Scouting prides itself on having a flexible volunteering policy meaning you can give as little or as much time as you like to fit in around your other commitments. For some this means they help out at their child’s Beaver Colony for a few weeks and for others, it means taking on one of our leadership and management roles. Whichever role you do in Scouting, you are playing a part in changing the lives of young people for the better – thank you.
Pippa Holland has volunteered at her local Scout Group in Rossendale since January 2012 and the rest, as they say, is history!
Why did you start volunteering with The Scouts?
I started volunteering when my son was at Beavers. I had set myself a goal of doing something for the community I live in and I approached the leadership team to ask if I could help out on an occasional basis – 10 years later, here I am.
What is the best thing you’ve done while volunteering with the Scouts?
I have stretched myself to continue following my plan to stay involved with a community project whilst running my own business through some very stressful times. Sometimes it’s difficult to find “me” time which, in a weird way, Scouting gives me. One of my favourite activities that I’ve done as a volunteer is our summer camp we do with my Beaver Scout Colony. Yes, it’s hard work but to see children (and us adults too) gain in sooooo many ways from the experience is really uplifting. I’m always emotional afterwards as it is such a great weekend.
Have you learned anything new, as a volunteer?
The key to learning something new is ‘opportunity’ and volunteering gives that in bucket loads! To work with an eclectic mix of individuals I would not normally mix with as part of my daily life to deliver a full programme for the Beavers is a great opportunity. I have learnt to work with young adults, to get a little bit under their skin and work in partnership to deliver a session rather than take over and do it all myself. For this, I’ve had to learn to really apply patience (outside that of dealing with my teenage son!) and understanding of adults and children alike. I have learnt I can handle most things thrown at me be that on camp, in a weekly meeting or planning sessions and that I can say “no, I can’t do that” without feeling like I’ve failed.
How do you think volunteering helps in your professional life?
For 20 years I have worked at senior management level in a narrow field. Being a volunteer has given me a wider understanding of all types of people in society. For example, in my working life, I don’t come across disabled, religious, disadvantaged or anyone from the LGBT community so as The Scouts is a very open community I have had the chance to work alongside all of these types of people. It has then helped me be broader in the work I do in my professional life as my work world is also evolving and I’ve been able to offer different advice thanks to Scouting.
What would you say to people who are thinking of volunteering?
Try it, why not! Give it 3 months as it can be a bit clicky to start with when you don’t know anyone. It is one of my favourite hours of my week. The feeling of pride, enjoyment, something different to my normal day it gives me is amazing.
To find your local Group and start volunteering as little or as much time as you like, visit www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer
