8th Wyre Forest Scout Group
Group Scout Leader Annual Report
July 2023
The past 12 months have been a period of development, challenge and change for the Group. I took over as GSL in Summer 2022 having received an incredible handover in terms admin, buildings, premises, and finances from Ian Setchell. This allowed me to focus almost all my attention on the ground with the leaders, the programme, events, and the young people within the sections.
My aims at the start of my tenure were;
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Engage with and support the leadership across the sections. Ensure all leaders are happy, and have agency in contributing to their own Scouting journey; ensuring they feel valued and have a positive sense of purpose.
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Ensure the programme for Young People is suitable, challenging, and fun; whilst also being safe, and compliant with standards & expectations.
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Ensure that the Group has a positive focus towards the District; that the leaders have sufficient information to engage with, and have a voice within the District, and that opportunities within the District are maximised for the benefit of the Young People within the Group.
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Draw out any persistent, negative issues within the group and resolve them.
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Demonstrate active leadership and support towards all parts of the Group; Trustee Committee, Leaders, Young People.
Trustee Committee
The Trustee Committee have provided valuable guidance and support during the past 12 months. We have robustly addressed financial issues within the group, and the Trustees have offered welcome check and challenge on an open and regular basis. Although the personal have changed, and some have changed roles – the core of the group exec have remained a coherent and welcome support to me.
Leaders and Young Leaders
Leaders are now (hopefully) engaged and (hopefully) feel happy that they can contribute and develop themselves within the group. Leaders having access to information has been an important aim for me, and giving all leaders exposure to a wider network has driven consistency across the adult volunteers across the sections.
Some significant, long-term leader have chosen to move on from WF8. However, recruitment of new volunteers has been healthy across the sections. We now have more volunteers than 12 months ago. And we no longer have single-person dependencies within sections.
Young Leaders have reduced from a total of 17 in Summer 2022; to a more appropriate and manageable 9 in Summer 2023.
Programme
Standout events that I have been fortunate to be part of over the past 12 months were;
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Scouts Summer Camp to Blackwell Court in August 2022
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Pledge Plod and Camp in Autumn 2022
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Scouts Christmas Post
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Beavers Space Centre Trip
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Cubs trip to RAF Cosford
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WF8 Group Camp with the Squirrel Section
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Coronation Bank Holiday Big Help Out
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St Georges Day Parade with all sections
Looking forward
The Group is in a very positive position moving into the next 12 months. A better coherence and team spirit across the section will allow room for us to develop further to the benefit of all involved. Of particular interest to me for the coming year are;
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Full engagement will District events – not just attending the events but allowing leaders to be part of the planning if they wish.
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Recruitment of leaders for the Scout Section, and the development of identity for the Scout Troop currently split across two days.
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Opportunities for leaders to take on more senior roles; I aim to appoint a Deputy GSL, a Transformation Champion, and a Quartermaster. I want to see if a leader can be a cross-section champion in terms of social media coverage & exploit the Group identity.
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Development of the Trustee Committee – seeking additional support of new Trustees, legacy and resilience capacity within the Trustee Committee, and opportunities for leaders within sections to be ex-officio members of the Trustee Committee.
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Develop links with Explorer Units to provide a smoother transition for Scouts and be a source appropriate future Young Leaders for the Group.
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Engage and built on the positive relationship with parents.
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All members of to have an awesome time and enjoy their Scouting journeys.
Very Best Regards,
Matt Whitehouse
Group Scout Leader
8th Wyre Forest Scout Group