Recognising the People Who Make Scouting Possible
At South Ribble Scouts, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
Every week, hundreds of volunteers give their time, skills and energy to help young people gain Skills for Life. Whether they’re leading activities, supporting behind the scenes, managing finances, maintaining equipment, organising events or helping in countless other ways, their contribution makes a lasting difference to young people and communities across South Ribble.
As part of our commitment to creating a place where everyone feels they belong, one of our priorities is ensuring volunteers feel valued, supported and recognised for the difference they make.
That’s why I’m delighted to announce the formation of a new Awards & Recognition Team for South Ribble Scouts.
The team will be led by Julie Fenton, supported by Helen Carr and Tony Wojnarowski. Together, they bring a wealth of Scouting experience, knowledge and passion, and will play an important role in helping us build a culture where volunteers feel appreciated, celebrated and recognised for their contribution.
The new team will help strengthen how we recognise volunteer achievements, support nominations for local and national awards, celebrate long service and create more opportunities to say thank you to the people who make Scouting possible. They are also already exploring new and flexible ways to recognise volunteers, ensuring recognition is meaningful, inclusive and accessible to everyone who gives their time to Scouting.
Why Recognition Matters
Recognition is about much more than awards.
It’s about taking the time to thank people. It’s about celebrating achievements, recognising dedication and ensuring volunteers know the impact they have on the lives of young people.
When volunteers feel valued and supported, they are more likely to thrive, stay involved and continue creating amazing opportunities for young people. Building that culture is a key part of our vision for South Ribble Scouts and aligns closely with Scouts UK’s ambition to create places where everyone feels they belong.
Jon Nutten, Interim Lead Volunteer for South Ribble Scouts, said: “Our volunteers are the heart of Scouting in South Ribble. Every week, they give their time, skills and energy to create amazing opportunities for young people. I’m delighted that Julie, Helen and Tony have agreed to lead this important work, helping us build a culture where volunteers feel valued, recognised and able to belong. This is just one of several positive steps we’re taking as we continue to strengthen Scouting across South Ribble.”
Looking Ahead
The formation of the Awards & Recognition Team is one of the first steps in our journey to strengthen the support we provide to volunteers across the District.
Over the coming months, we’ll continue to develop our teams, invest in our volunteers and create more opportunities for young people to learn, grow and thrive. This forms part of our wider commitment to ensuring South Ribble Scouts remains a welcoming, inclusive and inspiring place for everyone.
This is just the beginning, and there is much more exciting news to come.
To every volunteer across South Ribble Scouts – thank you. Your commitment, kindness and dedication make a difference every single day.
Together, we’re creating places where people belong.
