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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

A Million Hands

Removing social barriers, connecting communities and improving lives

As Scouts, we’re always striving to leave the world a little better than we found it.

Over the last one hundred years, the issues we’ve tackled have evolved and changed, but our young people’s drive to make a positive impact remains constant.

Participating in our A Million Hands programme is one way Scouts can take action and achieve their Community Impact Staged Activity Badge. It provides ready-made activities and programme ideas centred on six national themes, chosen by our young people themselves.


The 5 steps of an A Million Hands project

 

 

Themes

Our young people told us they were passionate about taking action on the following themes and selected six expert charity partners to support them. 

Protecting our environment


Our natural world is under threat like never before.

With a little help from our friends at WWF, we’re fighting to protect it while there’s still time – restoring thriving habitats, bringing species back from the brink, and tackling the root causes behind nature’s decline, such as climate change.                                                                                          

View activities for protecting our environment >
Ending homelessness


Homelessness isn’t inevitable. With the right solutions in place we can build a fairer society, where no one is without safe home to call their own.

Partnering with Crisis and Simon Community NI, we’re enhancing young people’s understanding of the many factors that contribute to homelessness, and showing them how they can help end the problem for good.

View activities about ending homelessness >
Supporting refugees and displaced children


Wherever they’re from and wherever they live, all children deserve to grow up in safe and secure surroundings.

We’re partnering with Save the Children to combat stereotypes and raise awareness of the issues displaced children face  – building welcoming communities and connecting with fellow Scouts in conflict-affected areas.

View activities for supporting refugees >
Better mental health for all


One in ten young people in the UK has a mental health problem that could stop them experiencing life to the fullest, but research shows they don’t always understand what mental health is or how to look after it.

Working alongside Mind, SAMH and Inspire, we’re empowering Scouts to take good care of their mental health, now and in the future.

View activities for better mental health >
Understanding disability


Public understanding of disability has come a long way, but there’s still so much we can do to increase opportunities, reduce social isolation and create spaces where everyone can thrive.

With support from the National Autistic Society, our young people will become advocates for inclusion, and build a more considerate world.                

View activities for understanding disability >
Kindness in every community


As Scouts, we believe every act of kindness has the power to transform society and make it easier for everyone to get the help they need.

Supported by the British Red Cross, we’ll show kindness to those who most need it at home and overseas, and encourage others to do the same.                                                                                                          

View community kindness activities >
Choose your theme!


Not sure what theme to choose? Don't worry! Run this quick 'choose your theme' activity with your young people and you'll be on your way in no time.

Partners

Meet some of the organisations helping us make an impact.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With thanks to supporting charities in the nations