A shared vision for young people and a stronger society

Scouts
Scouts
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

By Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of The Scout Association

This summer, our society and young people have faced unprecedented challenges. That’s why it is more important than ever that organisations like Scouting and National Citizen Service work together to provide young people with the space to engender a shared sense of optimism, tolerance and resilience in the face of adversity, while developing skills for life.

Like many, I have been devastated by the events of the last few months. Terrorist attacks in Manchester and London have thrown into sharp focus the dangers of a society divided by faith, beliefs and attitudes. I was especially disturbed that young people found themselves caught up in these brutal events. I have heard many commentators attributing differing forms of blame, offering various possible solutions.

But many of the most insightful, inspiring and responsible of these views come from young people themselves. They are realistic yet optimistic, taking ownership in a way that recognised that this is their society too. They have no intention of allowing fear and terror to drive barriers between them and those of different backgrounds. This is a generation driven by a powerful sense of idealism, generosity and open mindedness. It’s no surprise then, that recent research suggests that 16–24 year olds are the most likely to volunteer compared to other age groups.

Bringing people together

I am proud to serve a Movement that was created around a single powerful idea — that if we can bring young people together and help them to respect and understand those of different backgrounds and perspectives, then we can create a better future. This idea has been at the heart of Scouting from its inception. Baden-Powell began Scouting in 1907 by bringing children together from both privileged and deprived backgrounds to learn new skills and work as a team towards a common goal. He did this not because one part of society was better than another, but because he realised that cooperation, respect for others and celebrating difference benefits us all. We help provide skills to all, regardless of background, levelling the playing field.

Scouting’s 2014–18 strategy, Scouting for all, was written in this same spirit. That’s why over the past four years, we have opened new groups in 460 of the country’s poorest wards, bringing activities and opportunities to 6,000 more young people (and 457,000 right across the UK). We empower people to look beyond their own communities and learn from others different from themselves.

Innovation and reach

But we’re not alone. The National Citizen Service (NCS) has created a new and innovative way of helping young people to gain confidence in themselves and positively engage with each another as well as their local community. In some ways, its programme is more intensive than Scouting’s, takes place over a shorter period of time and at a critical age for young people. Yet its objectives are very similar to our own. Having reached over 300,000 young people to date, NCS has ambitious plans for the future, and will have over 100,000 15–17 year olds on NCS this year.

So, I’m excited about what a partnership between Scouting and NCS could bring. Early discussions have focussed on getting more Scouts to take part in NCS, possibly through Scouting, as well as giving NCS graduates the opportunity to support Scouting by taking up volunteering opportunities and engaging in our social action campaigns. Marrying the reach and scale of Scouting with the innovative delivery and reach of NCS could be transformational. In partnership we can support even more young people across England, reaching the communities that stand to gain the most from what we can offer individually and together.

Why we’re stronger together

A partnership makes sense because, quite simply, it will help more young people reach their potential and provide better support to our adult volunteers. Such a partnership not only helps NCS to further grow its community-based approach, it will help give more Scouts the opportunity to experience NCS and mix with young people from outside the Movement. It would also help Scouting reach a wider and more diverse demographic and give a whole new group of young people and young adults insight in to the opportunities that exist within Scouting. Pragmatically a partnership makes public funding go further and helps NCS and the Scouts achieve more together.

Young people today are inheriting a society facing multiple challenges and threats. However I’m more confident than ever that they will face up to these with fortitude and resolution. It’s our responsibility to think of new and creative ways to support them.

I believe therefore that this partnership is something we should enter with alacrity, and that we should do so with the same spirit of energy and optimism exemplified by young people themselves. Young or old, our national character is defined by how we face up to adversity. We deny intolerance because our society and way of living is too precious to give up for the sake of the misguided few. Collectively, the power and positivity of our young people present a force far stronger than those who believe they can unsettle us with the threat of violence and the language of fear.

By Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of The Scout Association

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Scouts

The biggest mixed youth organisation in the UK, providing young people with the skills they need to succeed in life.

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