5th Fife Scout Group (Scottish Championship Award)
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-04160, in the name of David Torrance, on the 5th Fife scout group Kirkcaldy. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament congratulates the 5th Fife Scout Group, Kirkcaldy, on becoming the Scottish champions, having won the Black’s of Greenock National Camping Competition 2012; recognises what it considers to have been the significant contributions and hard work of Jenny Ritchie, Reagan McLauchlan, Chloe Whyte, Kiah McIntosh, Robbie Swanson and Olivia Ewan in the last six months, resulting in winning the Kirkcaldy District competition, competing in the zonal qualifiers and culminating in winning the final of the national competition; acknowledges Black’s of Greenock, who has supported the Scout Association in Scotland for a number of years and who, it believes, has helped make this a very successful competition; considers that the Scout Association has been very successful in its work with young people in Scotland through encouraging them to use a range of life skills, and praises the association for providing an opportunity for young people to undertake new challenges and adventures and, as a consequence, help them toward recognising and fulfilling their potential as individuals and as active members of society.
17:25
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
I refer members to my register of interests.
I welcome to the Parliament Jenny Ritchie, Reagan McLauchlan, Chloe Whyte, Kiah McIntosh, Robbie Swanson and Olivia Ewan of the 5th Fife scout group Kirkcaldy, along with one of their leaders, Carol Lindsay; James Duffy, chief executive of the Scout Association; Duncan Clark, chairman of the association’s Scottish board; Alex Duncan, its regional commissioner for the east of Scotland; and other members of youth organisations from across Scotland.
The national camping competition for scouts has been running for many years in various formats, with the current competition having been run for the past five years under a new regional structure for scouting in Scotland. Black’s of Greenock has provided sponsorship for the competition, providing vouchers to the value of £500, £300 and £200 for first, second and third places respectively, and the Scout Association is grateful for its continued support.
The competition consists of patrols of six scouts aged between 10 and a half years and 14 and a half years, with the combined ages of the patrol members not exceeding 77 years, thus ensuring the participation of a wide range of ages. To reach the finals, the scouts had to win their district competition and then take part in one of the three zonal qualifiers at Templars’ Park in Aberdeen, Bonaly in Edinburgh, and Lapwing in Paisley on the weekend of 23 and 24 June. The top 10 teams then went through to the final at Fordell Firs national scout activity centre in Fife on the weekend of 15 and 16 September.
During the competition, the teams are judged on the basis of various skills, including leadership, teamwork, initiative, general camp craft, layout of site, hygiene and safety, cooking skills, camp gadgets and first aid. In addition to setting up camp and maintaining a safe and tidy campsite, the scouts had to undertake a wide range of tasks that tested their general scouting skills. I wonder how many in the chamber today can cook a three-course meal from basic ingredients over an open fire in a set time.
Not only did the 5th Fife scout group Kirkcaldy win the Scottish finals with 850 points from a possible 1,000, they were also the winners of their zonal qualifiers, achieving the highest score of any team competing over that weekend in June. The team was led by female patrol leader Jennifer Ritchie, and comprised four girls and two boys, which shows the impact that girls are having in the scout movement today. Female scouts now make up 15 per cent of the membership in the scouting section. The weekends of training preceding the competition highlighted the dedication and willingness to learn of the scouts who are present here today, who, with their leaders, spent every weekend in May, June and August and a couple of weekends in April and September working towards the competition. The results of their efforts can be seen as they sit in the chamber proudly wearing their Scottish championship neckers.
The scout movement started in 1907 with an experimental camp on Brownsea Island with boys from different social and educational backgrounds. Some 105 years later, scouting has grown to become the world’s largest co-educational voluntary youth movement, with some 32 million members in 215 countries. Scouting has changed over the years, but it retains its primary purpose, which is to contribute to the development of young people and to help them to achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, while encouraging them to become responsible citizens who make valuable contributions as members of their local, national and international communities.
Scotland can boast of having the first registered scout troop in the world, which was the 1st Glasgow, established in 1908. Scouting has come a long way since then. Since the world centenary of scouting in 2007, membership of Scottish scouting has seen six years of consecutive growth, with young people joining scouting in ever-increasing numbers at a time when young people in Scotland are often portrayed in a stereotypically negative way by the media.
