There are many reasons for people choosing to help KD9 Scouting on Spennells including:
Who can volunteer?
Men and women over the age of 18 (there is no upper age limit) with a commitment to the aims of Scouting can be volunteers. The Scout Association is a diverse organisation and welcomes members from all sections of the community.
What if I’m under 18?
Young people aged 14 to 18 can be helpers and leaders with our younger sections – Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. They become members of a Young Leaders’ Unit, which is part of Explorer Scouting, where there is a Young Leaders’ Scheme to support and train them.
Will I have to complete and application form or have an interview?
Volunteers are initially recruited using and informal interview to discuss which role would suit them best and the opportunities available. A simple appointment form needs to be completed and, as safety is our top priority, we ask all volunteers to allow us to complete checks to ensure there is no reason why they shouldn’t be involved in an organisation working directly with young people.
How much time is involved?
Our many volunteer opportunities vary in the amount of time commitment required, from occasional help to ongoing weekly involvement. We will do our best to find a role suited to your availability.
Do I have to wear a uniform?
We have both uniformed and non-uniformed roles available.
Do you pay expenses?
We pay out-of-pocket expenses and ask you to agree any expenses in advance with your section leader or Group Chairman.
Where can I help?
Many of our volunteers help close to home but others prefer to near their workplace or at another location with which they have a connection. This can be discussed when considering your role.
What training is there?
A lot of your training will be ‘on the job’ and you will receive induction locally. There is also a modular training scheme to help people gain the knowledge they need. There are 4 modules called ‘Getting Started’ that everyone should attend. Other modules are taken according to your role and your previous experience. It is a flexible, volunteer-friendly system and it’s free.
Will I be insured?
Scouting has the appropriate insurance for its members and the activities they organise, provided that volunteers comply with the organisation’s rules. Please ask for more details.
How do I apply?
Fill in the details list on our “Join the Group” tab and express your interest in helping as an Adult.
What if I’m not sure what I’d like to do?
There is a lot of choice so the best thing to do is to talk it over with someone in Scouting in your local area or contact our office.
Role comparison table
| Section leader and assistant section leader | Sectional Assistant | Active Support member | Occasional Helper | |
| Function | Manage the section | Support the leaders | Actively support Scouting (in line with service agreement) | Provide occasional support (and require a criminal records check) |
| Uniform and Promise | Yes | Optional | Optional | No |
| Training required | Yes (Wood Badge) |
Yes (Modules 1 and 3) | Yes (Modules 1 and 3) |
No |
| Scouting magazine | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Scouting Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Public liability insurance cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personal accident insurance cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (unless purchased separately) |
| Membership fee required | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Hi all
Have just seen this update and thought this may be of interest and clarification for you on roles within your team. I will put this on KD9online so you can refer to it if need be.
This other information is important:
18/11/2011
Recently, we have received a number of questions about the difference between Occasional Helpers and other roles in Scouting, particularly Sectional Assistants.
In response to this, we thought it would be helpful to clarify the following points.
An Occasional Helper is anyone in England, Wales or Northern Ireland who is required to complete a Criminal Records check but who is not taking on a formal appointment in Scouting.
If anyone is helping in a Section on a regular basis, they should be encouraged to become a Sectional Assistant or Scout Active Support Member rather than an Occasional Helper.
The key differences that you should be aware of are that Sectional Assistants and Scout Active Support Members receive a number of additional benefits including Scouting magazine, Scouting Plus, a higher level of insurance coverage and training to support them in their role. They also accrue service for their role in Scouting.
View a comparison of the roles
Executive Committee Members are also formal appointments and should not be recorded as Occasional Helpers. It is important that they complete the Adult Application (AA) or Change of Role (CR) Form to ensure that they read and sign the charity trustee declaration.