Celebrating Scouts recipients of The King’s Birthday Honours

We’re extremely delighted for all our volunteers who’ve been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours list. Their hard work and enthusiasm towards their communities, young people, and the movement deserve to be celebrated.

Being chosen to receive honours from The King is a huge achievement and highlights the fantastic work our volunteers do every day. We’d like to take this moment to praise each and every volunteer for their dedication to helping young people gain skills for life.

We’d like to shine a spotlight on just a few of our remarkable volunteers who’ve been recognised this year. Congratulations to Peter Oliver, Norman Brown and John Bennett.

Let’s find out more about their inspirational volunteering experience and their commitment to Scouts.

Peter Oliver

Peter’s receiving an OBE from The King for services to young people through his inspiring voluntary work.

Since the age of six, Peter’s been a part of Scouts. He began volunteering at 18 and he feels passionately about helping young people gain skills for life.

Between 2008 and 2022, Peter was a Deputy County Commissioner and County Commissioner for Merseyside.

During his time as a National Commissioner, Peter supported the organisation of international events like the World Scout Jamboree.

Peter continues to give his time to volunteering. He’s now a Trustee, and the Chair of Scouts Strategy and Delivery Committee, helping the UK-wide efforts to grow the Skills for Life strategy.

Professionally, Peter’s been supporting the digital transformation of healthcare services since 2001.

Peter says, ‘It’s an incredible honour to be presented with this award, especially since I find myself surrounded by people who selflessly give so much to others every day.

‘I’d encourage everyone, at whatever age, to give volunteering a go, as supporting your communities also enables a wider range of people to access life-changing opportunities.’

Congratulations, Peter!

Norman Brown

Norman’s been awarded a BEM for his long-standing voluntary work.

For the past 50 years, he’s made a huge impact on the lives of young people in Greater Manchester volunteering with Scouts.

Scouts has always been in Norman’s family. When he first joined 3rd Hindley, the group was run by his father. When his father stepped down, Norman took over as Group Scout Leader.

Norman’s also been the Wigan District Scout Leader. In this role, he successfully organised and held nearly 50 annual summer camps for young people.

Despite retiring from his professional career in the legal industry, he’s still an active member of his Scout group and helps to run the weekly sessions.

Norman says, ‘I’ve seen first-hand what Scouts did for young people through my own experiences, so I felt it was only right I give back and contribute to the upcoming generation in my community with the same opportunities I was given.

‘I couldn’t have made the differences I have done without the massive support system I had around me.’

Well done, Norman!

John Bennett

John’s receiving his King’s Honours award for his voluntary work and service to young people.

He’ll be awarded an MBE for his voluntary work with Scouts in Cheshire.

In 1974, John became a Scout Leader for 38th South West Cheshire after he responded to their call-out for volunteers.

Professionally he was a police officer, which meant he had limited free time. Yet, during the summer months, he’d always make sure his one weekend off work was spent as a warden at the County Scout campsite in Sandiway.

John successfully planned for a new Scout meeting place in his local area. He began fundraising in 2013, and by late 2018, the building was ready for community use.

After 50 years of volunteering, John’s still very active in his community. He’s currently the Group Scout Leader of 35th South West Cheshire, a District Secretary, County Safety Advisor and a Trustee.

Notably, his group are preparing for the 2024 Crewe Gang Show, which John loves helping out with. A gang show is a theatre performance put together by Scout groups, and John’s the Technical Director for his local show.

John says, ‘I’m honoured and humbled to receive this award. Although it’s in my name, I recognise that without a fantastic team behind me, it wouldn’t have been possible.

‘It’s because of the leaders, and others who have given up time to help over the years, that the group has flourished as well as it has.’

Well deserved, John!

A huge well done to our volunteers who’ll receive their awards, we’re hugely proud of you. We hope you’ll be celebrating your own achievements!