The Scottish scouting 2012 census recorded more than 41,000 members, who operate through 596 local scout groups in all 32 local authorities. Over the past six years, membership has increased by 19 per cent, with youth membership up 21 per cent, the number of adult volunteers up 12 per cent and the number of female members up by some 37 per cent. However, the highest growth has been in the age group that is classed as difficult to get to—namely, the explorer scouts, with an age range from 14 to 17—where there has been an incredible increase of 67 per cent. Undoubtedly, that shows the positive impact that scouting is having in communities in Scotland.
Scouting in Scotland is not standing still. It promotes a positive vision of the future that can also be enjoyed by more young people and adult volunteers. Scouting has a demonstrable impact on our communities.
I thank David Torrance for taking an intervention. I was lucky enough to attend the 33rd Blair Atholl jamborette this year, as my son is an explorer scout. Does David Torrance agree that the efforts of the Fife scouts in raising more than £10,000 to ensure that a Japanese troop that had been devastated by the tsunami could come to Blair Atholl this year is another example of the outstanding work of our young people in Scotland?
I think that all Scout Association members, and especially those in Fife, are to be congratulated on such efforts. I know that the Scout Association worldwide raises money so that scouts in countries who would otherwise be unable to come to world jamborees can be brought across to events such as the one in Blair Atholl.
Scouting also works in partnership with other organisations, such as Girlguiding UK, the Boys Brigade, Youth Scotland and Clubs for Young People Scotland. Scouting has been supported by the Scottish Government cashback for communities scheme and by the national voluntary youth work organisations support fund. That vital funding has not only helped to expand scouting in Scotland, but has contributed to its continued success.
Scouting in Scotland is supported by nine professional staff at Scottish scout headquarters, but the heart of the movement lies in the 7,000 or so adult volunteers, who turn up week upon week on their scout night, give up their time at weekends and often use their annual leave to take scouts camping for up to two weeks during summer holidays. That is made possible only by their prior participation in modules for leader training, first-aid certification and camping permits. Many volunteers extend their qualifications even further by going on to gain outdoor qualifications in activities including canoeing, skiing, climbing, archery and other pursuits. That is done not only in their own time but, in some cases, at their own expense. We can only applaud their dedication and commitment, without which scouting would not be the success that it is today.
Also integral to the success of the scout movement is the support and back-up that is provided by parents, who take on a variety of different roles within scout groups.
To those from the 5th Fife scout group who are present in the chamber today, I say that I hope that they will continue to enjoy the rest of their scouting experience. To the scout movement in Scotland and worldwide, I wish every success in the future. I remain confident that the scout movement will continue to play a vital role in communities across Scotland and have a positive impact in educating young people and helping them to make significant contributions to many different sections of our society.
17:33
In thanking David Torrance for securing today’s members’ business debate, I add my warm congratulations to the 5th Fife scout group Kirkcaldy on winning the Lyall trophy and on becoming Scottish champions at the Black’s of Greenock national camping competition 2012. In particular, my congratulations go to Jenny Ritchie, Reagan McLauchlan, Chloe Whyte, Kiah McIntosh, Robbie Swanson and Olivia Ewan, and I welcome them to the chamber this evening. I also take the opportunity to congratulate the Calder district and Arbroath and Montrose district scout groups, which finished second and third in the competition.
I welcome this evening’s debate because it gives us the opportunity to recognise the contribution of not only the Kirkcaldy scouts but the scouting organisation as a whole. Uniformed youth groups including the scouts are a lot of fun not only for kids—we have all the Hallowe’en parties coming up next week—but for parents and carers, who volunteer in many different ways. When I got the note last night about baking for the Christmas fair, I thought, “Is it that time of year already?”, but I like the involvement and being able to play my very small part in the organisation.
Uniformed organisations offer much more than that. They support children and young people to grow in confidence and to learn skills that can benefit them throughout their lives. Yes, camping is one aspect, but regardless of age or location—be it inner-city or rural Scotland—the common theme that runs throughout scouting, from beavers and cubs to explorers and scout network, is of team building and problem solving.
A recent survey found that 89 per cent of scouts believed that they gained social, teamworking and leadership skills while part of the organisation. It is no surprise that the same survey found that 41 per cent of community organisations more widely believe that having scouting on a CV is a positive feature when appointing.
