Joining Journey

We’re so glad you’re interested in volunteering with Scouts - your support means the world to us and to the young people we serve.

By joining our team, you’re becoming part of a movement that helps young people gain skills for life through adventure, friendship and community. Whether you’re helping plan activities, supporting behind the scenes or simply lending a hand, you’re making a real difference - and we can’t thank you enough.

There are just a few important steps to complete before you get started. These include things like a background check, some essential learning and a Welcome Conversation. They’re all designed to help you feel confident, prepared and supported. You’ll also have the chance to meet your local team, find a buddy and start getting involved in whatever way suits you best.

We know joining something new can feel a little daunting, but don’t worry - you're not on your own, we’re with you all the way. Scouts is full of friendly faces and helpful people ready to support you.

So once again, thank you for stepping up. I can't wait to welcome you in person - your adventure starts here!

Julian

Lead Volunteer

Vale of Aylesbury Scouts

At Scouts, we’re committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels welcome. As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a team that values kindness, respect and working together to give young people the best possible experiences.

We follow a few simple but important guidelines to help keep everyone safe and supported. You’ll receive key information when you start, including our Yellow Card (safeguarding code of conduct), Purple Card (emergency and safety procedures), and Green Card (our alcohol policy for adults). These tools are there to protect young people - and to help you feel confident in your role.

Above all, volunteering with Scouts is about having fun, making a difference and feeling good. You’ll be helping young people grow while learning and growing yourself. We’re guided by five core values: Integrity, by being honest, trustworthy and doing the right thing; Respect, by valuing ourselves and others; Care, by supporting one another and our environment; Belief, by encouraging exploration of faiths and values; and Co-operation, by working together and making friends along the way.

By living these values, we build a community where everyone can thrive - and we’re so glad you’re part of it.

Declarations

You’ll need to complete a declaration. It involves accepting Scout values, and agreeing to follow Scout policies and complete the learning required. You’ll have to agree to the declaration when you first sign into scouts.org.uk.

References
We’ll ask for contact details of a couple of people who can vouch for you - this helps us confirm you’re a great fit for working with young people.

Internal Check
Behind the scenes, we’ll carry out an automatic internal records check as part of our safer recruitment process.

Welcome Conversation
You’ll have a friendly chat with your Team Leader and a Welcome Conversation Volunteer. It’s a chance to ask questions, talk about your role, and make sure you feel supported.

Growing Roots Learning
We'll ask you to complete your Growing Roots Learning within this timeframe. You’ve already made a great start with your Safety and Safeguarding modules - now it’s time to complete the set.

There are five core modules that every volunteer completes, these give you a strong foundation in how Scouts works, how we keep young people safe, and how we build welcoming, inclusive spaces for all:

Depending on your role, you may also be asked to complete one or more additional modules:

• Delivering a Great Programme – if you’re helping deliver activities for young people as part of a section team

• Leading Scout Volunteers – if you’re joining us to lead a team

• Being a Trustee in Scouts – if you’re supporting us as a charity trustee

These additional modules help ensure you feel confident and equipped in your specific role. And remember - you're never on your own; there’s always support available if you need it.

If you’re joining or re-joining Scouts after a break of 180 days or more, you’ll need to re-do your Growing Roots learning, even if you’ve completed this learning in a previous role.