Development Work

Origins of the Development Project

In 2000, Cumbria Scouts was successful in gaining 3years funding from the Lottery Community Fund to start a Development Project and in more recent years has been supported by the Scout Association Development Grants Board, Francis C Scott, Cumbria Community Foundation and others. The project focuses on the areas of Carlisle and Eden and works predominantly with the Scout Districts of Eden and Reivers.
The aim of the project has always been the development, regeneration and expansion of Scouting in NE Cumbria by providing support to existing Scout Groups,increasing awareness and working with local communities (where a need for Scouting has been identified). More young people have successfully had the opportunity to benefit from the excellent activities and programmes Scouting offers.

What changed.....

Each year The Scout Association conducts a National Census, in 2001 the project area had 928 members in 20 different Scout Groups. The last, 2011 census, boasted 1,468 members in 27 different Scout Groups, 7 Explorer Units and 2 Networks. This is a huge increase of around 58% and can only be credited to the fantastic work done by our outstanding volunteers who provide exciting activities and balanced programmes in a safe environment for our young people, week in, week out.

Why do so many people keep on volunteering to help Scout Groups and what could you gain from helping?
Most people volunteer because……..

• they love it!
• they get to meet lots of new people they get to join in the activities, camps and trips
• they want to put something back into the community
• they get the opportunity to learn new skills
• they want to help local young people to become more rounded and responsible citizens
• they want to be part of one of the best known and most trusted organisations in the World

If you would like to find out more about the range of volunteering opportunities available in your local Scout Groups, please visit www.scouts.org.uk

Development Work

The Development Project in 2012 supported around 70 sections within 27 Scout Groups, across the project area. These groups are as far apart as Kirkby Stephen in the Upper Eden Valley and Bewcastle near the Scottish borders, and include many rural as well as urban areas. The main aim was to encourage, recruit, support and retain more adults in each area, as Scouting relies 100% on volunteers.

 

New sections opened:

Throughout 2009-2010 the LDO worked with Stainton Scout Group to achieve sustainability and this Group now has a thriving Beaver colony and Cub pack with 5 leaders, a GSL, complete Executive and many parent helpers. This Group uses flexible volunteering, taking advantage of individuals strengths and skills to deliver weekly activities. They've now enjoyed their first camps, trips to Outward Bound and joined in with District events.

During 2010-11 two new Groups were successfully started. Firstly, Alston Scout Group, which now has a Beaver, Cub and Scout Section and hopes to start an Explorer Unit in the future. This Group is positioned in a very rurally isolated community and the Group are proving to be a great assett, with many of the local community getting on board. Secondly, Botcherby Scout Group, which currently has a Cub Pack and hopes to start a new Beaver colony or Scout Troop in the future. The Group is in a socially deprived area within the city of Carlisle. Accessing this local community was a real challenge but those that have joined Scouting are really enjoying themselves and they too, have now experienced their first camp.

Holiday Activity Programme

To aid the retention of Scouts and Explorer Scouts (10.5 – 14yr; 14 – 18yr old young people) the Development Project ran an Easter and Summer Holiday Activity Programme. The activities were open to all Scouts & Explorers in Eden and Reivers District, plus any young people in either age range who may be interested in finding out more about Scouting via a ‘taster session.’ All activities were heavily subsidised via the Development Project and various other grants. Programmes  included a huge range of activities carried out on single days or during residential experiences, for example;

Gorge Walking, Water Skiing, Raft Building, Mountain Biking, Caving, Climbing, Team Building, Night Hikes, Problem Solving, Hill Walking, Bush Craft / Survival Skills, Ropes Courses, 1st Response First Aid Courses, Kayaking and Canoeing and many more…………

Location of Scout Groups in the project area
Eden Scout District currently has 10 Scout Groups and 3 Explorer Units. The Explorer Units move around the District and the Scout Groups are in the areas below.

1st Shap 
2nd Penrith 
1st Hesket in the Forest (Ivegill)

1st Petteril Vale (Blencow & Penruddock)
1st Stainton
1st Appleby
1st Kirkby Stephen
1st Keswick
1st Eden Valley (Kirkoswald)
1st Alston

Keswick Explorer Unit
Hoosider Explorer Unit
Loki Explorer Unit
Eden Network

Reivers Scout District currently has 17 Scout Groups and 4 Explorer Units. The Scout Groups and Explorer units are based in the areas below.

1st Carlisle, Wigton Road, Carlisle
2nd Carlisle, Houghton , Carlisle
1st Border, Kingmoor, Carlisle
3rd Carlisle, Newton Road, Carlisle
5th Carlisle,  Wigton Road, Carlisle
13th Carlisle, Trinity School, Carlisle
14th Carlisle, Warwick Square, Carlisle
18th Carlisle, Wigton Road, Carlisle
22nd Carlisle, Meade Rd, Carlisle
25th Carlisle, Close St, Carlisle
26th Carlisle, Currock, Carlisle

1st Botcherby, Carlisle

1st Scotby
1st Bewcastle
1st Brampton
1st Dalston
1st Rockcliffe

Ayers Explorer Unit – Trinity School, Carlisle
Lyners Explorer Unit - Bewcastle
Border Explorer Unit – Wigton Rd, Carlisle
Inglewood Explorer Unit - Dalston

The NE Cumbria development project closed in March 2012. Between 2009-12, the number of young people involved in Scouting in Eden & Reivers increased by 12% and the number of adults by 36%.

The County have now successfully launched new Scout development projects in the South and the West of Cumbria.

To find out how to join your nearest Scout Group visit www.scouts.org.uk