Uncategorized | South East Scotland Scouts

Successful Boo-naly Halloween Survival Camp

10 Nov 2023

The 2023 Explorer Halloween Survival Camp was a big success – despite the weather! We would like to say a huge well done to the 65 Explorers who survived this year’s event, you should be really proud of yourselves.

We built shelters with only some plastic sheeting and a few ropes; all meals were cooked on open fires and new survival skills were learnt.

Saturday began with the Explorers building their shelters for the evening, then a break to cook jacket potatoes for lunch. Following a game preparation, the Explorers cooked a delicious partridge casserole for tea. This included butchering the birds and cooking everything in a large tin can, over the fire. We even managed to fit in some pumpkin carving and night orienteering before the evening’s campfire.

Despite the rain everyone managed to get fires going in the morning to cook their rainbow trout in newspaper for breakfast. We then built water filters using plastic bottles, charcoal, and other natural materials. The last survival training skills we learnt were feather sticks and batoning kindling, very useful for wet weather fire lighting.

The last challenge for the Explorers was to dismantle their camps and leave no trace they had been there.

We would like to say a big thank you to all the Bonaly volunteers who supported this event, we couldn’t do it without you – cheers guys

If you’re interested in our 2024 Survival Camp, keep an eye out in the next newsletter for the Bonaly Scout Centre 2024 events calendar.

Transformation Takeover October 2023

2 Nov 2023

As an early adopter, South East Scotland Region is on target to be moving over to the new digital system (replacing compass) in early 2024, which will trigger improvements to the way we volunteer, reducing admin time and make Scouts more attractive to new volunteers.

This will be achieved by simplifying and streamlining our processes along with making information more understandable, utilising new digital systems and tools for an improved experience while enhancing volunteer support.

We also seek to make volunteer onboarding and activities more welcoming, flexible, engaging and supported.

Transforming the Volunteer Experience

There are four significant changes in our approach to our volunteering experience which we will see come to life in the early part of 2024. Here is a one-page summary that will provide you with a good overview of the changes coming our way and the underlying reasons behind them.

This one-page document has been produced to accompany our Transformation Series hosted by Martin Elliot, our Lead Volunteer along with Scott Goddard our Transformation Lead.

Now is a great time to start engaging in discussions about these enhancements with your Scouting colleagues within your Districts and Groups, in order that we are all as prepared as we can be for this exciting new chapter in our movement.

In the coming months, we will also look to launch a digital checkpoint in which you can view all the up-and-coming changes locally along with the things we’ll need to do to be ready within South East Scotland.

Digital Membership System

We have a new membership system going live in early 2024 which will reduce admin so that volunteers have more time to focus on delivering skills for life for young people.

This video has an overview of many of the features that will improve your experience as a volunteer no matter what you do for Scouts. It’s about 30 mins long but you can view specific features of the system.

How we Volunteer Together

Have a look at this short video which explains a new team based approach to volunteering which reduces the burden on our current volunteers, encouraging them to stay involved longer and making it more attractive for new people to get involved. If you prefer looking at slides you can download them here.

A Warmer Welcome

Have a look at the short videos here which explain why we are moving from ‘appointments committees’ to ‘welcome conversations’ to offer a more welcoming experience for new volunteers while keeping the existing robust checks in place, They also show how to prepare for and have a welcome conversation. If you would prefer to look at slides you can download them here.

Move from Executive Committees to Trustee Boards

If you’re involved as a trustee this page helps explain the rationale behind moving from Executive Committees to Trustee Boards, what you need to do to prepare, and the actions you need to take.

More Engaging Learning

A move from training to learning aims to make things more accessible, personalised and relevant so you can decide what skills you need to support young people and aid your own self development. This page provides more information about the exciting changes coming.

Support

Our Transformation Lead, Scott Goddard, supported by the Regional and District Teams, has and will continue to support you as we make the changes to our Volunteer Experience – this includes:

District Transformation Events during September and October
An event focusing on Learning with those currently involved in Training in October
Online and face to face support for training module validation

Events for trustees in November/December

During the coming weeks there will be more reminders about how we can all get ready so that we get the full benefit from these changes. In the meantime, if you want to get in touch, please email communications@sesscouts.org.uk

You can also keep up to date in out South East Scotland Scouts Private Members-Only Facebook Group. If you haven’t already joined now is a great time to connect. It’s so helpful, a great resource and a networking tool.

