Meet George: Our Youth Lead

Who are you and what do you do in Scouts?
I’m George, the Youth Lead for South East Scotland Scouts. My role is to advocate for young people across the Region and make sure their voices are heard in the decisions that shape Scouting. Alongside the Youth Team, I help develop and promote schemes and events that improve the experience of Scouting locally and nationally. We work closely with volunteers and leaders at both Regional and District level to make sure young people are involved in conversations and decisions across the board.

What does youth involvement in Scouts actually mean to you?
For me, youth involvement is what Scouts is all about. It means making sure young people’s experiences sit at the centre of every decision and every conversation. It’s also about encouraging young people to speak their truth, share their ideas and feel confident about helping make things better for the people around them.

Why is it important that young people help shape what happens in South East Scotland Scouts?
Young people are at the heart of what we do. Scouting wouldn’t exist without them, or without the volunteers who support them week in and week out. If young people aren’t sharing their views and helping shape the programme, it becomes much harder for Scouting to grow and change with the times. Just as importantly, young people should have a say in shaping their own experiences.

What’s been the most rewarding part of the role so far?
There are lots of rewarding moments, but one thing that really stands out is the Regional Uniform Bank. It’s an initiative developed by the Youth Team in partnership with the Inclusion Team. Last year alone it provided over 300 uniforms to young people across the Region who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford one. Inclusion is really important to me and to the Regional Leadership Team, so seeing the impact this has had on so many young people has been brilliant.

What’s one thing you wish more young people knew about having their voice heard in Scouts?
It doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes it can be as simple as having a conversation within your section about what you’ve enjoyed, what you’d like to do next term, or what you’d change. There are also more structured opportunities like UK Scouts or Scouts Scotland forums, and new regional opportunities coming up as well.

Why should someone give the Youth Forum in April a go?
The Explorer and Network Youth Shaped Day in April is a really exciting event designed to hear directly from young people. It’s a chance to share your views about your experiences at unit, District, Regional and national level, and that feedback will help shape Scouting in South East Scotland over the next few years. The Regional Youth Team and I will also be visiting Explorer Units beforehand to talk about the event and encourage as many people as possible to come along. It’s a great opportunity to have a real say in what Scouting looks like in the future.