It is therefore great that the number of scouts in Scotland is on the rise and that more and more children and young people are getting the chance to learn and to perfect those skills. Membership is at its highest since the millennium. In the past year alone, scouting in Scotland has had an increase in membership of 4 per cent, which is the largest increase in the four countries in the United Kingdom. It is great that many girls across the UK are signing up, with one in seven of all youth members in Scotland being female. Last year, for the first time, the number of girls who joined outstripped the number of boys.
The rise in membership numbers is in no small part down to the tireless and dedicated work of volunteers across the country. Without those people, there would be no scouts, so their work should never go unrecognised. Indeed, if there were more volunteers, I am sure that the number of scouts would rise even more, as the waiting list seems to run into the thousands. The scouts should be congratulated on their efforts to ensure that their members continue to carry out voluntary work for the organisation. It is great that more than 2,000 young people in the 14 to 25 age group now volunteer in the scouts on a weekly basis.
It should be recognised that the uniformed organisations promote volunteering outside their organisations and that 82 per cent of youth members in the scouts volunteer at least once a year, while 36 per cent of former youth members continue to volunteer for at least two hours a week in other organisations. Therefore, scouting builds a real legacy of people getting involved in their community and volunteering.
It has been a pleasure to recognise the Scout Association and, in particular, the 5th Fife group in Kirkcaldy. I recognise the hard work and dedication of the many scout groups throughout Fife, which work well together and with other organisations. I wish them all the best in future years.
17:37
Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
I, too, thank David Torrance for bringing this debate to the chamber and I welcome the Fife scout group to the public gallery.
When Mr Torrance talked through the achievements of the scouting movement, that took me back. I was a cub—although at that time they were known as wolf cubs—and I remember attaining the leaping wolf at the Templars park, which Mr Torrance referred to. I, too, had the privilege of attending Bonaly many a time when I was a member of the 77th Liberton here in Edinburgh.
The scout movement gave me an opportunity to compete as an equal among those who were able-bodied but who did not see a sight impairment as an impairment. I, too, can cook a three-course meal outdoors without appropriate utensils. I remember my first attempt at frying an egg. The stone was not particularly flat and the egg fell off, but on my second attempt the stone was certainly heated and the egg was perfect. I remember cooking a burger wrapped in cabbage leaves and then mud and tossed into the fire. It was one of the volunteer scout leaders here in Edinburgh at the time, Colin MacLean—who sadly died earlier this year—who retrieved it, thank goodness.
The scout movement did not only give me life skills; it allowed me to do many things that I probably would not have been able to do otherwise. I have been canoeing in the Tweed; I have climbed many Munros; I have been pony trekking; I have abseiled; and I had the privilege of going to a world jamboree in Amersfoort in Holland in the early 1970s. At that jamboree, I swam for Scotland, and I won gold. [Applause.]
The scout movement is a movement to be proud of, and it probably made me the person that I am today. I learned many a thing in my early days with the scouts and I keep them with me and dear to me as an adult.
Unfortunately, I am no longer involved in the scout movement but, having been a cub, a scout and a scout leader, I remember how much I enjoyed everything that I did and what a privilege it was. A few years ago, someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You won’t remember me, but I was one of your cubs. Can I introduce you to my children?” That made me feel my age.
The scout movement is a movement to be proud of. It is wonderful that girls now play an active part in it. I wish the scouts well now and in the future. I again congratulate the scout group from Fife who are in the gallery on the award that they have attained and on their achievements.
17:40
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
I join David Torrance in congratulating the 5th Fife scout group Kirkcaldy on their achievement in becoming Scotland’s national camping champions 2012. I, too, welcome them to the public gallery.
I am confident that I speak for the entire Parliament when I recognise the invaluable contribution that the Scout Association and its many volunteers make to the lives of the young people of Scotland.
In addition to working with school-age children, the Scout Association provides training and support to adult volunteers, who develop new vocational and educational skills through training courses and events. Those skills enable adult volunteers to be leaders in our communities and offer young people the chance to be part of an active and dynamic international organisation.
That is a fantastic example of the lifelong learning process that all should have the opportunity to join and enjoy, and to which a well-funded voluntary sector should be able to contribute significantly. It is also a powerful illustration of the fact that education is much more than textbooks and times tables and that we have a duty to offer all young Scots excellent extra-curricular opportunities.
