3 inspiring stories about Squirrel Dreys making an impact

Encouraging young people to make a positive impact on their local communities benefits their mental well-being, boosts confidence, and helps them develop essential life skills.

Squirrels are more than capable of taking part in community impact activities, and we’ve heard of some incredible stories from across the UK of groups making a difference.

Growing together

At an inner-city group in St Albans, a group of Squirrels wanted to green their urban space. With their hut and a small green area, they started gardening. They made plant pots from recycled materials, grew flowers and veggies, and even attracted bees with seed bombs.

It was all done on a budget. The local garden centre donated seeds and another leader gave them a water tank, helping to keep costs low.

The Squirrels went on to create bouquets of sweet peas and handed them out at the nursing home next door. The residents were overjoyed, many of them can’t get out at all.

“Small, thoughtful gifts go a long way” says Sarah, who is section leader for both Squirrels and Beavers, and full of ideas and optimism for her groups.

For the Squirrels, it was about more than gardening. They learned kindness and generosity, and felt rightfully proud of themselves afterwards.

Since then, their project has grown, now planting trees with other sections and building raised beds for more kids to join in.

Shining bright

A group of Squirrels went out on a sponsored night walk just outside of Newport in South Wales. On their night walk adventure, they took torches and did a lap of their local area, stopping to look at the stars.

Before their journey, the Squirrels were asked to help collect donations by asking friends and family for contributions and telling them what they’d be doing. They managed to raise an impressive £300, which they used to buy items for a local foodbank.

The foodbank was incredibly grateful, and the Squirrels received a thank-you certificate that they now proudly display in their hut.

Squirrels Leader Katie says they’re now continuing to do community impact activities with learning skills for life and the usual fun and silliness of Squirrels.

Good groceries

In Tynemouth, Christina sat her Squirrels down in a circle, and discussed the importance of being nice, kind, and keeping promises – values central to our Scout values.

They talked about families, safety, and the privilege of having food at home, recognising that not everyone is as fortunate. They decided they could help others by shopping for food. Each Squirrel chipped in £1 and they went to their local supermarket.

At the supermarket, they picked out items for breakfast, dinner, and treats. Some people in the store even gave them more money to help.

They donated their items to the local foodbank and since have received badges for their kindness.

The Squirrels were genuinely proud of themselves, and it helped them widen their horizons by imagining what life would be like without the comforts they often take for granted.

“As leaders, we sometimes overcomplicate things. Once we stepped back and thought about it, we realised it was actually quite easy. And the experience was incredibly rewarding.” says Squirrel Leader Christina.