Part of our commitment to giving more young people key life skills is to make sure we give young people the confidence and skills to take on leadership roles. We do this through our Young Leaders programme. Young Leaders, like 17-year-old Lucy from Hyndburn, are young people who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. A valuable asset to any leadership team, Young Leaders play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table, and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.

We asked Lucy about her experience in volunteering as a Young Leader;

Why did you start volunteering with The Scouts?
I started volunteering at my old Scout Group so I could give back to the Scout Group that started my Scouting journey as well as getting to spend time having fun with the Scouts and my Dad, who is the Group Scout Leader.

What is the best thing you’ve done as a young leader?
The best thing I’ve done as a Young Leader is to become a safe person for my Scouts to talk to if they want to talk or be the person that distracts them from what’s bothering them and making them laugh when sometimes they just don’t want to smile.

Have you learned anything new, as a volunteer?
Being a young leader has taught me leadership skills and which leadership styles are needed for each situation. I have run numerous activities, helping my Scouts to complete badges and awards. Some needed a more hands-on approach and the ability to ask questions while others just needed a safe space to figure things out for themselves.

How do you think volunteering now will help in your future career?
Being a Young Leader will help me in the future as I am going to be a paramedic – there are so many transferrable skills from dealing with children and remaining calm under pressure to simple life saving first aid and problem-solving skills – Scouts has been great practice!

Almost every Group in East Lancashire has vacancies for Young Leaders aged between fourteen and eighteen. Find your nearest Group here.