I am humbled by the work that the 77th Glasgow (disabled) scout group does in my region. That local group gives boys and young men from the ages of eight to 25 with physical disabilities the chance to take part in outdoor adventure activities and international excursions. The vital work that the group carries out is undertaken by volunteers. The organisation employs no paid full-time or part-time staff members. One of the local volunteers there is Michael Shanks, who does an excellent job with the group. The group has no statutory funding. All its funds are raised from voluntary donations, without which the association would not exist.
Given the vital role that volunteers play in the lives of young people in Scotland, it is right that such work should be fully and sustainably funded and that volunteers should never go unrecognised or be out of pocket as a result of contributing their time and energy to our communities.
With the curriculum for excellence being implemented in Scottish schools, we must ensure that our children’s education is of as high a quality outside the core academic curriculum as it is within it. Part of that is supporting organisations such as the Scout Association to equip their members with the practical skills and confidence to create the community champions of tomorrow. Without proper investment in the voluntary sector and others who support extra-curricular development, the four capabilities—competent individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors—remain ambitious phrases with little relation to what is delivered.
The current financial crisis all too often restricts opportunities for young people, but volunteers and local charities are stepping up to offer training and support in our communities, build the skills of local people and champion our economic recovery. That is why groups such as the Scout Association should be offered the Scottish Government’s support and why volunteers throughout the country should be recognised for the crucial work that they do.
17:44
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
I thank David Torrance for bringing this debate to the Parliament this evening and I add my warm congratulations to the six young people in the gallery. They should be immensely proud of what they have achieved, no doubt in the face of stiff competition from lots of other scout groups. While it is a great result for the six of them, I am sure that they would want to put on the record their thanks to the whole 5th Fife scout group in Kirkcaldy for helping them to achieve their national success and provide wider recognition of the merits of the scouting movement.
For exactly the reasons that Dennis Robertson spoke about, the scout movement is at the bedrock of the support for young people between the ages of 12 and 18 as they develop personally, physically and emotionally. I never fail to be impressed by the way in which the scout movement adapts to the challenges that are faced by young generations, which change over time even if there are some similarities. It is that ability to move with the times that I admire so much in the scout movement. The range of exciting opportunities that are provided to people are invaluable when it comes to later life.
As David Torrance said in his opening speech, all too often we in the Parliament are confronted with negative stories surrounding what is a tiny minority of young people in Scotland. That disproportionate attention sometimes threatens to diminish the good news, so it is always a pleasure to be able to support worthy causes such as this one, particularly as the group has successfully encouraged more youngsters to join as time has gone on. Other members have mentioned the increase in national scout membership, but I am particularly impressed by the fact that the membership in the Kirkcaldy district has increased for 10 years in a row. That is a considerable achievement given what is happening in some other areas of extra-curricular activity.
Indeed, these days, there is even more reason to encourage all youngsters to participate in scouting or similar activities, given the movement’s track record in providing its members with relevant skills, self-esteem and confidence, as well as the opportunity to make the many lasting friendships that come about as a result of the work that such groups do in their local communities.
Before the debate, I took a quick look at the Kirkcaldy district scout group’s new website and annual report. I was hugely impressed by the significant contribution that the scouts have made to their local community and the diverse range of activities that they pursue, whether that is helping in old people’s homes, doing a beach clean or whatever. I was particularly impressed by the fact that it was the first group to have a sleepover in Deep Sea World. I trust that it was not underwater, but I congratulate the scouts on that, too.
One section of the report that really stood out for me was the chairman’s comments. He wrote:
“I make no apologies for placing on written record once again my genuine and heartfelt thanks to each and every adult leader and helper who work tirelessly to provide exciting and enjoyable Scouting activities for the young people throughout the District. Without their commitment and enthusiasm the District would not be as successful as it is so to each and every one of you ... THANK YOU!!”
As parliamentarians, we also thank them.
This evening’s debate is a timely opportunity to highlight the need for more adult volunteers to come forward to help with local beavers, cubs, scouts and explorer groups. I know from the conversations that I have had with scouts, cadets and girls brigade groups all over Perthshire and other areas of Mid Scotland and Fife that the level of volunteering is still a major issue, but the success of the 5th Fife scout group should be an inspiration to everyone. Many congratulations—I wish the group every success in the future.
17:48
Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
I join my fellow MSPs in welcoming our scout visitors to their Parliament. I endorse the motion that is before us and pay tribute to the members of the 5th Fife scout group who are mentioned in it.
