2023 Membership Growth Programme
Supporting our Groups to grow and thrive while extending Scouting provision for the City.
You can learn more about our OBJECTIVES for growing Scouting in Portsmouth on this page. Each objective is supported by a range of actions and initiatives - some of which are shared below.
We also have the new FOUR MISSIONS initiative - touching many of our objectives, each mission needing different skills and enthusiastic volunteers to lend their skills.
Click to find out more
Enhancing what we have
Refreshed and extensively updated district website, including Available Spaces information
Improved volunteer recruitment
Simplified Group names (Portsmouth East, Milton etc) [supports Group Finder accuracy]
Updated Group meeting place & time information [supports Group Finder accuracy]
Automated “want to join” enquiry processing
- Chief & Top Scout Awards recognition
Recognising achievement - relaunching a meaningful, young person-focused, Chief & Top Scout Awards Reception for young people, parents, guardians and leaders to come together an recognise success
District support for Group growth - new meeting place for constrained groups; consolidation of independently successful sections under a single Group at new premises
- Partnering for success
Portsmouth Scouts & NSTC Lion NTC "Time on the Water" Partnership
The National Seamanship Training Centre of the Nautical Training Corps is based in Portsmouth Harbour
Improved "Find a place" processes
- Underserved and “Not served” areas identified
Updated District ‘single central waiting list’ coordination
On request “Best Fit” allocation to Groups/Units
Simplified expression of interest experience for parents/carers
Transition to Group/Unit ‘ready to join’ lists
Automatic identification of 1st Nearest, 2nd Nearest & 3rd Nearest Groups to member
Automated - "hand's free" - HQ and County 'want to join' handling
Extending our presence
- Underserved and “Not served” areas identified
Programme-In-A-Box - 6 week starter or taster kit for new Squirrel or Beaver provisions
Updated new group District support model - including revised start-up financial support approach
Comprehensive 2021 ONS Census demographic analysis of Scouting age people
Growing Scouts - PORTSEA Scouting Initiative
Portsea area underserved by Scouts - area identified for pilot of District led Group-startup initiative
Community engagement & awareness 1st half Summer Term 2023
Taster/pilot sessions 2nd half Summer Term 2023
Growing Scouts - BAFFINS Scouting Initiative
Baffins area underserved by Scouts - area identified for pilot of District led Group-startup initiative
Community engagement & awareness 1st half Summer Term 2023
Taster/pilot sessions 2nd half Summer Term 2023
- Spreading the word about Scouting in Portsmouth
District sponsored Scout Group identity and promotion material (flags, banners etc)
Making Leader's roles easier
Online admin for common tasks NAN Form, Safeguarding Referral etc - part of our digitalFirst initiative
OSM Gold+ subscription for all sections at no additional cost (for Discount Code renewals from March 2023) - part of our digitalFirst initiative:
Gold subscription as previously provided, plus…
Parent Portal events; Parent Portal programme; Parent Portal personal details; Parent Portal badges
Advanced Email System
District sponsored Group websites (eg 5th.portsmouthscouts.org.uk plus: 2nd, 22nd & 48th)
Volunteer OSM 'champion' providing local guidance, support and best practice