Welcoming Chris Worthington as Volunteer Development Team Lead

Supporting our volunteers is one of the most important investments we can make.

Every week, hundreds of volunteers across South Ribble give their time to help young people gain Skills for Life. They are the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re continuing to strengthen the support available to every volunteer, ensuring they feel welcomed, valued and able to thrive from day one.

We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Worthington as Volunteer Development Team Leader for South Ribble Scouts.

Chris brings a wealth of experience from across local, County and UK Scouts. Through his passion for developing people, delivering great Scouting and supporting volunteers, he will lead one of the most important areas of our District.

His appointment is another key step in delivering our vision for Our Next Chapter and our commitment to creating A Place to Belong. As part of our new team-based approach, we’re building a stronger support network around our volunteers—making it easier for people to learn, develop, feel recognised and grow throughout their volunteering journey.

Chris joins our Volunteer Development Team, helping deliver a joined-up approach to welcoming, supporting and developing volunteers across South Ribble Scouts.

Volunteer Development is about much more than learning. It’s about ensuring every volunteer feels welcomed from day one, supported throughout their journey, recognised for the difference they make and empowered to grow in confidence and develop new skills. When our volunteers thrive, our young people thrive too.

Chris will work alongside volunteers across South Ribble to strengthen learning and development, support Wood Badge journeys, encourage continuous development and help create an environment where every volunteer feels confident, connected and equipped to succeed.

Bringing experience from local, County and UK Scouts, Chris has a unique understanding of how volunteers can be supported at every stage of their journey, from joining Scouts for the first time through to developing new skills and taking on leadership opportunities. His experience in programme delivery, adventurous activities and international Scouting will help shape an even stronger volunteer experience across the District.

Jon Nutten, District Lead Volunteer, said: “Over the past few months, I’ve spent time listening to volunteers from across South Ribble. One message has come through consistently, we want volunteers to feel welcomed, supported, connected and able to grow. That’s exactly what we’re committed to delivering.

Chris’ appointment is another important step in that journey. He brings a fantastic mix of experience, enthusiasm and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. I know he’ll play a key role in ensuring our volunteers feel valued from the moment they join, supported throughout their journey and inspired to reach their full potential.

When we invest in our volunteers, we invest in better experiences for every young person. Together, we’re building a stronger South Ribble Scouts where everyone has a place to belong.”

What’s next?

Over the coming months, Chris will work with volunteers across the District to continue developing our volunteer experience, strengthening learning and development, supporting new and existing volunteers, encouraging recognition and creating more opportunities for volunteers to connect, learn and grow together.

Whether you’re joining Scouts for the first time or have volunteered for many years, our commitment remains the same—to make South Ribble Scouts a place where every volunteer feels welcomed, supported, valued and inspired to make a difference.

This appointment is more than filling a role, it’s another step in delivering our commitment to making South Ribble Scouts the best place to volunteer.

If you’d like to learn more about how we’re strengthening support for volunteers and delivering our vision for the future, read Our Next Chapter: Building a Stronger South Ribble Scouts on our website.

Please join us in congratulating Chris on his appointment.

Whether you’re an existing volunteer or thinking about joining Scouts for the first time, we’d love you to be part of our journey as we continue building a stronger South Ribble Scouts where everyone has a place to belong. Together, we’re building something special.