First up is 'Time on the Water.' Through our new partnership with the National Seamanship Training Centre Lion in Tipnor, we want to offer low-cost, easy access to water-based experiences like kayaking, paddling, and stand-up paddleboarding to more young people. Whether you're a permit holder, a kit quartermaster, an event coordinator, or a towel carrier, there's a role for you to play in making this a reality.
Part of "Enhancing what we have".
This mission is all about 'Growing Scouts' in under-represented areas of Portsmouth. We plan to launch two new groups this summer, and we need your help to get them started. Focusing on Portsea, we are working with St.George's Beneficial School to bring the experience of Scouts to their young people.
From running open evenings and pilot sessions to recruiting new leaders from the parent body, your skills and expertise are needed to make a real difference.
Part of "Extending our presence"..
As a part of our plan to launch two new groups this summer, our third mission is again about 'Growing Scouts' in under-represented areas of Portsmouth. in this case it's Baffins. We are working with the welcoming team at the St.Cuthbert's Centre to bring Scouts to young people in the Baffins area.
From running open evenings and pilot sessions to recruiting new leaders from the parent body, your skills and expertise are needed to make a real difference.
Part of "Extending our presence"..
Last but not least is our 'Awards Reception.' We're looking for volunteers to help plan and organize a new look recognition event to celebrate the hard work our young people put into earning Chief Scout Awards and other Top Awards.
From venue selection and catering support to award coordination and invitation secretary, your help is vital in making this new event meaningful and successful.
Part of "Enhancing what we have".FourMissions is part of the Portsmouth Scouts membership growth objectives for 2023
You can learn more here.
Enhancing what we have
Extending our presence
Improved "Find a place" processes
Making Leader's roles easier
In more depth...
Click to find out more about each mission.
WHAT?
Linking to Portsmouth's unique status as an 'island city', encourage Portsmouth Scouts to spend more Time on the Water.
WHERE?
Through our new partnership with NSTC Lion at Tipnor we have secured a safe and secure base for any water based activities Scout Groups want to offer.
Part of the Nautical Training Corps, the National Seamanship Training Center Lion (NTSC Lion) is based at Tipnor with shorefront access to Portsmouth Harbour, safety boats, storage for our kayaks and SUPs etc. There's even space for BBQs / social events, with some indoor space (including a small kitchen) if needed.
WHEN?
Any Group or Unit can book to use NTSC Lion for a Scout arranged activity at any time (subject to availability).
HOW?
We are looking for one Group or Unit to lead the way and run their own session, which will act as a pilot event - sharing the experience, risk assessment and arrangements with Portsmouth Scouts by way of a 'Time On the Water at NTSC LIon Template'
WHO?
Any Unit, Group or Section can volunteer to run a pilot event for their young people.
You will need to ensure sufficient permit holders are available for the activity you are offering - contact adc.adventure@portsmouthscouts.org.uk if you need help finding enough permit holders.
Your activity will become the blueprint others can use to run their own activities in future - so be prepared to navigate some unknown challenges and spend a little more time than maybe would be normal to 'get it right' and offer a fun, safe and approved session.
WHAT?
Growing Scouts in Portsmouth is all about offering young people in areas of the city where there is no Scouts provision, the chance to take part and learn #SkillsForLife. Portsmouth Scouts has undertaken detailed analysis of government census data to identify parts of the city where children don't have access to scouts.
WHERE?
PORTSEA
We are established a connection with St.George's Beneficial C of E Primary School who are keen to support this mission
WHEN?
Over this summer term (through to July 2023) the idea is to offer children and parents the following:
2x open events, for children to try out some Scouting activities & for parents to find out what it's about and how they can help
6x (pilot) section meetings, run as normal Squirrel & Beaver sections with experienced leaders from the city running the meetings. Parents will be required to stay for first few meetings, and this will be the opportunity for our County Development Team to engage with them and start the volunteer recruitment process.
At the end of the 6 week pilot, the team will evaluate whether there is enough parental support, new leaders and other volunteers to fully open a new group in September 2023.
