The next Let’s talk about…,
run by the inclusion team, is on Mental Health.
Martin Elliot will be leading this session where you can hear more about supporting people’s mental health. Please use this form lnked below to sign up:
https://forms.office.com/e/BBf1a0SAM0
📅 Dates: Tuesday 4 November to Saturday 8 November
🕖 Times: Evenings at 7:00 pm, plus a Saturday Matinee at 2:00 pm
📍 Location: Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
📞 Tickets: 0131 529 6000 (For group bookings of 8 or more, call 0131 529 6005)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or go to www.capitaltheatres.com
The Edinburgh Gang Show is a highlight of the year—a chance for our young people to shine on stage, make new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime. But don’t just take our word for it – watch our video to hear directly from some of our cast members about why this show means so much to them.
Each day is packed with
fun & entertainment including;
🎡 Fairground and Highland Games
🔫 Laser Tag
🏹 Archery
🧗 High ropes
⚜️ Scouting skills
🎈 Inflatables
💪 Army Assault Course
…and much more!
This is for ALL our young people, their families and adult volunteers.
Come on either day (or both!) everyone is welcome.
Tickets available from 21st April – save the date now and stay tuned
More details below and here https://sesscouts.org.uk/gala-2025 which includes FAQs
Scouting Support Lead
Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Scout Group
In February we welcomed a group of young Ukrainians to Bonaly to give them a taste of the kinds of adventurous activities we get up to in Scouting.
South East Scotland and Scouts Scotland are working together with the AUGB (Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain) in Edinburgh to establish a Scout group which meets the needs of local young Ukrainian people and their families, the majority of whom arrived in Scotland following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The group of Scout and Explorer aged young people were shown around Bonaly by Co-Warden and Activity Manager Sean Crossan, before settling down to a seriously competitive archery session led by SES Support Officer Nacho Luna Borras and Scouts Scotland Local Growth Officer, Calum Harvie. Also attending were SES Scouting Support Officer Amy Irvine, along with Martin Elliot, Mike Treanor and John Cannon.
After the conclusion of the archery session (a great way to learn how to count in Ukrainian, btw!), we warmed up in the Bonaly bothy and talked about Scouting and to discuss with the young people their hopes for the Group. There was great enthusiasm from the young people – a number had been involved in Scouting in Ukraine – and the team from Scouts Scotland and South East Scotland Region was delighted to answer the many thoughtful questions presented.
Work to establish a Scout Group with the Ukrainian community continues to progress.
Scouting Support Lead
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the Regional Mindfulness Day on 8th March 2025 such an incredible experience!
The day, held at the beautiful Bonaly Scout Centre, was filled with energy, learning, and meaningful connections.
Our special thanks go out to the amazing professionals from PsychEd, Edinburgh University, whose mindfulness workshops and activities were informative, fun and inspiring.
The outdoor activities were a real highlight — fun, hands-on, and deeply engaging. It was powerful to see our young people fully present and embracing the positive impact of being in nature.
We’re also incredibly grateful to our Adult Scout volunteers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. Your dedication helped make the day not only possible but unforgettable.
And, of course, the grand finale around the campfire was nothing short of phenomenal. Songs, dances, laughter, and togetherness created the perfect ending to a meaningful day.
Thank you again to everyone involved—participants, leaders, volunteers, and professionals. This event truly demonstrated the values of our Scout organisation and how outdoor activities can positively impact our lives.
We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Lead for Young Leaders
Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers or Duke of Edinburgh volunteers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in Squirrel Dreys, Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs, or Scout Troops. They’re not just helpers; they’re role models, innovators, and crucial members of the leadership team.
If you’ve got a Young Person in your section from school years S2 to S6, make sure they’re registered with your District! This will ensure they have access to all the training, support, and opportunities they need to thrive as Young Leaders.
All Young Leaders aged 13.5 to 18, whether in Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, or Scouts, should be members of a Young Leaders Unit, even if they don’t attend Explorers. There are three types of Young Leaders:
For Explorer Scout Young Leaders and District Young Leaders, the sky’s the limit! They can work towards Explorer Badges, Staged Badges, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and the prestigious Top Awards – Platinum, Diamond, and King Scout Awards. Leaders are encouraged to talk with their Young Leaders about how the programmes they help deliver can also contribute to these achievements. It’s all about recognising their hard work, passion, and commitment.
The first Young Leader Activity Day was an undeniable success, and it’s clear that these budding leaders are ready to take on any challenge. They’re building skills, making memories, and forming friendships that will last a lifetime. Here’s to many more adventurous days like this – and to the Young Leaders who make Scouting so vibrant and exciting!
During the Youth Forum, held at Bonaly during the Autumn Young Leaders Day, Young Leaders told us that a camp would be a fantastic event to hold next. With this in mind, we are planning a two-night camp for Young Leaders from across the region. This will take place at Bonaly from 14th – 16th March 2025. Arriving Friday evening at 7pm, setting up camp and getting ready for a brilliant weekend, Saturday will see them heading into town to take part in their very own Edinburgh Monumentopoly. Returning to camp for a Campfire and with the winners being announced on Saturday night they will then have a second night camping before heading home on Sunday morning. The event is open to all Young Leaders in South East Region, the event has been sent to the Young Leader teams through OSM, please check with them if you would like to attend.
It would be fantastic to see as many of them joining in as possible with them being able to enjoy spending time with their friends and other Young Leaders from across the Region.
We are also looking for leaders and network members to support this event, either for the weekend or for Saturday if you can’t commit to the whole weekend. If you are available please email Allison.Gamble@sesscouts.org.uk We are also looking for Young Leaders to help at the Regional Gala day in September, details will follow in due course.
Got questions about the Young Leader Programme? Reach out at youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk and get all the information you need!
South East Scotland Scouts
71 Bonaly Road
Edinburgh
EH13 0PB
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