Scouts celebrate as more females than ever join ranks

Daniel Hickin, lead volunteer for Ports-mouth, said: ‘I’m delighted that Portsmouth Scouts has grown yet again, meaning that we can deliver an exciting programme to more young people across the city.

‘I get so much out of working with our members. I get to see young people and our adult volunteers achieve things they didn’t think they could achieve, see children grow in confidence as they camp without their parents for the first time and see adults realise just how much impact they can have on someone’s life.’

Over the last year, scouts in Hampshire have taken part in community projects in the village of Iragua in rural Tanzania, started running scout activities for children in hospital and went to the World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

Adam Jollans, Hampshire lead volunteer, said: ‘These projects not only make a huge difference to the local and international community, but allow young people to grow in confidence and to become responsible citizens.’

However, the charity says over 2,000 young people aren’t able to join because they don’t have enough volunteers.

The Scout Association says 93 per cent of adult volunteers say scouting has improved their physical skills and 41 per cent of employers say scouting makes people more employable.

Sophia Elliott, a scout in Hampshire, said: ‘Scouting is such an amazing life experience, the leaders are always there to help and you feel like you are a part of a worldwide family.’

Hannah Kentish, UK Youth Commissioner, said: ‘I’m delighted to see that so many young people joined the Scouts in the last year.

‘It’s great that girls and young women now make up a quarter of the Movement.’

Current opportunities include youth leaders and group managers.

Anyone interested in joining or volunteering can find out more at scouts.org.uk.