Staying safe in the hot weather

July 17, 2023

For members across Southern Europe affected by the current weather warnings around extreme heat.

Met Éireann and all European Metrological offices have issued warnings around extreme heat this week in parts of Southern Europe. Following these warnings, please do take a moment to review your plans.

Keep yourself up to date with weather warnings from the Met Éireann before completing any activities. Consider what impact the hot weather will have on your activities, think about what you’re doing, when you’re doing it and where you’re doing it. Try and stay in the shade, keep cool and make sure everyone is protected from the sun and drinking plenty. Check out the guidance for hot weather and summer activities for more tips. The NHS has also published guidance on coping with hot weather.

Also think about fire safety, with hot and dry weather there is a greater risk of a fire spreading. Before setting up your stove or building your fires, check if it’s necessary – is there an alternative, make sure you check for any local restrictions, keep a good distance from any natural materials which could combust and have a water bucket on hand. The Scouts have created a dedicated “Hot weather and Summer activity advice” page on their website.

All of these considerations will lead to a review of your risk assessments, please communicate any changes in how things are being managed to everyone involved so they can play their part in keeping everyone safe.

Best wishes,
Jordan MCCULLOUGH
District Commissioner – Southern Europe

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Vacancy: Could you be our next Chair?

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.

Far and Wide (Winter 2026)

By Lynne Armitage • February 15, 2026

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

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

By Chris Preston • February 1, 2026

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.