Thank you for considering volunteering with Scouts in Richmond upon Thames District
There are a few things that need to happen before you can start volunteering within Scouting
Of course, you’ve probably spoken to someone about becoming an adult volunteer and what sort of volunteering you would like to undertake for Scouts. If not, then we suggest that’s the first step. If you are already familiar with a Scout Group locally, we suggest that you may talk to a Leader (who run or assist running a section – Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts) or the main lead for all sections within a Scout Group – the Group Scout Leader. Your first point of contact may be the leader of an Explorer Unit – the Explorer Scout Leader. Don’t worry about titles – just say that you want to get involved. They should point you to the right person to help you start your journey. Discussing what role you would like to consider ensures that you choose an appropriate role. If you’re not sure who to talk to, or would like to ask questions without commitment, just e-mail us at: growth@richmondscouts.org.uk
Just want to help with young people occasionally? For example, if you just want to join a rota to give out drinks and biscuits to the Beavers on a termly basis or attend a Parent & Child Camp then there is no training requirement and this role is known as a Group Occasional Helper.
If you want to assist a section on a more regular basis, then you need to be a Sectional Assistant. A Sectional Assistant needs some paperwork in place before you start and some training during your early involvement. You will also need to attend an online induction session where the training requirements and what support that is available is discussed, these are held on a monthly basis on a Tuesday or Thursday evening at 20:00. The training is often at your own pace, without the need to leave your comfy armchair!
If you want to help run section meetings, then you need to be an Assistant Section Leader or Section Leader where some additional training requirements which must be completed within 3 years of you starting the role.
If you want to assist with Group administration – perhaps on a Group Executive Committee – or help in other ways on a regular basis – such as fundraising, equipment or property maintenance, dealing with accounts etc, then there are many other types roles – again, please ask in what other ways you may be able to help.
Most roles will require you to be entered onto the Adult Membership System (known as Compass), so please have identification documentation available when asked for it, so that the details can be be uploaded.
All volunteers within Scouting need to have a current DBS disclosure check. This can only be a Scout-specific Enhanced DBS, you cannot use another DBS that you might have obtained through your employer or other volunteer organisation. The period between having your details entered on Compass and having your disclosure check completed is 30 days.
Section Leaders (& Assistants) need to hold a current First Aid Certificate and Richmond upon Thames District Scouts runs First Aid courses on a regular basis – normally monthly – and are free to attend.
You will also be provided with the password to the Member’s area of this website, which provides a lot of information for those who are volunteering. This includes dates for training – such as first aid training. If you forget the password, just e-mail us at: digital@richmondscouts.org.uk