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Assistant Scout Leaders (ASL) are vital to the efficient and effective operation of our Troop and allow us to keep offering Scouting to the next generation of young people in our local area. Assistant Scout Leaders is an adult volunteer who assists our amazing leaders in delivering the programme to young people in Scouting.
To ensure our Scouts Troop continues, we need adults who are keen to try new things and to have fun to join our team of Leaders, to help us provide fantastic opportunities to local young people. Our Leaders are people just like you, but working together they make extraordinary things happen by providing a wide range of activities on a weekly basis.
You can play a pivotal role. Without a Scout Troop, our Cubs may have nowhere to move on to when they reach the age and the existing Scouts may not be able to fully embrace the Scouts opportunity. So why not read on to find out more about Nina Diviza who is one of our AMAZING ASLs at the 101st Edinburgh North East, Edinburgh North East.
Name: Nina Diviza
Group and District/Region: 101st Edinburgh North East, Edinburgh North East.
Role: Assistant Scout Leader
Time in Scouting: Appointed officially on 02/03/2023
Any previous experience in Scouting? No previous experience!
Being an Assistant Scout Leader (the role):
I help out in the Scout Troop with 13 wonderful young people accompanied by our Scout Leader and two other Assistants. In my role so far, I’ve helped organise activity badges and a Scout camp. I’ve also managed to attend various training events in Edinburgh, Lochgoilhead, and attended the ScoutFest 2023 at Fordell Firs.
Why did you start volunteering with Scouts?
I guess I’ve always known about the organisation but I considered joining when I met Rob Whitelaw, the District Commissioner for Edinburgh North East, at a volunteering fair in Edinburgh along with the Scouting Support Officer. I was planning to take a break from work and start a new activity. Volunteering seemed like a worthwhile endeavour and an opportunity to give back to a community where I’ve always felt welcome.
I am a big fan of the outdoors and I think more young people should have the opportunity to explore and connect with nature. I felt an instant connection with the Scouting values and the skills it promotes so I decided to join the movement straight away.
What is the best thing you’ve done while volunteering with Scouts so far?
I think the Scout camp would count as the best thing so far. Seeing a bunch of young people having a great time pitching a tent, learning to make a fire, enjoying the bright night sky away from the city lights, and just running around in the open air feels extremely rewarding. Some of these experiences I didn’t have as a child and so it gives me great joy to be able to provide them these in a safe environment.
Have you learned anything new as a volunteer?
With no previous Scouting experience, I’m learning new skills almost every week. Navigation, bushcraft, knots and lashings, archery, and tomahawk throwing are just to name a few. Leadership, patience, communication, sensitivity, and understanding are some things that are improved gradually every Scout evening.
How do you think volunteering helps in your life?
I think there are at least two important aspects in which Scouts enriches my life. First, I think it helps to develop a Scout mindset, that of being alert and aware of your environment, being self-aware and mindful of others, feeling curious, and adventurous, and staying flexible in an ever-changing world. Second, empowering young people to develop this mindset, providing them with the necessary tools and helping them grow, in my opinion, is a great contribution towards a brighter future.
What would you say to anyone who is thinking of volunteering with Scouts?
Don’t miss out!
There are lots of ways you can get more involved with Scouts as a parent, carer or family member. From helping out occasionally on a family rota or playing a vital role behind the scenes, to stepping up as a leader, our volunteering activities are as varied as you.
We’re talking tidy uppers and tea makers, session planners, fundraisers and treasurers, and all-round team players to support our young people.
The good news is you shape what you do and the time you have to give. Scouts happens when a lot of us give a little (and no, you don’t have to be a Scout or outdoors expert to volunteer).
Across the Edinburgh North East District, the current vacancies include:
What to expect:
No two weeks are the same, but the impact you make is always great.
Make a difference, volunteer today
To find out more about helping out, speak to the leader at your local group or use our volunteer enquiry from which can be found using the option below. Share your details and a volunteer from your local team will be in touch soon.
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