Scottish Scouting numbers hit 5 year high

21/04/2008

Scottish Scouting has enjoyed a growth in membership for the second year running, with The Scout Association census figures showing a total membership increase in Scotland of more than 4 per cent over the last 12 months, which equates to approximately 1500 new members having joined the Movement in the last year. Membership now stands at just over 36,000, the highest figure since 2003.

The biggest growth in Scotland has been in the 10 – 18 years age range. This has been attributed to the new activity programme for this age group, which offers youth members the opportunity to expand their skills across a range of areas, including snowboarding and street sports. The growth in youth membership is particularly notable as it has been achieved despite a declining youth population in Scotland.

Across the UK, the figures reveal a total 3.7 per cent increase in youth membership and a 1.7 per cent increase in adult membership, with 15,000 additional members joining across the UK in the last year. These figures are the largest increase the Movement has seen for 22 years, and represent the 13,500 young people and 1,500 adults who have joined The Scout Association across the UK in the last year. Total youth membership in the UK is now calculated to be over 450,000, with 100,000 adult volunteers.

While these figures clearly demonstrate the relevance and popularity of The Scout Association by both young people and adults, the figures also reveal a real need for additional volunteers to meet the increasing demand of young people who want to experience the adventure of Scouting. The data reveals a gap of nearly 6,400 volunteers who are needed to meet the ongoing demand for Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer Scout places across the UK. In the last year alone, waiting lists have grown by nearly 3,000 across the UK, taking the total number of young people unable to benefit from Scouting, due to a lack of volunteers, to 32,000.

Graham Reid, a 20 year old Assistant Scout Leader from Paisley, said:

“I think it’s a shame that there are so many young people who are missing out on all the activities Scouting offers. Volunteering within the Scouting is one of the best things I’ve ever decided to do. It’s given me the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world and to try out loads of different activities.

“My main incentive for dedicating my time is purely to pass on the fun and enjoyment that I had when I was younger. The Scout Association has made it really easy for me to volunteer, the hours are flexible and I can get as involved as I want to, using my skills and learning new ones too.”

Peter Duncan, Chief Scout, said:

“Our adult volunteers are what make Scouting such a success and without them there would be no Scout Groups. We try to make it as easy as possible for adults to volunteer, the hours are flexible and we let people get as involved as they want.

“'Historically, Scouting has helped to develop strong community ties, while providing an outlet for young people who need support outside their family and school environments. New volunteers have discovered that as well as having an adventurous time themselves they can contribute, on their own terms, to the bigger picture of social cohesion that the media and government are crying out for.

“It’s vital that we keep recruiting volunteers to the Movement; it makes us stronger, brings in fresh new ideas, and gives the upcoming generations of young people somewhere else to go and something else to do, a little out of the ordinary.”