News

The 31st Ernesettle Squirrels have achieved a remarkable milestone by earning their Together for Childhood Healthy Relationships badge, a testament to their commitment to fostering positive relationships. This special event was marked by the presentation of the first Healthy Relationships badge and the arrival of a beloved new member, Build-a-Bear Ernie (named after Ernesettle), who will play an essential role in their journey. The event also saw Squirrels playing themed games around the badge criteria and enjoyed a party with their family and friends.

The Healthy Relationships badge programme was developed through a collaboration between Together for Childhood, the NSPCC, and the Scouts, embodying the well known NSPCC ethos and positive relationship practices. This initiative brought together the dedicated team at 31st Ernesettle Scout Group, led by Lead Volunteer Trevor Richards, the Squirrels Leadership Team, and the District Team, including former District Commissioner John Davies, Deputy District Commissioner Paul Roberts, and Assistant District Commissioner for Squirrels, Danielle Wilson.

Key Highlights:

• Planning and Collaboration: The project was meticulously planned with the Ernesettle leaders, ensuring that parents and carers were involved and consenting. The badge’s curriculum will evolve as the children grow, ensuring that all messages about healthy relationships remain developmentally appropriate and relevant to their learning at school.
• Role of Build-a-Bear Ernie: Ernie has been a significant asset in delivering crucial messages to children and supporting parents and carers in initiating important conversations. He has previously been used in therapy sessions and is now eager to join the scouts to earn his Together for Childhood Healthy Relationships badge. And now every Ernesettle Squirrel has their very own “Ernie”.
• Educational Objectives: The sessions aim to equip children with the knowledge and skills to build happier and safer relationships. The programme covers both online and offline interactions, encouraging children to seek help if they feel unsafe or worried.

The badge was pioneered with the 31st Ernesettle Squirrels and will next be rolled out to their Beavers. As the programme develops, it will extend to Cubs and Scouts, ensuring that all age groups benefit from this valuable initiative. The ultimate goal is to expand the badge across the district and, eventually, nationally.

The Together for Childhood initiative promotes positive relationships as a central ethos, drawing on concepts such as the NSPCC Pantosaurus messaging. This approach emphasises the importance of keeping ourselves safe and treating others with respect and kindness.

Ernie has been instrumental in distributing valuable resources, such as leaflets about ChildLine, the Helpline for adults with concerns about a child, and PANTS information. His contributions have been invaluable, and we are thrilled to welcome him as our very own Scouting Build-a-Bear Healthy Relationships Ambassador.

This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring that every child in the 31st Ernesettle group has the tools and support they need to thrive. We are incredibly proud of our Squirrels for their hard work and dedication.

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A former Scout leader who was involved for over 60 years with the scouting movement was delighted to receive a visit from the 1^st Keyham (St Mark) Scouts at the residential home where he lives in St Budeaux, Plymouth.

Resident John Stone was a Scout leader for over six decades and despite his dementia he regularly reminisces about these times with staff at Butterfly Lodge.

The care team are currently engaged in a programme called ‘If only I could’ which is aimed at making residents’ dreams come true: they enable the people they support to revisit favourite activities they thought they were no longer able to do.

Tara West, who works as a healthcare assistant and is also Butterfly Lodge’s dignity champion, said: “When we spoke to John about making a wish for the ‘If only I could’ programme he spoke about his time with the Scouts and really lit up.

“John always loves to talk to me about what he used to do in the Scouts, and I find it so interesting – I could sit there for hours and listen to his stories.”

During their visit, as well as engaging with the residents, the Scouts constructed and installed a new bird house to go in the garden at Butterfly Lodge, under the guidance of Scout leader Chris Morton.

Tara West said: “John was delighted to spend time talking with them about what he used to do as a Scout leader and really enjoyed hearing about why they enjoy scouting and what activities they like best.

“He keeps telling everyone what a wonderful afternoon it was, and I’m hoping we can do it again.

“I am endlessly impressed that John spent over 60 years involved with the movement and we knew it would make him really happy to have a surprise visit from the local youngsters.

“Huge thanks to Chris Morton and Tracey Cooke of the 1^st Keyham (St Mark) Scouts for working with us to make John’s dream come true.”

