Transforming our volunteer experience

We’re transforming volunteering at Scouts to make it easier, more enjoyable and rewarding.

We’re rolling out changes to help us:

• Give a warmer welcome for everyone
• Deliver better learning
• Simplify how we volunteer together
• All with the support of easy-to-use digital tools.

You can read an overview of these changes and keep up to date with the latest information at scouts.org.uk/volunteers/volunteer-experience.

These changes are being rolled out in stages, first to ‘Early Adopter Counties’ and then to ‘All Other Counties’. Northumberland sits in the ‘All Other Counties’ stage, so we will be able to learn lessons from the Early Adopters.

Why are we changing?

In 2018, the next vision for Scouting was launched, a 5-year plan which looked to prepare more young people with skills for life, supported by amazing leaders delivering an inspiring programme. Our Skills for Life strategy looked to grow Scouting, making it more inclusive, shaped by young people and having a bigger impact on our communities. 

Whilst a considerable amount of early work was undertaken on the strategy, when COVID-19 hit the focus rightly moved to keeping Scouting going and supporting our young people throughout the pandemic. Over the last 12 months, some of the Programmes of Work have been reactivated and work is now underway to complete our Skills for Life Strategy by 2025. 

We want to make volunteering with Scouts easier and more rewarding so that more young people can gain skills for life. To do this we’re making changes to how we welcome new volunteers, our roles and team structures, our learning and digital tools. The changes are coming because volunteers told us they need more volunteers. 1500 volunteers have been involved in shaping the new solutions, and a huge amount more on the testing hub.  

HQ works volunteers closely with various volunteers across the movement on every step of the way in the updated strategy, to make sure that anything new works for the majority and genuinely make things better, easier and more fun. They are supported by HQ Staff to deliver the changes. 

Implementing change locally 

Stu Bennett is our County Transformation Lead. Stu was previously our County Youth Commissioner along with being a national volunteer for a number of years in different roles. He is responsible for communicating and helping all our members in Northumberland successfully implement the transformation changes working closely with our County Lead Volunteer.

You can contact Stu about any questions relating to the transformation work via email on [email protected].

We have also been working in Northumberland to set up a Go Live Support Team and are delighted to share the team is now in place. This is a team of experienced volunteers who will be on hand to provide support and guidance during the go live period. From technical questions with the new system, to process and how to questions. We’ll be sharing more information soon on how you can raise a support ticket and contact the team.

In a nutshell… 

These changes will make volunteering easier and more fun, so that:  

• We recruit more volunteers and retain current ones 
• Volunteering at Scouts feels rewarding for everyone 
• We consistently and safely deliver a better programme  
• To ultimately make sure that more young people are gaining skills for life

Last Updated: 2 September 2024