LOCAL Scouts have joined 500 others from across the country to help shape the future of the movement.
The landmark youth forum at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium was one of the first events of its kind in the UK.
Four young people from Greater Manchester East Scouts, including from Tameside, were supported by three leaders to have their say on the future strategy and direction of the largest youth organisation in the country.
Twelve-year-old Phoebe Barnes, from Tameside, said she felt ‘very privileged’ to have the opportunity to be at the Scouts UK Youth Forum.
“It’s good to do these activities because it shows what’s good right now and how we can improve in the future,” she said. “By being here now, I can tell others in my group what I’ve done and how it’ll affect the future of Scouts.”
From every Scout county or area, two Scouts aged 10 to 14 and two Explorer Scouts aged 14-18, supported by two adult volunteers, have been invited to youth forums in Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester and Oxford to give as many young people as possible the chance to input into the movement’s future plans.
Dwayne Fields, the recently appointed Chief Scout, said: “It’s important that the future plans of the Scouts are informed by young people, so that’s why it’s essential that young people from Greater Manchester East are able to contribute to the future of the Scout movement in the next 10 years by having their say on our future plans.”
The day forum consisted of workshops and plenary sessions, where those attending were able to examine draft plans for the future of the movement and update and modify those plans in light of their experiences.
Dan Barton, Greater Manchester East County Youth Lead, from Tameside, who supported young people at the event, said: “It’s amazing that we are able to offer this incredibly unique opportunity to the young people within our county, giving them the platform to make it known what really matters to them, and enable them to shape the future of the movement.”