Volunteer with Scouts
Share your skills and gain news ones as a volunteer. Give a little time and build Skills for Life
Pause for a moment...
When you think of ‘Scouts’, what comes to mind? What images pop up as representative of Scouts?
We’d like to bet at least one of them was either: Bob-a-Job; Cubs in shorts; camping; or knots and fire lighting. Were we right? That wouldn’t be uncommon, it is a version of Scouting that is embedded in our cultural memory. Like all stereotypes, it has little to do with the reality of 21st Century Scouting and our vision to prepare more young people with skills for life, supported by amazing volunteers delivering an inspiring programme.
Bob-a-job and uniform shorts are long gone. Girls were welcomed in 1991 and children aged 4 to 6 have been welcomed since 2021. A lot that you’d recognise as ‘traditional scouting’ yet remains - all be it modernised and adapted to the interests, expectations, and needs of young people today.
Of course we go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing. But we also get to hang out with our friends – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges.
Every week we give over 1,300 4-25 year olds across Portsmouth the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.
Register to help children discover their ‘thing’: from abseiling to coding to performance art & everything in between.
No previous experience with young people? No problem.
Whether you'd like to help out week-after-week or whenever-you-can, we provide training, learning opportunities and cups of tea – every step of the way.
Volunteering is two way
Volunteering’s not just about giving back – it goes both ways. It improves your wellbeing, gives you skills for the future, and helps you make new friends (and memories).
All our activities are run by volunteers, who might join us because they want to:
Try something new
Make friends
Spend time with their children – or gain experience with young people
Do something good for their community and themselves
Keep their bodies and brains active and happy – whether that's by scaling mountains, sharing skills or serving tea
All end up making a huge difference to young people's lives – gifting them with skills for life, and learning a whole lot about themselves along the way.
A word about costs
There are no direct costs for volunteering with Scouts other than if you decide to take on a Leader role and choose to buy an adult uniform. Many Groups will reimburse expenses for uniform - speak to a Group Leader for more information.
Young people first: safeguarding and safety in Scouting
Wherever we go and whatever we do, we put young people’s safety and wellbeing first. Find out more about safeguarding in Scouts.
Questions? Give us a call on 0345 300 1818.
Safeguarding concerns? Contact our national team directly at safeguarding@scouts.org.uk
Get in touch
Ready to join Scouts in Portsmouth as a volunteer?
Just want to find out a bit more first?
Just want to find out a bit more first?
Use the links below to register your interest as a volunteer, explore Scouting or locate a group near to you. Still got a question? Email our friendly team at info@portsmouthscouts.org.uk