Like many, the South Ribble District Scouts struggled during the pandemic.
Despite everyone’s efforts in very challenging circumstances, several young people decided to step back from Scouts and their youth membership figures dipped in 2021.
Fast forward to 2023, and the Scouts now continue to bounce back and recover from the pandemic, as reflected in their current membership figures with over 8 per cent growth of young people taking part in Scouts in South Ribble – their biggest youth membership growth in years.
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The huge rise in youth membership is thanks to the amazing efforts of all of their volunteers to get young people to meet and enjoy safe programmes face-to-face again.
June, the Lead Volunteer for the South Ribble District Scouts, said: “It’s great to see young people returning to Scouting and making new friends, learning new skills, helping their communities rebuild after COVID-19.
“For anyone wanting to meet new people and learn new skills, I’d encourage you to volunteer with the Scouts. Whatever you want to do we have a volunteering role for you.”
Last year also saw the launch of Squirrels, the brand-new Section for four to five-year-olds. In the last twelve months, South Ribble Scouts now have five Squirrel Dreys set up and 100 young people taking part.
Read more: New Squirrel Scouts group for four to five-year-olds launches in Broughton
The growth numbers are a positive step to recover membership numbers from the effect of the pandemic, but South Ribble Scouts say there is still a long way to go to help make sure they are offering all young people who want to join Scouts the fun, adventure and skills they need for later in life.
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Will you or someone you know be joining the South Ribble Scouts this new year? Let us know in the comments.