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

Share:

Open Call: Could you be one of Southern Europe's Trustees

By Chris Preston • May 20, 2025
BSO Southern Europe wishes to appoint an additional trustee. Our trustee board provides collective leadership and oversight of the charity, and supports our volunteers who deliver our programme to young people around the world. The Trustee Board’s role is to support our volunteer line managers, through the District Lead Volunteer and District Chair, so that they can be as successful as possible in their role of supporting leadership teams to deliver our programme. You 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. We are keen to include younger adults in the team. Applications from within Southern Europe are encouraged 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 57 Scout Groups, 22 Explorer Units and 3 Scout Networks, with an impressive 2,997 young people supported by 936 adult volunteer leaders across 30 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.

Unit Leader: Overseas Jamboree Unit

May 11, 2025
We are sure that a large number of adults will want to take part in this event as a Unit Leader and so a role description and person specification has been produced to highlight what the role entails and the skills and experiences we are looking for. Please study these documents carefully and do send an application in.

World Scout Jamboree: Poland 2027

April 28, 2025
The 26th World Scout Jamboree will take place in Gdansk, Poland in the summer of 2027. The UK Scout Association has a long history of sending large number of Units (36 young people, aged between 14 and 18, and four leaders divided into four patrols) as part of a UK Contingent to attend World Scout Jamborees. The units represent each of the UK’s counties and countries/regions, with unit numbers be allocated based on the numbers of young people in each area.
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