I have also enjoyed getting to attend a number of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) recently, seeing the great ways that volunteers across South East Scotland have kept on Scouting in the challenging times that we are going through and to get the chance to thank them, either in person or virtually, for all that they do. 

We recently held our Regional AGM which highlighted some of our successes over the year and if you haven’t already, I would encourage you to watch our 2020-21 Highlights video and to read our Regional Annual Report 2020-21.

Youth Shaped Scouting

In my report to the AGM I spoke about some of the areas that I will be working with the Regional Leadership Team and Regional Executive Committee on as we take forward our Regional Strategy. One of the areas that I spoke about was Youth Involvement. We already have good examples across the Region of how young people shape their Scouting experience but there are always ways that we can increase engagement. 

This month saw Scouting release its new YouShape award, which is one way that we are working to make it easier to have a programme that is youth shaped whilst providing another way for young people from all sections to have an opportunity to develop important skills that will help them in their future life. Looking at how we ensure that young people have opportunities to shape their Scouting experience is an important part of the UK Scouts and Scouts Scotland Skills For Life Strategies and is one of my priorities as we continue to look at taking the Region forward. We have already taken steps to do this with involving young people in our recruitment processes and in the selection process for the World Scout Jamboree being just two examples but we recognise that there is still more to be done.

To help us to develop our youth involvement I am looking for a small number of volunteers – young and not so young – to join a short term working group to focus on this subject. If you are interested in this please e-mail me at rc@sesscouts.org.uk.

One way that our young people’s voices can be heard is through Scout Scotland’s elected Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) who represent the views of our youth members at the Scottish Youth Parliament. I am extremely proud that all three candidates for the MSYP elections are South East Scotland Scouts members. I would like to offer huge congratulations to Avery, Niamh and Ewan for this achievement and thank them for being prepared to represent members of Scouting across Scotland in this important role. I wish all three the best of luck for the campaign and would encourage young people and adult volunteers to participate in the upcoming hustings. Find out more about the candidates and sign up for the hustings here.

We have also seen great youth involvement in our top awards with more than 250 young people gaining Gold, Silver and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards during the recent expeditions run by the SEEE team – in the words of one participant said it was “Great to look back and see what you have accomplished”. I would also like to congratulate Edward Maxfield on being the second young person in South East Scotland Region to achieve the Scout of the World Award – a great example of Youth Involvement in action!

25th World Scout Jamboree

One of the examples I gave earlier was the upcoming World Scout Jamboree. In Summer 2023, more than 40,000 Scouts from all over the world will gather in Korea. 

The Unit Leadership Team for Unit 8 (made up of South East Scotland Region and GirlGuiding) has now been appointed and I was pleased to meet with Unit Leader Steven Maclennan and Regional Adviser (International) Simon Innes to begin looking at how we best support the unit contingent. 

We were all in agreement that it was important that we ensure that young people who are going to get the most from attending are able to participate regardless of background or circumstances and Simon and I will be working with the Regional Executive Committee to look at how we can remove any barriers to participation. 

If you know of young people who may be interested in being part of our contingent please encourage them to attend one of the unit’s upcoming roadshow webinars to find out more about the Jamboree and how they can become part of the unit. They can sign up for these here 

Finally 

As we look to the future I look forward to seeing our newest section give more young people the opportunity to get involved. Good luck to the 25th Braid and the 21st Craigalmond groups as they start to establish the first Squirrel dreys in the Region. 

But it isn’t just our young people who can develop Skills for Life through involvement with Scouting. Scouting is also dedicated to supporting our adult volunteers to continue to develop their skills, both to ensure the best possible experience for our young people but also to provide opportunities for our adult volunteers.

That is why we have the Scouts’ Adult Training Scheme, which is made up of mandatory, role specific and ongoing learning and builds on your existing skills and knowledge. This means that the training each volunteer completes is tailored to your specific requirements, with the development of a Personal Learning Plan crucial to identify what learning is required and what existing experience can be used to validate required modules.

This applies to me too as I work towards my Regional Commissioner wood badge and, like many of you, I recently met with my Training Adviser to put together my Personal Learning Plan which included validating some of my training requirements based on prior experience but also identifying learning opportunities which would be beneficial to me in my new role. As a result I now have a plan on how I can work towards completing my wood badge.

I know that there is concern amongst many volunteers about the upcoming transition date of 30 September 2021 by which all adult volunteers who have been in role for 3 years or more are required to have completed their wood badge training so I want to take this opportunity to reiterate the message that Mary Dick, Assistant RC (Adult Training) made in her June update that the Regional priority will be on supporting those who still have to complete their wood badge training rather than sanctions. As part of this we will be continuing to run modules over the summer months so keep an eye on the Regional training calendar and social media for upcoming opportunities.

It is important to note that we there have been a number of important achievements already this year:

• compliance for Safety and Safeguarding mandatory ongoing training now at 97% from 91% at the start of the year – really close to hitting the national target of 98%
• 255 leaders from across the Region completing the new module 10A First Response Online Theory module
• most wood badge modules available virtually with many running at full capacity with waiting lists
• additional workshops provided to focus on:
• risk assessments
• premises safety
• supporting adult training
• training advisers

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the Region’s training provision, in particular Mary, as ARC, and Diane Winnard who did so much work supporting the new First Aid training as well as the Regional Trainers who have put a lot of work into providing engaging training opportunities for all volunteers.

We are not resting on our laurels though and Mary and I are looking at how we can continue to improve the training provision within the Region and expand the non-wood badge training provided e.g. Mental Health training so keep an eye on Regional communications in the coming months for updates. We also always welcome feedback on the Region’s training provision so please feel free to contact either Mary or me.

Finally

Whilst we are gradually seeing Scouting within the Region returning to normal this still doesn’t feel like a normal end of term. However, I hope that all of you are able to take some time over the coming months to rest and recharge batteries. The work that you have done to support Scouting within the Region over the past 12 months has been amazing and is hugely appreciated by me and by the young people who have been able to enjoy opportunities for Scouting in challenging times.

I would like to add my personal thanks to two members of the Regional team who are stepping back from their roles at the end of this term. Simon Cocker, is moving to North Yorkshire so will be stepping down as Deputy Regional Commissioner and Mike Treanor is retiring as the Region’s Scouting Support Officer. Both have been key to the Region’s success in recent years and provided important leadership to Scouting in South East Scotland. For me personally, they have both been a huge support as I have taken on the RC role and I know that their influence will continue to be felt by the Region long after they step down.

I will be taking my own advice so there won’t be an update in July but the Regional Communications team will be working hard to keep you up to date on what is happening across the Region so keep an eye on our communication channels.

Best wishes,

Martin

Martin Elliot
Regional Commissioner
Email: rc@sesscouts.org.uk

Scottish Charity Registration: SC010563

• Regional Annual Report 2019-20 – this 36 page document gives a comprehensive overview of what has been achieved across the Region including:
  • reports from the Regional Commissioner and Regional Chair,
  • a focus on Top Awards presented to our young people,
  • highlights from the 2019 World Scout Jamboree,
  • the 60^th Gang Show
  • our recent Virtual camps

  as well as features on our Scout Centres at Longcraig and Bonaly. The report also includes updates on progress relating to our communications, training, adventurous activities and of course, our financial position.

• Building Skills of Life Summary Report – this 4 page document gives an overview on how we have progressed against our three Strategic Pillars – People, Programme, Perception – and the Performance, Governance and Support which underpin them.

Margery Naylor, Regional Commissioner, on behalf of all the members of the Regional Leadership Team

Email: rc@sesscouts.org.uk

Scottish Charity Registration: SC010563