Natter with Nathan - October 2023

October 16, 2023

I hope this email finds you well. Unfortunately, we do not have a Far & Wide newsletter editor at the moment which is where I’d normally communicate issues that affect all of BSO. With this in mind, perhaps you might be interested in one of the several vacancies we have on the Area team which are shown further down.

Running safe activities across the Area

The Scouts Activity Permit Scheme (link below) certifies leaders to run young people's adventurous activities within Scouting. Recently, several safety incidents have emerged due to activities lacking permits and District-level authorisation, posing a significant risk to BSO. Every volunteer in Scouting has a duty to ensure compliance with the Permit Scheme rules. If you suspect non-compliance, respectfully challenge the volunteer in charge of the activity or send an in-confidence email expressing your concerns to howard.nelson@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk or nathan.prince@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk. You can also submit an anonymous report through The Scouts Whistleblowing portal (below).

Activity Permit Scheme: https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/activity-permit-scheme/adventurous-activity-permit-scheme/

Whilstleblowing Portal: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0d6fb9495262423e926dd8c0100c83e5

Ongoing training for all

Safety, Safeguarding and First Aid are mandatory ongoing learning for all learners and need to be completed every three years. District Lead Volunteers (District Commissioners) have standing instructions to suspend any BSO volunteer whose mandatory learning has expired. This causes a lot of work for others so please log on to Compass and keep an eye on your mandatory learning expiry dates. Compass: https://compass.scouts.org.uk/

Transforming our volunteer experience

Over the coming year we will be aligning with the rest of UK Scouting by transforming volunteering at Scouts to make it easier, more enjoyable and rewarding. We’ll be rolling out changes in phases to help us:

Give a warmer welcome for everyone
Deliver better learning
Simplify how we volunteer together

All of which needs to be supported by easy-to-use digital tools.

To help lead this transformation we have recently appointed Steve Sutton (steve.sutton@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk) who will lead the delivery of the new Transformation strategy for BSO. You may have noticed that some changes have already started to happen at Area and District levels such as role titles. This will eventually roll out to Groups and Units.

More information: https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/volunteer-experience/

Far & Wide Newsletter Editor

We need volunteers to:

Collect and curate interesting stories from the Area Team and the broader BSO community.
Edit and craft these stories into engaging content.
Collaborate with fellow volunteers to deliver the newsletter to over 800 adult volunteers via email.
Experience Not Required

More info: https://www.britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk/join-our-team-far-wide-newsletter-editor

Announcing Essex International Jamboree 2024

This year’s Area summer camp was to the Haarlem Jamborette in Holland where 190 BSO participants attended. During the camp we had a session with options for next year’s camp. The young people voted overwhelmingly to attend Essex International Jamboree in the UK. We have now opened up expressions of interest for young people and adults. We currently have more than 100 people signed up. Please can I request that Scout and Explorer section leaders share the below web page which gives more information about the camp. Please remember that you do not need send your own leaders with your young people (although they would be welcome).

EIJ information: https://www.britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk/join-us-at-essex-international-jamboree-2024

Camp Leads for Essex International Jamboree 2024

We are also urgently seeking an experienced camp lead and deputy camp lead for the event. Without a lead, the event will simply not happen. Camp Lead information: https://www.britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk/join-our-team-bso-contingent-camp-lead-essex-international-jamboree-2024

Do you know any BSO musicians age 12-25?

We have an amazing opportunity for Scouts, Explorers and Network aged 12-25… The National Scout & Guide Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band are looking for participants to join their Orchestral and Concert Band Course Sunday 28th July – Sunday 4th August 2024. This is for Scouts and Guides aged 12-25 and will be in Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK followed by some concerts in prestigious venues. Closing date for applications is 9am on Sunday 10th December 2023. More info and application: https://nsgso-nsgcb.com/?fbclid=IwAR1jvNbt0T059BniKOn-r6Pgo9VHhZ2eyWAdwoq-K9x1v0ZbCUNt5wYL1VA

Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our volunteers for their exceptional contributions to our young members throughout the Area. Your dedication is truly inspiring, and we encourage you to continue sharing your incredible Scouting activities on social media. Your posts highlight the amazing experiences our members enjoy. Thank you for your commitment and for showcasing the positive impact of Scouting.

Nathan

Area Lead Volunteer

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Vacancy: BSO Youth Team Members

By Theo Lasar • October 22, 2026

Thanks for your interest in becoming the next British Scouting Overseas (BSO) Deputy Youth Lead. This role is focused on empowering young people across our global movement, with a particular focus on driving achievement of Top Awards, empowering youth voices, and translating feedback into structured, practical support across our districts: Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Rest of the World and Lone Scouts. If you are 18–25 yrs old, bring a genuine commitment to Scouting and possess the curiosity to explore how young people want their ideas represented and implemented, this position offers a direct opportunity to support youth leadership internationally. What is the BSO Deputy Youth Lead? The BSO Deputy Youth Lead works closely with and supports the BSO Youth Lead to ensure young members across all overseas districts are meaningfully involved in decision-making and supported through their Top Award and shaping their scouting experience. In this role, you will maintain consistent contact with volunteer teams across districts, lead data informed research into award completion & membership, facilitate youth forums, and collaborate with District Youth Leads to understand local operational contexts. Through problem solving and building strong relationships, you will help identify structural and practical barriers to Top Awards and work with the according teams to address them. You will help to expand programme adaptability & growth while implementing the "place to belong" & “skills for life” strategies. Your work will help ensure that youth perspectives actively inform organisational decisions, support executive governance, and ensure Section achievements are consistently recognised across BSO and wider Scouting platforms.

Far and Wide (October 2026)

By Lynne Armitage • October 19, 2026

Find out what's happening across BSO with our latest Far & Wide Magazine, with information on events and important updates.

Vacancy: Northern Europe Events Team

By Jenny Nixon • September 17, 2026

Do you love camps, adventures and making things happen? Do you enjoy organising activities and events, or have a skill you’d like to share with others? If you answered yes to any of these, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for adults to join the Northern Europe Events Team and help us build a permanent support team for adventurous activities and events across the District. Whether you’re an experienced organiser, have a particular skill to share, or simply enjoy getting stuck in and helping others have great experiences, there could be a role for you. The team will support events such as: 🏕️ District camp 🌍 Jamborees ⛺ Moots 🧭 Other adventurous activities and events You don’t need to currently hold a leader role to get involved. We’re especially keen to hear from adults who would enjoy contributing in a support role, bringing their skills, experience and enthusiasm to help our Young People get the most out of their adventures. Interested in finding out more? Contact Jenny Nixon, Northern Europe Programme Team Leader. jenny.nixon@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk (Know someone who would be perfect for this role? Share this with them!)