Appeal launched after drop in Scout numbers across Norfolk and Suffolk
The Scout Association's launched an appeal for volunteers to help 'Generation Covid'.
The Scout Association has launched an appeal for volunteers to help 'Generation Covid' after recording a 30% drop in Scout numbers in Norfolk during the pandemic.
In Suffolk membership is down 28%.
The number of volunteers has also taken a hit with Norfolk and Suffolk seeing 300 leave the organisation in each county in the last year.
Youth membership in Norfolk has fallen from 6,822 last year, to 4,810. The number of adult volunteers has gone from 2,374 to 2,074.
In Suffolk, over 1700 members have left the Association in total.
The Association says it's down to disrupted family lives and the pressure of home schooling, adding that this is especially the case in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
It said many groups in Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn and Norwich found that young people didn't have access to the electronic devices needed to keep connected with the Scouts during lockdown, while in other parts of the county poor broadband left young people unable to join.
Groups across Norfolk say they're now looking to build back better and empower the Covid generation when they need it most.
The Scout Association has launched its #GoodForYou campaign today to try and recruit over 150 volunteers in the county, to help young people reconnect.
Matthew Burrell, County Commissioner for Norfolk Scouts said: "Young people have lost out on so much in the past year and our membership numbers show how many were unable to continue with Scouts due to lockdown.
"However we're seeing lots of interest in young people wanting to become Scouts, and thankfully some who we lost touch with returning.
"We owe it to the next generation to help restore some normality to their lives and support them to become better citizens for tomorrow.
"I love knowing that I'm contributing to a bright future for our communities and find volunteering so rewarding, I challenge Norfolk's adults to do the right thing and join me!"
Colin Winter is the Deputy County Commissioner for Scouts in Suffolk: "Now, as the vaccine programme continues to roll out in an incredibly successful way, this is our moment to build back better for the future. That's why I'm calling for new volunteers to join us in Suffolk.
"Our future volunteers might be parents of young people already in the movement, people who remember their own days as a Scouts or those who want to better support the young in their community.
"I love a quote I heard from an inspiring young person called Jack: "It has been good to stay in contact with the rest of my Explorer group while the rest of the country has seemed so isolated.""
Since the first lockdown, Scout volunteers have provided thousands of hours of Zoom sessions, supported young people with at-home challenges like the Norfolk 'Scout in the House' challenge and the 'Box-Jam' online jamborees. And when restrictions have allowed, have run socially-distanced meet ups.
Scarlett an Explorer Scouts from Norwich: "Over the last year my Scout Group has helped me to stay connected as it is has been a time with so much going on at school and in my personal life.
"Scouting has given me something to look forward to, it has helped me from feeling quite isolated to knowing there are a lot of people out there to help me.
"My group has done lots of different activities on Zoom anything from bingo, to scavenger hunts, to cooking and also camping at home in our gardens or front rooms."
Scarlett added: "I have also decided to started volunteering with my Scout Group as I feel I can give something back to the Scout section.
"It has given me leadership skills to help me be a better person in the future. There is something for everyone and we have great fun doing it.!"
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout: "The past year has been so tough for so many. And it's also shown just how important it is for us to work together to help those in need.
"Scouts plays a fundamental role in the lives of thousands of young people and our goal is to build back our membership by welcoming thousands of new volunteers across the movement.
"As an adult volunteer you can help us continue to make an incredible contribution towards helping young people learn new skills for life. You'll gain some great new skills, new friends and be part of empowering young people to be prepared for their future."