All adult volunteers in South East Scotland Scouts is eligible and encouraged to be part of this communications group. Click to join.

Online Validation Forms

1 Sep 2023

Links to Online Validation Forms

This is intended for those who have no access to a Training Adviser.

No

Module

Fundamentals of Scouting

12A

Delivering A Quality Programme

12B

Programme Planning

Growing the Section

Supporting Young People

Promoting Positive Behaviour

Introduction to Residential Experiences

Running Safe Activities

Practical Skills

International

Feedback

Awards Recognition

31 Aug 2023

A number of top awards have recently been presented to adult volunteers across the Region including the three awards below. Many Congratulations to everyone who has received awards.

Rob Whitelaw – Bar to the Silver Acorn

Rob Whitelaw was recently awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn

Rob has been a leader for over 30 years and for the past six years has been District Commissioner in Edinburgh North East, until his tenure recently came to an end. He has provided inspiring leadership to the whole District, all done with a huge amount of cheerfulness and positivity and involving a large amount of time commitment.. Rob also has wider influence within the Region as a go-to person for advice from other District Commissioners and the Regional Commissioner due to his experience and thoughtfulness. Rob is also the Group Scout Leader at 101st Edinburgh North East group and a District Training Advisor. Rob has been GSL at 101st for 20 years and the group has consistently been seen as one of the most stable groups largely due to Rob’s steady hand.

Alan Willoughby

Alan has given 45 years of sterling service to Scouting in Edinburgh Area, South East Region and Scouts Scotland. In his many roles, his commitment, enthusiasm, knowledge, skills and experience have encouraged and supported the Scouting Community, and all his friends will be delighted to learn that his work has been awarded him the Silver Wolf. This is the highest award made by The Scout Association in the UK “for services of the most exceptional character.” It is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and so richly deserved for a lifetime of adult service.

Mike Grainger – Silver Wolf

Mike has given outstanding service to South East Scotland Scouts. He personifies the active in “Active Support Unit” and is unique given that he is a member of all three of the Region’s ASUs at Bonaly Scout Centre, Longcraig Scout Centre and the Edinburgh Gang Show. He has also been involved with Scouting at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Kid’s Out events organised by Edinburgh Rotary. Whilst he offers a broad range of practical skills in these roles, it is his commitment to our young members to develop their skills for life that sets Mike apart. This has been recognised by the Chief Scout who has awarded Mike the Silver Wolf for service of a most exceptional nature.

My Explorer Belt Experience

31 Aug 2023

Hello, Joanne, here! I am a Scout Network member in both Braid District in South East Scotland Region and in Dundee in East Scotland Region.

I have just returned from The Balkans where I underwent 10 days of an expedition, completing a top award in Scouting – Explorer Belt.

The Explorer Belt is a top award open to explorer scouts over 16 and Scout Network members who wish to push beyond their limits and experience an expedition adventure of a lifetime. It pushes individuals to work amongst a team to complete one major project (we did an A – Z of The Balkans mainly focusing on architecture, food and culture) as well as ten minor projects (ranging from being on a boat ride, learning a traditional dance, cooking cultured food, playing musical instruments and many more) over a ten-day expedition that we shaped ourselves too. We decided as a team to explore three countries of The Balkans; North Macedonia (Skopje, Prilep, Ohrid); Albania (Pogradec, Tirana); Kosovo (Prizren and Pristina). I personally loved Kosovo and Lake Ohrid the most, just felt so much peace within the natural landscapes and experienced so many alternative ways of learning and living in new cultures.

Like most life experiences, we faced challenges and a few more than some of the other teams that were completing the belt also. Our team started with four and by day 8 we were finishing the rest of the belt as a duo. I’m not going to say the trip went smoothly, as it went anything but smooth, but I’m very much glad that I encountered a lot of different scenarios as it’s prepared me for life events and how to deal with them.