I also thank David Torrance MSP for bringing the debate to the chamber. I understand that he entered the scouts in 1969 at the age of eight and became a scout leader when he was 18. He has held most positions in his scout group over the past 33 years—he looks too young for that. For the past 12 years, he has been the group’s scout leader. Because of his hard work and dedication, David Torrance has been awarded the highest achievement in venture scouts—now explorer scouts: the Queen’s scout award. Throughout all his hard work he has been in the same scout group for 43 years. I am sure that his leadership is an example to all.
People may ask, “What is scouting?” Scouting is a worldwide youth development movement that is active in 216 countries and territories and has a global membership of more than 28 million. As has already been said, it was started in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell to give boys the opportunity to try activities that they would not otherwise have the chance to do, with the aim of helping them expand their horizons. In 1976, the movement started to accept girls as well. Today scouting has evolved; it has changed considerably to meet changes in society and the world in general.
I was never a scout but I understand that scouting provides challenges and adventures for young people of both genders aged between six and 25. It is a relevant and modern pursuit for those who enjoy adventure and want to meet new friends while developing new skills. Scouting is all about fun, as David Torrance and Dennis Robertson have told us. I have never boiled egg on a stone and I look forward to Dennis showing me how to do that. Scouting is also about helping members to fulfil their potential as individuals and as active members of society.
What do scouts do? The point has been well made that they work well for their community and they involve the community in their work. Scouts learn by doing, thinking for themselves, working in teams and taking responsibility. That includes everyday adventure at weekly or less regular meetings, as well as exciting outdoor activities or trips away. Scouting offers a huge range of activities and experiences to suit all ages, abilities and interests. Basically, it is a balanced programme.
Scouting includes activities such as badge work, awards and challenges. Scouts award badges to recognise personal achievements and progression. Young people can work towards a range of awards and challenges that reward participation, commitment and achievement.
Scouting also involves camping and outdoor activities. Over the past few months, David Torrance has told me about the work that he has done on outdoor activities in the Borders. Those activities are a very important part of scouting and, I suggest, are an excellent way to develop what scouts are doing.
Scouts also have international experiences. Lots of young people will have their first taste of foreign travel and meet people from other countries with the scouts, and there are opportunities to travel abroad to international camps. Service to the community has also been mentioned.
I pay tribute to all scouts. I agree with Liz Smith’s comments and think that 95 per cent of kids are really excellent. The work that the scouts do is excellent and I support the motion.
17:53
Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab)
I thank David Torrance, my colleague from the Health and Sport Committee. We are well represented by speakers who are members—or former members, at least—of that committee; I am glad to be in that group. The motion gives us an opportunity to support and congratulate the 5th Fife scout group of Kirkcaldy in winning the Scottish championship award. I do not have the experience of personal involvement in the scouting movement that David Torrance and Dennis Robertson speak of. I was with the other lot—the Boys Brigade. By way of mitigation, my grandson is on his way to 1st Gourock beavers tonight at six o’clock, which he thoroughly enjoys and which I hope he will participate in for a long, long time.
I was tempted to speak in the debate tonight to give a wee mention to Black’s of Greenock. The mention of Black’s in the motion caught my eye. and I thought that there was an opportunity for me to lead into scouting in Inverclyde. Black’s of Greenock was established when Thomas Black gave up his seagoing and established a sailmakers in Greenock in 1861. It is good to see that his name goes on long after him.
Remembering scouting in Greenock and district gives me the opportunity to say that scouts there will recognise the efforts and achievements of the 5th Fife scout group of Kirkcaldy because, in the past 10 years, scouts in Inverclyde have won the championship in 2002 and 2009. I suppose that we are here to boast as well and share the congratulations.
Scouting in the Inverclyde area has been long established. Members may know the Everton campsite, which was established in 1923. However, the scouting movement is not just a historical fact, of course; it is alive and surviving—indeed, it is thriving—and it has a future. There are just over 1,600 Inverclyde scouts, which is an increase of more than 100 per cent since 2007, among the communities of Wemyss Bay, Inverkip, Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow right up to Quarrier’s Village. They must be doing something right.
