An update on County operations from the County Commissioner and Chair of Trustees.

We’re all about thanking our amazing (NHS) volunteers for what they do, whether it’s something they’ve done at a section meeting, something they’ve done at an event or if they’re doing something above and beyond the call of duty.

With over 750,000 NHS volunteers nationwide, it was inevitable that a proportion of them would be within the Scouting family. We’ve found some within South Yorkshire and spoken to them about what they’re doing & why they decided to sign up!

Craig | Group Scout Leader (231st Sheffield) | NHS Volunteer

Why did you sign up for the NHS Volunteers scheme? 

“I’m Craig, I’m the group scout leader at 231st Shiregreen scout group. I volunteered as a NHS responder to help those that were self isolating and the elderly that are unable to get out at this awkward time. As yet I have not been called upon to do anything, this may be due to the amount of people that have volunteered around me etc. When required I will have to go shopping and fetch prescriptions for the people around me.”

Do you think Scouting is going to help you, and if so, how?

“Having spent 6 years at my local scout group I decided that as we are not having any face to face meeting that i would still like to play a part in my local community helping out where and when I can.”

Megan | Youth Representative (County Executive) | NHS Volunteer

Why did you sign up for the NHS Volunteers scheme? 

“I signed up for the NHS Volunteer Responders Scheme as I’m only in work a few days a week & I’d drive myself crazy sitting around when there’s things I can be doing to help people! The thought that people are out there struggling didn’t sit right with me so I signed up for the scheme to do what I can to help those people! ”

Do you think Scouting is going to help you, and if so, how?

“I think Scouting will help me, 100%, its taught me so many skills for life & given me the confidence to interact with people from all walks of life, do things that are out of my comfort zone & ultimately help others!

Key Workers

Why not see what our ‘key worker’ volunteers are doing here!

#3forThree

The team at Scouts HQ have released their campaign around #3forThree, a youth mental health campaign, see more about it here.

This week we launched our #helpfulheroes campaign, a salute to all of our amazing volunteers working as ‘key workers’ in the current situation.

We’ve spoken to Scout leaders from across the County to find out their job roles, scout roles & what they’re doing!

So far we’ve spoken to Steve, an Asda employee stocking shelves, Kieran, an Emergency Care Technician with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Paul, a factory worker creating cables for the new ‘Nightingale’ hospitals, Laura, a security guard keeping her locations safe, and Chris*, a prison officer.

Chris’ message really hit home to us & was fairly lengthy, so we figured it best to post it here:

“I am a Scout Leader and I am a prison officer. We are key workers. We manage a full mini society that is hidden behind walls. The people in our society are the most challenging and damaged people that can’t be managed in “outside” society. We are distancing and isolating our staff & inmates just like everyone else however our inmates often rebel against the rules and laws that we all live by. For some, if this virus takes hold, they may never see the outside again. Inside the prison, we are not only front line staff, we have healthcare staff, admin staff and all of the people behind the scenes that make it run. Front line staff are first responders, first aiders, counsellors, disciplinarians, a shoulder to cry on and at times the victim when the inmates lash out in frustration. As well as stability and order, we provide decency, safety and security, and we hope to have a positive impact on these people before they are released. What we do is hidden from public view and often forgotten, but without us these people would be out in your society.

Scouting has given me patience and resilience. It gives me faith in people and the hope that people can change & be an asset to society & the wider world.”

 

Chris, you’re an inspiration & thank you! Another of our #helpfulheroes!

*We’ve given ‘Chris’ an alias to protect his identity. 

A message from the County Commissioner, Dr. Neil McKay, on our response to the Covid-19 outbreak.