The activities inspired by the ‘If only I could’ wish-list form part of a busy and varied programme of activities provided for residents of Butterfly Lodge. The home is run by specialist dementia care providers Camelot Care who also run homes in Bridgwater, Wellington and Yeovil.

Our very own Trevor Richards recently attended a service at Westminster Abbey in recognition of his Silver Acorn Award.
The Silver Acorn, worn on an orange ribbon around the neck, and emblems or pin badge with an orange knot is awarded for specially distinguished service for a period of not less than twenty years. We are very proud to have Trevor as one of the fantastic Leaders in Plymouth and thank him for his ongoing service.

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On Monday 8th January 2024, 1st Keyham Scouts represented the city’s Scouting movement on BBC Radio Devon & Radio Cornwall!
Joining Anoushka Williams from 18:30 Leaders Chris Morton & Danielle Wilson were accompanied by Scout: Troy, Cub: Edie, Beavers: Sebastian & Squirrel: Kobi. together they explored the benefits of scouting from Camping to art and even Japanese!

Scouts from groups across the city have joined in to help raise funds and join their local communities in fundraising activities- from helping Santa brave the cold and collect funds for the Rotary club, to assisting Trevi in raising money through the Stoke & Devonport Christmas Tree Festival and even hosting Santa in grottos, our scouting population have been incredibly busy!
Working towards community Impact badges is only part of the fun, but the feel-good factor blows it out of the water.
Congratulations to all volunteers and Young People involved!

Scouts from across Plymouth joined forces on Sunday 5th November to aid in raising funds for Plym Valley’s Save Our Steam appeal, in their bid to raise £40,000 for a new locomotive securing the future of the station.
With traditional scouting activities such as marshmallow roasting and archery as well as bouncy castles and rides on Albert, the £5 entry fee secured unlimited access to all this fun and more.
With hundreds of scouting members and their families able to attend, Plymouth Scouts (kindly supported by Plymouth Police Cadets) managed to raise over £2,000 towards the cause!

A huge congratulations to the organising members and a sincere thank you to all of the attending members, their families and our wider community for their support in this great event!

“A real (volunteer) team effort all round. Lovely atmosphere nice to see so many young people and families having a great time. All under the banner of Plymouth Scouts. Onwards to the next event.”A real (volunteer) team effort all round. Lovely atmosphere nice to see so many young people and families having a great time. All under the banner of Plymouth Scouts. Onwards to the next event.”

Plymouth Scouts Public Events

The members of the 1st Stonehouse Scout Group and their Group Scout Leader, Vicky Radmore, have made a remarkable contribution to their local community by creating Kindness boxes for the Pop-up Church in Plymouth to support homeless people in the area.

The Kindness boxes are filled with everyday essentials such as toiletries, snacks, and other useful items. What’s even more touching is that they have also included treats for homeless dogs, showing their compassion for all living beings.

This small act of kindness is already having a significant impact on the lives of those in need. It is heartening to see how the 1st Stonehouse Scout Group has come together to help those facing challenging times in their community. They have truly embodied the spirit of scouting, which emphasises the importance of helping others.

Vicky Radmore and her team have done an incredible job in creating these Kindness boxes. It is truly inspiring to see how they are making a positive difference in their community. Their generosity and compassion are setting an example for us all.

Congratulations to the 1st Stonehouse Scout Group on their outstanding efforts. They are an inspiration to us all, and their kindness will undoubtedly have a significant impact on those who receive the Kindness boxes.

Plymouth and South Devon Scouts recently celebrated Founders Day in style, with young scouting members sporting their uniforms to school across the city. The event was supported by a range of schools, including Marine Academy, Plymouth High School for Girls, Woodford Primary, Ernesettle Community School, Goosewell Primary Academy, St Peters RC Primary School, College Road Primary and many others, all of whom encouraged their students to wear their uniforms as a mark of respect for the founding of the Scouting movement.

The celebration was part of a wider movement that saw members of Girl Guiding donning their Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides uniforms to celebrate Thinking Day. From Squirrels to Leaders, Scouting members of all ages took part in the event, wearing their uniforms to work, university, and even on the school run.

Founders Day is an annual celebration of the foundations of Scouting and Girl Guiding, held on the birthdays of Robert Baden-Powell and Olave Baden-Powell, the founders of the two organisations respectively. This year’s celebration was particularly special, as it brought together members from across the city to mark the occasion in unison.