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Hello & welcome to the first of many blog updates from the County Youth Lead Team!

The team is led by Jess, the County Youth Lead, and she is supported by Alfie and Sam. The three of us make up the County Youth Lead Team. You can find out more about what we do on our Web Page.

Over the past few months, we have been rather busy! In January, Jess helped in the selection process for the adults who will be going on the County international expeditions to Africa (Ghana and Zanzibar) as unit leaders. On the same day, Jess presented Ros Watson with a Commendation Award for her hard work and self improvement as a leader whilst in America – a huge congratulations to Ros!

In February, Jess was busy again! Firstly she attended the County Trustee Board meeting. As the County Youth Lead, Jess sits on the Trustee Board as an ex-officio member, and helps to make decisions for the County. The following day Jess made a trip to Southend where she attended Southend Gangshow with Charlotte , the 14-24 Programme Support Team Lead for Essex, and Jaimie, the District Youth Lead for Thurrock. The show is held at the Palace Theatre in Southend every two years (and has done since 1966!). If you’re interested in finding out more, you can visit their Gangshow website.

In March, Jess and Sam were at County Backpack – held this year at Belchamps in Hockley. During the event, they supported the County Events Team in their HQ and assisted with first aid – here is a lovely picture of them enjoying some March sunshine!

On March 25th, we had a Youth Lead team meeting where we discussed and agreed goals for the team. We talked about how we can support the Districts in Essex and how we can support county events. Finally we spoke about this blog and how we are going to be using social media.

Towards the end of the month, Jess spoke with the District Lead Volunteer for Southend Estuary and offered the Team’s support to Lloyd, their newly appointed District Youth Lead. She also spoke with the District Lead Volunteer for Saffron Walden, explaining the Youth Lead role and offered to come and speak to the older Explorers and those aged 18-24 about the role to hopefully find a Youth Lead.

On the first weekend of April, Jess attended the Youth Lead support weekend at Gilwell with a few other District Youth Leads from within Essex. Whilst there, they met other Youth Leads from around the country, sharing ideas on how to push the role of a Youth Lead forwards. They took part in lots of sessions, ranging from YouShape award delivery to generational analysis, as well as some fun and adventurous activities!

The following Saturday, Jess and Alfie were at the Team Essex Day, where they did a presentation for the District Lead Volunteers about Youth Leads and their role in the district. Some healthy competition was had in the form of a Kahoot quiz! Some of the lead volunteers kindly gave us some dates of when their district events are happening, so you might see us around! If you do, make sure to come and say hi!

Thanks for reading, and hopefully we will see you around. If not, our next blog will be towards the end of the summer!

Volunteering is often seen as a selfless act, a means of contributing to a community. While the primary focus is indeed on helping others, the act of volunteering offers a wealth of benefits to us as volunteers, creating a ripple effect that enhances our lives in various ways.

For those of us who volunteer as Essex Scouts, we often say when asked: we volunteer because we ‘like to give back’. Many of us have been through the movement and know the impact of what Scouting does for young people. As noble as this statement sounds, there is a lot more that we get from volunteering other than just giving back, lets explore this below.

The Happiness Effect

There’s a unique sense of fulfilment that comes from helping others especially when it comes to Scouting. This “happiness effect” can elevate mood and enhance overall happiness. In fact, the more we give, the happier we feel. Is that why so many of us have more than one role in Scouting? Volunteering can increase self-confidence, provide a natural sense of accomplishment, and can even lead to a so-called ‘helper’s high.’

Personal Growth and Development

Volunteering within Essex Scouts can provide an opportunity for personal growth. It allows us to step out of our comfort zones, tackle new challenges, and acquire new skills. Whether it’s learning how to organise events, developing leadership abilities, or gaining hands-on experience, the skills gained through volunteering with Essex Scouts are both personally enriching and professionally valuable.

Career Advancement

By volunteering, we can gain experience in a field of interest and meet people in Scouting who have similar interests. Networking is an incredible benefit of volunteering, and it can lead to job opportunities, recommendations, and lasting professional relationships. I know from personal experience, on two separate occasions my Scouting connections and skills have provided me with the means to find a job after two redundancies.

A Sense of Community

Volunteering can deepen our connection to others in Scouting and the wider community when we are seen living out our values. Lord Robert Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting himself is often quoted as saying try and leave this world a little better that you found it. Even doing something small can make a significant difference to the lives of people, animals, and organisations in need. That sense of contribution can give you a feeling of pride and identity.

Health and Well-being

Studies have shown that volunteering has a positive impact on mental and physical health. Engaging in volunteer work can reduce stress, combat depression, and provide a sense of purpose. The social aspect of volunteering can also contribute to our well-being, as it fosters connections with others and builds a support network of like-minded individuals.

The Bottom Line

The impact of volunteering is far-reaching, not just for those on the receiving end but also for us as volunteers themselves. It’s a two-way street where the act of giving provides a return in the form of personal satisfaction, growth, and connection. Know that your contributions will not only help others, but will also enrich your own life in countless ways that you may not have even considered.

Looking to the future

With the changes that are coming to simplifying how we volunteer in Essex Scouts, transformation is seeking to make volunteering easier and more fun. With that in mind, now might be a good time to take a look at how and why we all volunteer, exploring the options available to us as individuals and teams. Afterall a happy volunteer is an effective volunteer.

Volunteering opportunities within Essex Scouts advertised via our volunteering pages
Essex Scouts Transformation information is located under the Transformation pages