Volunteering Starts Young: How Scouts Inspire Active Global Citizens

At South Ribble Scouts, we believe volunteering isn’t just for adults — it’s a way for young people to discover their place in the world. From earning their first badge to leading their community projects, Scouts are learning what it means to give back, take responsibility, and take action.

Taking action from the Start

Whether a Beaver helps with a local litter pick or an Explorer organises a fundraiser for a local charity, we see Scouts of all ages stepping up to create positive change in their communities. They don’t just talk about issues — they roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.

Building Empathy, Responsibility, and Pride

Through community projects, young people build Teamwork, empathy and resilience. They see the difference their time and ideas can make — and that’s powerful. From food bank collections to environmental clean-ups, they learn early that giving a little can make a big impact. Many of these efforts link directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping young people become informed, responsible global citizens.

“Scouting has shown me that I can actually make a difference—not just in my group or town, but in the world. From my first litter pick to helping with a climate action badge, I’ve realised that even small actions can lead to big change.”

— Mollie Rimmer, Young Leader, 9th Penwortham Scouts

Skills for the Future

The Scouts programme offers much more than traditional outdoor adventures. While we love campfires, hikes and knots, we teach digital skills like coding, online safety, and financial literacy. Young people explore STEM topics, take on creative challenges, and develop the communication, teamwork and leadership skills that will serve them in life and the world of work.

Building Futures, Not Just Campfires

Our young people don’t just build campfires — they build futures. The Scout programme offers a wide range of practical and progressive skills, including:

• Environmental awareness — climate action, conservation, and sustainability projects
• Teamwork, leadership and communication
• Confidence and empathy through peer-led forums and decision-making
• Digital literacy — from coding to online safety
• Money management and financial awareness
• STEM and space exploration
• Critical thinking and problem-solving to tackle global issues creatively

These experiences equip young people to face the future with confidence and compassion — and to become the leaders, innovators and change-makers our world needs.

Standing Up for Our Planet

Young people in Scouts are more focused than ever on protecting the environment. During COP26, UK Scouts delivered a powerful message to world leaders, demanding urgent action on climate change. Read their message — it shows how deeply our members care about the future and how prepared they are to shape it.

Scout-Led, Community-Focused

We’re proud that many of our Groups, Explorers (14-18) and Network (18-25), regularly engage in social action—often led by young people. It’s not just about ticking a box for good citizenship. It’s about growing confident individuals who know they have a voice and a role in shaping their community—and the world.

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A Lifetime of Impact

Volunteering boosts well-being, self-belief, and connection. It’s no wonder that so many of our Scouts go on to lead in schools, careers and communities — with values that stay with them for life.

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