Dear Suffolk Scouters,
I hope you have been able to enjoy the recent brief taste of Spring that has been present over the last week or so. With the vaccine roll-out progressing well and the end of lockdown potentially in sight, we can look forward to better times.
The news that we can return to limited face to face scouting from the end of this month is something we have all been looking forward to. Remember, if you already have an approved Amber Risk Assessment in place, and you are not making any substantial changes, you only need to review the risk assessment and inform your DC that you intend to restart.
If you still need to prepare your risk assessments, do remember that there will be other leaders in your district who will be happy to support you. Please remember if you have any outstanding mandatory training to undertake, this must be completed before you restart. Read more about the return to scouting here.
Scouting Success During Lockdown
5th Beccles Scout Group experienced a crisis in leadership during the first lockdown, and as a group was in a perilous situation. The GSL and a small team of leaders and helpers managed to revive the fortunes of the group and go on to deliver a quality virtual programme. They were supported in this transition by the Regional Growth and Development Officer and some key volunteers from both the District and the County teams. Triumph from adversity – well done 5th Beccles.
Shout out about your news
The last year has been very challenging for group finances and many groups have lost some of their usual sources of funding. Rendlesham Scouts have produced an interesting news piece about their fundraising efforts for a local news magazine. Scouting activities are interesting to local news publications, particularly if you have a story to tell and can include a few photos. Hopefully Rendlesham Scout Group will get the publicity they need to raise much needed funds.
An Introduction from the ACC Inclusion
My name is Anne Humphrys and I am the new Assistant County Commissioner (Inclusion). I know that many of you across the country have been doing some fantastic work during the pandemic making your programme accessible and inclusive. If any of you would like to get in touch to discuss inclusion, my contact details are below.
Below is a link to an important survey from Megan, who is running a Scouts of the World project on LGBTQ+. Please can I encourage all of you to complete this, as we will have the opportunity to work with Megan and, hopefully, directly benefit from the resources she is developing to support inclusion and raise awareness of LGBTQ+. Your views are valuable! You can access the survey here.
Anne Humphrys
anne.humphrys@suffolkscouts.org.uk Tel: 07834 083447
The Suffolk Scouts Facebook Groups for the 6-11 and 11-18 year olds have now been frozen and will no longer be available to comment/add articles. A new Suffolk Programme Group has been set up to replace the 2 groups for PROGRAMME related items ONLY – for anything else, please use the existing Suffolk Scouts Support Centre group- see the new group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/suffolkscouts
Vaccination Questions
If you have any questions about the vaccination roll-out, Suffolk Collective have put together a useful Q and A information sheet. Access this here.
Virtual Beaver Camp
Hertfordshire Scouts are running a Virtual Beaver Camp “Beavers in Burrows” on the 27th – 28th March. The cost is only £3.00 a Beaver including an event badge. Read more about this here.
Discount Scouting Clothing
The Craftability shop in Ipswich are selling their remaining scouting clothing at half price. Check out some bargains here.
Best wishes
Mark Pearson
County Commissioner – Suffolk
