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Lewisham District Scout Council

About:

Scouting provides an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training based on the scout promise and law guided by adult leadership. Activities are varied including sport, skills, hobbies, camping, citizenship and much more. The progressive training scheme takes on board all of the above mentioned activities.Lewisham District Scout Council operates a number of scout clubs across the borough. Activities also include services to the community, for example one group of young people went to Kenya to do voluntary work to help build a safe house for Kenyan street kids (orphans).

How DCT helped:

Following the success of a previous grant from the Deptford Challenge Trust in 2010, Lewisham District Scout Council were awarded a second DCT grant in 2013 to extend the employment of a Development Officer for a year, which helped the Lewisham District fulfil its vision to regenerate, expand and develop Scouting in the Deptford area.

The funding of the Officer enabled the group to set up new provision by finding accommodation and recruiting new volunteer helpers and leaders.

During the funding period they:

Set up a new Cub Pack in Deptford Park School
Set up a new Beaver Colony in New Cross
Set up a Beaver Colony and Cub Pack at the Lewisham Islamic Centre
Agreed a plan with London Borough of Lewisham to set up a Riverside Youth Club
Increased membership at the 2nd Deptford Scout group

Case Study:

When S joined the Beaver Colony in Deptford last year, she was very reluctant to join in with the games, choosing to stay with her mother, who explained that S was finding the session overwhelming due as it was so noisy. One of the leaders offered her a place at another Colony close by that had less members and was therefore quieter.

S went to this other group, this time with her father: again she was reluctant to leave him, hiding behind his legs. A Beaver and a young leader went over to introduce her to the other leaders, who all welcomed her and she began to take part in a quiet activity, although did not take part in the games after her father had left. A young leader worked with her to get her involved, and when her father collected her S said she would like to come again. Over the following weeks, her confidence built. Not only is she taking part in team games and playing alongside other children in big groups, but is even helping other children settle into the Beaver Colony herself.