1

Embargoed until Thursday 19 April 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Over 450 new members in Derbyshire help take Scouting’s numbers to highest this century

  • Annual census: Scout numbers in Derbyshire now stand at almost 9,500.
  • UK membership now stands at over 525,000, up 3.2% on 2011.
  • Fastest growing Scout group in the country is in Somercotes.
  • Nationally “Young Leaders’ Scheme” reaches 10,000; with 250 in Derbyshire.

372 young people and 84 adult volunteers joining Derbyshire Scouts in the past twelve months have helped take the number in the UK to its highest this century. The news comes as details of The Scout Association’s annual census are published today.

Scouting in Derbyshire has grown by 5.1% in the past twelve months, helping take total UK membership to 525,327. Total numbers in Derbyshire now stand at 9,473. This impressive surge in membership – the seventh consecutive year of expansion – has helped cement Scouting as the UK’s largest co-educational youth Movement.

Growth has been achieved across all age ranges but especially the youngest Beaver Scout section, which now accounts for over 2,000 6-8 year olds in the county. The teenage Explorer Scout section is also enjoying a significant boom, with growth of almost 8% taking numbers to 720. This includes over 250 that have signed up to the Young Leader scheme, through which Explorer Scouts volunteer as Leaders in the younger sections of the Movement.

Those involved in the scheme are offered full training, helping them to develop and grow as individuals while aiding the personal development of other young people.Furthermore, the skills involved in leadership – such as communication and time planning – can be transferred to other environments like the workplace.

Scouting provides an enormous range of adventures for young people, allowing them to experience the great outdoors and it is believed that this is a key reason for the surge in membership. There are more than 200 activities available from abseiling to zorbing, and Derbyshire Scouts has recently set up specialist teams of volunteer instructors to provide caving, mountain biking and power kiting activities.

Explorer Scout Matt Swainsaid: “I get a lot out of Explorers, catching up with friends, going on camps and expeditions. Meeting the Chief Scout Bear Grylls was exciting. I also love having the chance to pass on my scouting skills to the younger generation when I help as a young leader.”

One major local success story is the 1st Somercotes (St Thomas) Scout group, which has grown by a massive 987% during the past year, making it the fastest growing scout group in the UK. The group – which covers the three villages of Somercotes, Riddings & Ironville in Derbyshire – last year recruited 80 young people and an additional 12 adult volunteers, taking total membership above 100 for the first time and making them one of the largest local providers of youth activities.

Speaking about the group's success, group scout leader Paul Williams, said: "This proves that scouting is still very relevant today and I think we provide something unique in our local community. We put a modern twist on the scouting concept and provide a balanced programme of activities, with a new challenge every week. We have an enthusiastic team of volunteers providing the activities, but we've not done anything out of the ordinary to recruit more young people. It is the exciting activities and everyday adventure that keep the kids coming, and its by them telling siblings and friends in the playground about their adventures that we've attracted more and more young people."

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “It is so great to see Scout numbers rising in Derbyshire and a big reason for this is the number of teenagers joining the adventure. More and more young people are realising that Scouting offers them so much - whether its the opportunity to go on a big international adventure or the chance to learn and hone vital life skills.

“I am also excited to see so many young people have committed their time to give back asYoung Leaders. Leadership in Scouting offers so many personal rewards and practical benefits, and so many employers nowadays recognise these as being both empowering and work/life-enhancing. There truly is something for everyone in the world of scouting.”

However, despite success in recruiting over 80 new volunteers during the past year, Derbyshire Scouts is appealing for more adults to consider donating some of their spare time to ensure that they are able to keep pace with increasing demand from young people.

One recent recruit, Richard Bramley, said: “Both my children are scouts and when their leaders asked for help, I was happy to get involved. I saw the exciting activities they are involved with and accompanied the Cub pack on their summer camp. When I heard the leader wanted to move on, I thought long and hard about volunteering. It was daunting at first, but the support I have had both from the young people, parents and the other Leaders has been phenomenal.”

Find out about Scouting in your local area at or search for ‘Derbyshire Scouts’ on facebook.

[ENDS]

NOTE TO EDITORS – Scouting in Derbyshire

Founded in 1907, The Scout Association is today the UK’s largest mixed youth movement, boasting some half a million members; led by the Chief Scout, adventurer and TV personality Bear Grylls. In Derbyshire, over 7,500 young people aged 6-25 participate in an exciting programme of over 200 adventurous, outdoors and community activities through the Beaver Scout (6-8), Cub Scout (8-10½), Scout (10½-14), Explorer Scout (14-18) and Scout Network (18-25) sections; supported by over 1,900 adults who all volunteer their time in varied and flexible roles, including activity instructors, section leaders, supporters, managers, trainers, fundraisers and administrators.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Dan Weaver, Derbyshire Scouts Volunteer Media Development Manager.

Email or call 07742 833724.

ILLUSTRATIONS

The following images are available for use with this article. Copyright in all images is retained by the individual photographer and/or Derbyshire County Scout Council and/or The Scout Association.

High resolution images can be downloaded by clicking the links shown below; once loaded in your browser simply right click and choose “save image as”. Alternatively, these may be available by email on request.


Scouts having fun on the water paddling coracles
1.0MB /
A Beaver Scout tries his hand at archery during the annual Spring Bank Camp


The recently formed Bike Team have been offering expert instruction to Scouts of all ages
/
Kayaking – just one of the many adventurous activities on offer