Scouting for volunteers

OLDHAM men and women are among hundreds of adults across Greater Manchester who have offered to help the scouts following an appeal for volunteers.

Hundreds of visitors attended the Big Day Out event at Salford Quays on Saturday, where the movement highlighted some of the 200 activities it offers to boys and girls. The main aim was to recruit more adult volunteers.

Visitors had the opportunity to climb, abseil, raft, ride BMX bikes or take part in creative craft sessions.

Every week, over half a million youngsters and adults take part in scouting.

Numbers have grown nationally for the past eight years and Greater Manchester membership has risen by over 1,600 to nearly 18,000.

However there are another 1,100 youngsters on the Greater Manchester waiting list and 38,000 across the UK. So the movement needs to recruit more adult volunteers.

Oldham scout leaders have backed the call, emphasising that adults can work with youngsters or help with administration.

Ian Temple-Heald, district commissioner for Oldham scouts, recently highlighted groups across the borough which urgently need extra help.

He said: “The Big Day Out was a great day and appears to have been successful, in terms of recruiting prospective Oldham volunteers. We had some good comments from visitors and I hope many of them become volunteers.

“All the activities were designed for families to have a go and learn more about the scouts movement being a modern, dynamic and diverse organisation.

There were lots of experienced adult scout leaders to demonstrate how flexible volunteering can be fitted into busy lifestyles.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Oldham district secretary John Woolley on 0161-626 6805, email distsecy@oldhamscouts.org.uk
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