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World Mental Health Day is on October the 10th. This is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Every year there is a different focus on this area of health and well-being with the focus this year with “Support within the Work Place”. World Mental Health Day brings forward many Tea and Talk events across the UK. Research shows that talking is good for your mental health and we all know that a good catch up around the camp fire or within group with a cuppa can make you feel so much better.

How are you feeling presently? Please know that there is always someone to talk to and that we do care within Essex Scouts. We are proud to have funded to date two Mental Health First Aid Courses and have volunteers available with a listening ear if needed.

Moving forward we would like to develop opportunities and support within the field of Mental Health. There will be a coordinated approach allowing for further learning opportunities and development. We would like to ensure that we have support available local for you within your group or district.

As a Mental health First Aider you would hold a 3-year certificate after completing a course. You will gain the knowledge to spot the sign of someone experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support.

We have a few partnerships scheduled with some amazing organisations in Essex to enhance support and sign post for both young people and our adults.

Please look out for further information as we would like to include all that hold their Mental Health First Aid England learning and would like to offer this knowledge within Essex Scouts. We are aiming to move forward holding positivity to support everyone.

The Mental Health First Aid Support within Essex Scouts will be coordinated under the umbrella of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team.

Please email MHFA.support@essexscouts.org.uk for further information.

Be assured that it is ok to not be ok. There are various options of support available for you.

An introduction to the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Team

My name is Lisa Griffin, I am the Team Leader for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within Essex Scouts. This is the first post written from the team, so I am taking the opportunity to introduce the team and share with you what we have been up to.

Within my role for the County I am privileged to develop practice knowledge and understanding of the multiple areas of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion forward. So what does that mean for you within Scouting and also for Essex Scouts as a County within the Scout Association?

As a team, our members we are available to support and promote the areas of:

We can advise on inclusion challenges within groups or events throughout Scouting in Essex.

To strengthen our delivery, the Essex Scouts Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team holds a partnership with Kent Scouts Inclusion team. This allow for the opportunity to develop ideas, practice and resources. Kent Scouts joined us in attending Essex International Jamboree within the Welfare Team Safety Directorate supporting Welfare and Inclusion. Likewise we are excited to join them next year for KIJ25.
I have been working away behind the scenes to build stronger knowledge which will support and benefit Essex Scouts both within your groups and at a District and County level.

Within the sections of the Inclusion Team there are extended specialist skills and knowledge from professionals in their field including Makaton, BSL, The Outhouse (LGBTQIA+) and Everyone Digital (Every Child Online). Options of extended areas are presently being explored with AFIUK: African Families in the UK and some Refuge organisations with many more planned.

You will note that there are symbols placed within this article. Essex Scouts now hold a Widgit Programme Licence to move forward in supporting the development of symbols to support in group programme and activities with plans to develop their function embedding them in communication throughout.

Within the last few months we have been out and about supporting at County Backpack and also Essex Weekend. We have delivered training for Essex International Jamboree and also have delivered several Module 36 training courses which covers reasonable adjustments in Scouting. Future training will explore specialist modules within the field of Inclusion. We have been asked to attend some District Events and would happily accept more invitations.

We are recruiting more team members specifically within the field of LGBTQIA+, Social Inclusion including Digital Inclusion and also Equity and Diversity (BAME) to allow for planned tasks of work. If you have any questions or are interested in finding our about the team, please click on the button below.

For EIJ 2024 we’re introducing an Inclusion Team within the Welfare team. The team will be there to support and respond as needed. They’ve also been active in the preparation for the event. Work by the multitude of teams shows inclusion is embedded on all levels. The welfare team members hold a vast array of skills, experience and knowledge across the areas of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The team members are from both Scouting and Girlguiding. We will be available throughout the event: look out for our blue/ turquoise tops.

In preparation for EIJ we have decided to share two pieces of information with you. We will also be preparing an inclusion checklist for you, alongside some resources to support your access at the event.

Attending EIJ is an opportunity for you to review the support plans and information. This includes both youth and adult members of your contingent. Is your information up to date? When was the last time it was reviewed? Gathering information on the individual needs of both young people and adults is best completed through a conversation of engagement. Taking the time to discuss needs shows a commitment to understanding and supporting rather than an impersonal ‘tick box’ form. Forms also lead to assumptions and the potential to miss critical information.

There are lots of useful resources for you:

The Parent – Carers conversation framework: this information provides guidance and support for the process:  (scouts.org.uk).

Parent – Carer questionnaire template is also available, providing positive open questions to support conversation (scouts.org.uk).

These resources can only be a guide for your conversation. Every person has their own specific needs. The primary focus should be ensuring the young person’s voice is central.

Some points to consider:

• What are their views and understanding?
• What would they like to support them?
• Is there information from school and professionals to support your understanding and to guide you with strategies to support the individual.
• Does the young person have a ‘One Plan’?

Making plans to support reflects the social model of Scouting in the Reasonable Adjustments resources  we have available.  You can use a Red / Amber / Green Inclusivity tool to help support this within your groups on a weekly basis as well as for external activities. Regularly reviewing your plans is essential in providing the best support to the young people and adults around you.

As the Team Leader you know the individuals and how to respond to their changing needs on a weekly basis. Plan for these on a wider scale and be sure that you pack spare resources in case items become lost. Should you require any support speak to your local District Inclusion Lead. Alternatively, contact the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team through our Contact Form.