What do volunteers do?
Whatever they bring to the table – however often they can help – volunteers change young people's lives
Volunteering with young people
Team player? Love supporting young people? Great at planning?
Each week, our volunteers help young people gain skills for life through activities and adventures.
Most of our volunteers work directly with young people aged 4 to 18 through our groups, known as Sections, which are:
Working in teams, they might:
- Welcome young people and families to sessions and events
- Make sure everyone's safe, supported, included and having fun
- Help to plan and lead activities
- Get involved with days out, camps and expeditions
- Share and learn skills – from coding to cake decorating to canoeing
- Celebrate young people's achievements big and small
No previous experience with young people? No problem.
Whether you'd like to help out week-after-week or whenever-you-can, we provide learning opportunities and cups of tea – every step of the way.
Get a taste for what we get up to – watch the sample indoor activity below.
To watch in full screen, double click the video
Want to make a big impact behind the scenes?
Your time and skills can make a difference in so many ways.
Not all volunteers work directly with young people. Locally, regionally and nationally, many help out in other ways.
Working in teams, they might:
- Get the best out of volunteers, using their people and leadership skills
- Spread the word about Scouts to attract new members
- Help with admin, fundraising, finances, operations or governance
- Keep everything running smoothly on the ground – from serving tea and coffee, helping to tidy up after meetings or sessions, driving or keeping meeting places in tip top condition
Not sure how you'd like to help yet, or how much time you have to give? No worries. Your local team can chat you through a whole host of options – including flexible and occasional volunteering.
Hear more from our volunteers about what being involved with Scouts means to them.
Volunteers make Scouts happen at a national level as well as a local one.
See how you can start volunteering today – simply fill out our form and your nearest Scout group will be in touch to see what works for you.