Introducing our new Cohort Coaches for Squirrels
Thousands of 4- and 5-year-olds are experiencing Scouts for the first time, with the opening of over 450 Squirrel Dreys across the UK
Since September 2021, volunteers across the nation have been welcoming our youngest newcomers and their families into the Squirrel section. Our Squirrel Dreys have reached new communities, as well as those who’ve been hit the hardest by the pandemic.
There’s been a gradual roll-out of Squirrels using a cohort model. Each cohort is made up of ten Squirrel Dreys from different locations, from Cornwall to Dundee. Bringing different counties together in a cohort means leaders can share ideas with their peers.
Each cohort is supported by a volunteer Cohort Coach. They set up meetings, show leaders where to find information, and collect feedback. The Cohort Coach brings everyone together through regular Zoom meetings, where leaders can share their experiences of opening and running a Squirrel Drey.
Nick Coates signed up for his volunteering role as Cohort Coach in May 2021. After completing his induction, he was allocated to his first cohort, which opened their Dreys in September. Nick was keen to be a part of this pivotal event in Scout history.
‘It was an exciting time,’ Nick said, ‘It had been 35 years since the Beavers was launched and I wanted to be part of this new section. The cohort approach seemed to be the most appropriate way to move forward.’
Nick’s experience of opening new Beaver sections has really helped with the setup of new Squirrel groups. He’s enjoyed being the ‘go-to’ person between local Squirrel leaders and the national Early Years team, making sure they have everything they need to be successful.
At the beginning there were lots of questions, and having a virtual cohort get-together was valuable. It was a chance to share knowledge and ideas between different groups.
Nick Coates, Cohort Coach
While Nick has plenty of Scouting experience, this isn’t the case for all Cohort Coaches. Some come from an early years or primary education background, and others from a professional career in training and coaching.
Zoey Moger started her journey as a Cohort Coach last summer. She comes from a primary education background but she first became involved with Scouts through her children. She believes the cohort model has let Squirrel leaders from diverse backgrounds share their experiences, which has helped the groups reach new communities. She said:
‘The groups in the cohort are widespread. Setting up a section in a big city like Liverpool will have different challenges from setting up a group in a small village in Hampshire. The leaders can share different experiences and discuss ideas amongst themselves.’
Zoey’s also impressed that her cohort are sharing ideas on how to make the activities fun and inclusive. The leaders often talk about ways to support Squirrels with additional needs.
Over 50 Cohort Coaches have been recruited, but we need more to help us grow. If you’d like to be a part of this journey and support Squirrel Dreys across the nation, apply now to be a Cohort Coach.
Apply now to be a cohort coach
All About Cohort Coaches
Squirrels Cohort Coaches are here to support adult volunteers to plan, open, recruit, and share best practice with their cohort.
They’ll run engaging and safe programmes, creating a high-quality Squirrel Scout provision for 4- and 5-year-olds.
- A newly-opened provision will be supported by their Scout Group and District team. The Cohort Coach will give peer guidance and age-specific expertise.
- You’ll bring together your cohort of volunteers from ten units, spread all across the UK, using digital platforms such as Zoom.
- Through online meetings, you’ll talk about successes and challenges, and sign post available resources and training. You’ll also share best practice for recruiting adults and young people, particularly in under-represented communities.
- You’ll share insights from your cohort with the HQ Early Years team, helping to improve national tools, programme and processes.
- You’ll be supported by the HQ Early Years team, who’ll provide a rolling programme of training, guidance, subject matter expertise, social catch-ups, and a Cohort Coach peer-to-peer programme.
- You’ll be in the role for six months, and at the end of this period, you may like to coach another cohort.
- We’ll need you to plan, chair and coach a cohort meeting for just an hour, every four to six weeks, followed by a call with a member of our HQ Early Years team. You’ll also take part in monthly Cohort Coach feedback meetings, over a six to eight-month period.
Fancy applying?
If you’re interested in becoming a Squirrels Cohort Coach, please email early.years@scouts.org.uk with your name, e-mail address, contact number and current Scouts role (if you have one).
A member of the team will then be in touch to talk through the role in a little more detail and explain the next steps.