IMPORTANTLY - if insufficient volunteers can be secured from the local community, the Group will not go ahead. This is not a long term commitment for existing Scout leaders who volunteer to help set up the group.
HOW?
We are looking for a number of experienced and enthusiastic adults and some full Leaders to bring the open meetings and pilot section meetings to life.
A six week "programme in a box" with the necessary kit and supplies for open events and pilot meetings will be supplied by Portsmouth Scouts.
We expect County Development team members to join the pilot meetings to recruit adults.
WHO?
Any Leader, existing adult volunteer or other interested person can volunteer to take part in this mission.
The groundwork is in place - meetings will be on WEDNESDAY EVENINGS at St.George's Beneficial Primary School. Hall hire is being organised, the cost of which will be covered by Portsmouth Scouts. Additional funding may be available.
Ideally, one Leader / volunteer would agree to coordinate the pilot meetings through the summer term.
WHAT?
Growing Scouts in Portsmouth is all about offering young people in areas of the city where there is no Scouts provision, the chance to take part and learn #SkillsForLife. Portsmouth Scouts has undertaken detailed analysis of government census data to identify parts of the city where children don't have access to scouts.
WHERE?
BAFFINS
We have established a connection with St.Cuthbert's Centre in Baffins who are keen to support this mission
WHEN?
The idea is to offer children and parents the following over one term (Summer or Autumn 2023):
2x open events, for children to try out some Scouting activities & for parents to find out what it's about and how they can help
6x (pilot) section meetings, run as normal Squirrel & Beaver sections with experienced leaders from the city running the meetings. Parents will be required to stay for first few meetings, and this will be the opportunity for our County Development Team to engage with them and start the volunteer recruitment process.
At the end of the 6 week pilot, the team will evaluate whether there is enough parental support, new leaders and other volunteers to fully open a new group in the folloy term.
IMPORTANTLY - if insufficient volunteers can be secured from the local community, the Group will not go ahead. This is not a long term commitment for existing Scout leaders who volunteer to help set up the group.
HOW?
We are looking for a number of experienced and enthusiastic adults and some full Leaders to bring the open meetings and pilot section meetings to life.
A six week "programme in a box" with the necessary kit and supplies for open events and pilot meetings will be supplied by Portsmouth Scouts.
We expect County Development team members to join the pilot meetings to recruit adults.
WHO?
Any Leader, existing adult volunteer or other interested person can volunteer to take part in this mission.
The groundwork is in place - meetings will be on FRIDAY EVENINGS at St.Cuthbert's Centre. Hall hire is being organised, the cost of which will be covered by Portsmouth Scouts. Additional funding may be available.
Ideally, one Leader / volunteer would agree to coordinate the pilot meetings through the pilot term.
WHAT?
Our young people work exceptionally hard to achieve Chief Scouts Awards and other Top Awards during their time in Scouts. We believe it's important to recognise their hard work in a meaningful and memorable way. This mission is about creating an unforgettable annual reception style event where parents, leaders and award recipients come together and mark the achievements made.
WHERE?
The mission team can decide! The reception may be somewhere historic, plush, nautical or otherwise memorable.
Decisions about the format for the reception, location, catering and programme for the event can all be made by the mission team.
WHEN?
Established as an annual event, the reception should take place whenever the mission team decide - it could be the end of the summer term, or during the quieter spring term before everyone start outdoor activities.
HOW?
We are looking for a small team that can plan then arrange the 2023 Awards Reception, creating a framework for future organisers to reuse.
WHO?
Anyone can volunteer be part of the mission team.
The team that designs the reception need not be the same team to arrange the event, nor the same team that runs the reception... it's open to everyone to decide who can support what and when. You may find you want to see it through from beginning to end.
Your reception will become the blueprint others can use to run the event annually in future - so be prepared to navigate some unknown challenges and spend a little more time than maybe would be normal to 'get it right' and offer a fun, safe and enjoyable day for everyone.