as they will be updated with any and all important announcements and information. Below is a summary of some of the key dates and tasks. Visit our GoLive Hub here Add any new volunteers or roles to Compass by 24 October Any permit applications will need to be completed by 24 October Check your email address is correct, and accessible. There are restrictions, for guidance check this video If you are doing a nights away between 7 & 25 November, NANs will need to be submitted by 30 October at the latest. All learning, including Safety & Safeguarding must be completed, validated and recorded on Compass by 6 November You will need to register for the new system once you receive the email from UK Scouts indicating the system is live for you. If you do not receive an email by 25 November you will need to let your GLV know so they can follow up. You will need to access the new system as you will need to: • check/update your personal details • access learning courses • submit paperwork for activities and camps e.g. permit requests, risk assessments, NANs etc Watch this Short video about the new digital system. You can ask your Group Lead Volunteer for help You can email South East Scotland go live team on: transformation@sesscouts.org.uk