Good Service Awards

April 14, 2026

Congratulations to our Good Service Award Recipients

The Scout Association in the United Kingdom offers a series of Good Service Awards to recognise adult volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service. These awards are progressive, each with specific criteria:​


  1. Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service: Awarded for a minimum of five years of noteworthy service.​
  2. Award for Merit: Granted for outstanding service over at least 12 years (exceptionally after 10 years), reflecting keen, conscientious, imaginative, and dedicated contributions.​
  3. Bar to the Award for Merit: Presented after an additional five years of outstanding service following the initial Award for Merit.​
  4. Silver Acorn: Bestowed for specially distinguished service, typically after 20 years of exceptional commitment.​
  5. Bar to the Silver Acorn: Given after at least five more years of similarly distinguished service beyond receiving the Silver Acorn.​
  6. Silver Wolf: The highest award, it is the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout, awarded for service of the most exceptional nature, usually after a recipient has been awarded the Silver Acorn.​

 

I am delighted to congratulate the following recipients of good service awards from British Scouting Overseas who received their awards between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.


Graham Eden

Lead Volunteer 

British Scouting Overseas

Silver Acorn











Jon Copner - Northern Europe

Steve Sutton - BSO Transformation Lead

Bar to the Award for Merit











Gillian Barratt - Southern Europe

John Hunter - Southern Europe

Award for Merit











Matt Lightfoot - BSO Trustee

Becca Felgate - Northern Europe

Bernie Steadman - Lone Scouts

Alfonso Sanchez - Southrern Europe

Rachel O'Rourke - Southern Europe

Becca Taylor - Rest of the World

Shelly Burrows - Middle East

Irina Kirshnan - Northern Europe

Jos Wittevrongel - Northern Europe

Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service





Neil Brown - Rest of the World

Caroline Drumm - Rest of the World

Nicole Sparkes - Rest of the World

Nicholas Slone - Rest of the World

Emma Barker - Rest of the World

Jennifer Clarke - Rest of the World

Katrin Talwar - Rest of the World

Martin Haines - Southern Europe

Victoria Haines - Southern Europe

Thomas Danson - Southern Europe

Hugo Hart - Southern Europe

Lucia Carrio Argos - Southern Europe

Alan Kendall - Southern Europe

Tim Payne - Southern Europe

Melissa Pearce - Southern Europe

Alba Fernandez Rueda - Southern Europe

Ursula Theobald - Southern Europe

Maria Fernandez Marcos - Southern Europe

David Maynard - Southern Europe

Paul Stropford - Southern Europe

Claire Maynard - Southern Europe

Linda Wickenden - Southern Europe

Neil Thomson - Southern Europe

Paul Mcaree - Southerrn Europe

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By Jane Warne April 14, 2026
British Scouting Overseas wants to appoint two trustees, to serve for an initial term of three years, starting in September 2026. Our trustee board provides collective leadership and oversight of the charity, in support of our volunteers who deliver our programme to young people around the world. Trustees may be of any nationality and live in any part of the world – the only condition is that you are willing and able to carry out the duties of a trustee and to bring a constructive and independent-minded approach to the role. The main requirement is a commitment to Scout values and willingness to do the best you can to help the Board carry out their role. It’s a bonus if you can bring some personal skills or experience in a particular area, such as any of the following: Administration and meeting management Data protection - policy and practice Development planning in a voluntary group Finance and budgeting - oversight Governance Media and public affairs Risk management - policy and practice Safety - policy and practice We are also keen to include young adults (for example, under twenty fives). The role of trustee is a volunteer one, but reasonable authorised expenses may be claimed. Trustees serve for three year terms, up to a maximum of nine years, after which they must stand down. Trustees may only be appointed if they are not disqualified under UK law from being a trustee of a registered charity. Successful candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming that they are not disqualified. There is some mandatory online learning for our trustees. The Board meets four times a year, plus the annual general meeting. There are additional ad hoc meetings from time to time. Meetings are usually held online via Microsoft Teams. Appointment requirements Hold or obtain membership of The Scout Association in accordance with appointment requirements Complete The Scouts Joining Journey and membership declaration. Follow our code of conduct for members of the BSO Board Communicate with purpose and efficiency Always act with integrity and in the best interests of the charity Champion our vision, mission and values Accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee and adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the Nolan principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership Take on training and development that will help you in your role Responsible to Area Chair and British Scouting Overseas Scout Council Main tasks and responsibilities To be a full and active participant in Trustee Board meetings and activities To uphold the responsibilities of a Trustee Board as outlined in The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Area An understanding of their own role, and the role of others on the Trustee Board A commitment to understanding and forming opinions on the key discussion points and responsibilities of the Trustee Board Willingness to complete various tasks which support the work of the Trustee Board and the aims of the Area Skills for a trustee Ability to work as part of a team Strong communication skills Able to think creatively and solve problems Able to handle and resolve conflict effectively Willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others Able to maintain independent and objective judgement Willing to actively design and contribute to the strategic vision of the Area W illingness to take decisions which will further the work of the Area Willingness and eligibility to act as a charity trustee for the Area Time commitment The estimated time commitment is: 4 Board meetings a year 1 AGM Other commitments as required to fulfil the role Meetings are normally online using Microsoft Teams About BSO BSO is a part of the UK Scout Association with headquarters in Gilwell Park, London. BSO members have access to the same resources, support and programme as UK based Scout groups. BSO exists to support British families living overseas in the provision of a UK Scouting programme to expatriate British children and to several British Overseas Territories. We aim to ensure that all our members have the opportunity to feel and experience high quality UK Scouting whilst providing support and advice to adult members no matter where they are in the world. BSO undertakes Scouting activities in a safe and secure environment with flexibility to adapt to both local customs and guidelines set out within The Scout Association's policies and rules. BSO operates 60 Scout Groups, 25 Explorer Units and 3 Scout Networks, with an impressive 3,138 young people supported by 1473 adult volunteer leaders across 29 countries around the world. Whilst most adult volunteer members are delivering programme activities with our young people, many volunteers are also based in the UK offering support, training, mentoring, governance and resources in a variety of different roles from trustee to marketing and event support to skills assessors. BSO is fully inclusive and open to all who share our fundamental values. BSO exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
By Graham Eden March 13, 2026
About the role The Chair of British Scouting Overseas’ (BSO) will provide inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees. The Chair will ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the BSO Lead Volunteer (and their team) to achieve agreed objectives and oversight. The chair will focus on BSO’s governance and regulatory compliance long-term sustainability, enabling young people to gain skills for life.
By Lynne Armitage February 15, 2026
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