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Catherine Gilliland
Scout Group 64th Edinburgh North East (Stockbridge)
Role – Beaver Team Leader
Prior to Scouting:
I grew up as part of the wider Scouting family as a Rainbow, a Brownie, and a Guide. I enjoyed and benefited from my time as a youth member to such an extent that I often thought fondly of running my own section.
For a number of years, after university, I volunteered with the Rainbows and Brownies. I found an energising joy in the challenging and rewarding pursuit of working with young people.
Why I decided to volunteer with Scouts:
As the world was opening up again, I was looking around for something to do. The pandemic left many feeling isolated from their communities and I was no different. I was interested in working with young people again and wanted to take a step toward returning to work. I turned on my computer and began to look for volunteering opportunities.
It was the case, growing up in London in the nineties, that Girlguiding was, unsurprisingly, for girls and Scouting was for boys. I came across a posting for a Beaver Leader and saw that Scouting was making it abundantly clear that they now welcomed everyone regardless of gender or any other characteristic. As a disabled woman passionate about equality this was really exciting to see.
Volunteering #GoodForTwo:
On replying to the volunteering post in January I learned that there was no local Beaver Colony because of a lack of Leaders. I was excited to get stuck in, but I had some concerns. A few years previously I had taken the difficult decision to leave work because of ill mental health. I also have a lifelong visual impairment. I did not doubt my capability, but I know how important it is to have the right support.
I asked my partner, Sikandar, to join me in volunteering. It’s made the experience all the more wonderful having my partner and friend along for the ride.
“I initially became an Assistant Beaver Leader to help and support my partner, who had volunteered to revive a Beaver Colony that had lain dormant for a while.
I felt this was an admirable and courageous decision. I wanted to do what I could to help her succeed and help the Section thrive. The process of helping her has brought with it a number of happy surprises. I have found that I really enjoy planning and executing activities for young people.
I am highly invested in their progress and development within Scouting.”
Sikandar Singh Soin, Assistant Beaver Leader
Scouting support:
But I need not have been concerned about a lack of support. I have met so many welcoming, supportive, fantastic people in my eight months as a Beaver Leader, including my Assistant Beaver Leaders, Val and Alicia, the parents and carers, the Beaver Scouts themselves, and volunteers in the wider Group, District and Region.
By mid-March we had our first meeting with three Leaders and fifteen Beaver Scouts. In April, we invested seventeen Beaver Scouts and three Beaver Leaders all in one go with the help of our District Commissioner, Rob Whitelaw. This coming term we will see our first Beavers moving on to Cubs. It’s been a challenge, a learning experience, and a pleasure made possible by the wealth of skills, knowledge, kindness and enthusiasm in Scouting.
My favourite thing about Scouts:
I think my favourite thing about being a Leader, and also how I know I’ve done a good job, happens in the final moments of madness when parents and young people pair off and head into the night. It is when I see and hear the Beavers excitedly telling their grown-ups about the game they played, the thing they learned, or the creation they made.
It’s #GoodForYou. Volunteering’s not just about giving back, it improves your wellbeing, gives you skills for the future, and helps you make new friends
South East Scotland Scouts
71 Bonaly Road
Edinburgh
EH13 0PB
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