I’m extremely grateful that I received funding from South-East Scotland Scouts for my expedition as it allowed me to explore countries and places I’d likely not get the chance to see again, and it also allowed me to have the trip of a lifetime as well as meet other incredible Scout Network members who have become friends for life.

If I could say to any young person either considering or about to embark their Explorer Belt is: one hundred percent complete it. Honestly the memories, stories and laughters you’ll share amongst yourself, and teammates is incredible, and I feel this will definitely be a massive highlight of your scouting life.

It definitely has shined a light into my scouting life, in fact it’s made me realise how fortunate I am to be in a movement that has provided me with so much support and guidance, and how much more I need to do for other young people, giving them the same opportunities, I’ve been given throughout my time since I joined the movement as an Explorer Scout.

Meet the New Regional Leadership Team

29 Aug 2023

As we prepare for a new Scouting year, I hope that you are as excited as I am for the opportunities that the coming year presents for Scouting in South East Scotland.

The upcoming improvements to the volunteer experience is one such opportunity. One of the key changes that this will introduce is to simplify volunteering and move from a roles-based to a teams based structure.

Our structures will still be arranged in Sections, Groups, Districts and Regions.

At Region, the teams are split into 5 areas, with distinct remits:

Leadership Team – lead, inspire and motivate
Trustee Board – provide governance
Programme Team – bringing Section roles together/ with other activity experts
Volunteer Development Team – ensuring our volunteers are well supported
Support Team – keeping things running smoothly such as incident management

Over the Summer, I met with members of the Regional Team and as part of these conversations reviewed with them what involvement they would like to have going forward and which of these teams they would be part of.

We will be revealing more about the teams as we move towards our move to the new structure in November but I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the updated Regional Leadership Team, which will provide overall leadership for the Region.

Regional Lead Volunteer - Martin Elliot

Martin Elliot, Regional Lead Volunteer Having been Regional Commissioner since January 2021, I am pleased to continue as Lead Volunteer as we work towards achieving the ambitious aims of our Regional Strategy.

Volunteering Development Lead - Mike Treanor

In this important role, Mike will lead the Volunteering Development team, helping to make sure all volunteers in South East Scotland have a fantastic volunteering experience.

Programme Lead - Vacant

This role will lead the Programme team, supporting Section programmes, by setting up networking and peer support opportunities, promoting and supporting top awards in all Sections and managing the South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE).

Support Lead - Vacant

This role will lead the Support team, ensuring that volunteers have the tools and resources to help Scouting run smoothly in South East Scotland.

Inclusion Lead - Alison Robertson

Alison I am pleased to welcome Alison to the Regional Leadership team in the new role of Inclusion Lead, highlighting the importance of Inclusion in our Regional Strategy.

In this role Alison will work with me and the Regional Leadership Team to develop and deliver our inclusion strategy. This includes working with our volunteers to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all young people, regardless of their background or ability. Alison will also lead our Regional Inclusion Team.

Safeguarding Lead - Jo Mitchell

Jo has already been providing valuable support to me and our volunteers, bringing her extensive safeguarding experience to respond to incidents and concerns within the Region. As Safeguarding Lead, Jo will continue to be the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns and advice but will also work with the Regional Leadership team to ensure that the Region is well prepared for future changes that may affect safeguarding.

Transformation Lead - Scott Goddard

Scott Goddard

Recognising that the improvements to the volunteer experience are only part of the changes that will be coming to Scouting in the coming years, I am pleased that Scott has agreed to continue in this important role and will work with the Regional Leadership Team to ensure that the Region is well prepared and ready to maximise the opportunities that the upcoming changes present.

Youth Lead - Vacant

As we develop our Regional Youth Shaped strategy we will be appointing a Regional Youth Lead.

Look for more details in the coming months.

Jamie’s Journey

I would like to thank all adult volunteers and young people from across our 88 groups who joined me during our recent Jamie’s Journey event.

It was brilliant to meet so many of you and to learn more about what is going on in local groups.

Martin Elliot
Regional Commissioner
rc@sesscouts.org.uk

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