Although he would deny it, the scouts are ably led by the irrepressible and ever-enthusiastic district commissioner, David McCallum, who makes not only scouts but MSPs work. I do not know how many events we have attended this year. There was the presentation of the millennium awards in St Patrick’s school in February. Apart from the Queen’s visit, of course, the single biggest event in the jubilee celebrations in Greenock was the scouts event. I joined them for that in Westburn church in June. The gang show will take place in November—David McCallum is organising it as we speak. Those events happen only because of the commitment of the volunteers. David McCallum would probably reject my mentioning him only, but I cannot mention all the volunteers and he represents an enthusiasm and commitment to serving the scouts well.
In all the events, activities and achievements that have been mentioned and will, it is hoped, be accomplished, one of the proudest achievements that the scouts talk about is the initiative at Glenburn special needs school. There are 40 beavers and cub scouts there, supported by a dedicated team that ensures that even the most vulnerable children in our community can participate in scouting. With that commitment and dedication, they will always have a future.
17:58
Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP)
I, too, congratulate David Torrance on securing this members’ business debate, and commend him for highlighting some of the positive work in his constituency. I also congratulate the 5th Fife scout group and the winning team members who are in the public gallery.
I have tremendous respect for the scouting movement and for everyone who gives up their time to assist Scotland’s younger people. The Scout Association has a wonderful history, some of which we have already heard about. I am sure that it will be around for a long time after I have left this earth.
I was not in the scouts; I was in the Boys Brigade. I know that there is a small bit of friendly rivalry between the scouts and the Boys Brigade. That is healthy. Those organisations have immense mutual respect for each other, which is certainly to be commended and highlighted. Both provide younger people with opportunities that may not ordinarily be available to them, and I am delighted that so many young people take up those opportunities. We have already heard about the increasing numbers of younger people who have joined the scouting movement in recent years. That can only be a good thing.
In preparing for the debate, I contacted the district commissioner for the Greenock and district scouts, David McCallum. Mr McCallum and his team are committed to the younger people of Inverclyde and Scotland. They have doubled the number of young people taking part in scouting in one area since 2007, which is a remarkable achievement for the team. There are now 17 groups, from beavers up to explorer scout units, and there are many personal and group achievements within the membership. That increase took place not by chance but because of a concerted and planned effort.
I will not go into all the successes of the Greenock and district scouts, but I will highlight a couple. Greenock and district scouts have forged a working arrangement with the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland to help young people earn their Duke of Edinburgh’s award badges. I know how difficult it is to get a Duke of Edinburgh’s award badge, not because I did it but because my sister did. I know how much time and effort she had to put in to get her badges.
I highlight my entry in the register of interests, as I am an ambassador for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. I know exactly the excellent work that it does and how it helps hundreds of people from across Scotland and a range of backgrounds every year. Its working partnership with the scouts is only one example of the Inverclyde community working together.
Another positive example of the Greenock and district scouts involves activities related to this year’s diamond jubilee celebrations—854 beavers, cubs, scouts, explorers and leaders held their annual parade and church service, which also became a celebration of the diamond jubilee. That was a wonderful achievement, which involved so many members.
The 60th Greenock and district group has 40 beavers and cub scouts at Glenburn school in Greenock, which is a school for pupils with additional support needs. The group, which operates on a Friday afternoon during school time, is operated by a dedicated team of individuals and offers a scouting opportunity to young people who would not ordinarily have that chance.
I congratulate the Greenock and district scouts on their decision to establish the group. I also congratulate Inverclyde Council on working in partnership with the Greenock and district scouts to make the group happen and on the other joint working that takes place between both organisations.
I could go on, but I would be here for a while. I have given a flavour of one or two of the things that take place within the Inverclyde area.
The part of David Torrance’s motion from
“considers that the Scout Association has been very successful”
to the end is so accurate. Hundreds of thousands of Scots have benefited greatly from the scouting movement during its 105-year history. I am sure that over the next 105 years many more will have the opportunity to benefit and will grab it with both hands.
As a former boys brigader, I commend the Scouting Association and wish it every success in the future. Once again, I thank David Torrance for bringing the debate to the Parliament.
I call on the minister, Aileen McLeod, to close on behalf of the Government.
18:02
Presiding Officer, I remind you that it is Aileen Campbell not Aileen McLeod.
I beg your pardon. Shoot me now—forgive me.
It is an easy mistake to make. There can never be too many Aileens in life.
I, too, warmly congratulate David Torrance on securing the debate and thank him for drawing to our intention the achievements of the 5th Fife scout group, which is not an easy name to say. It is a bit like that old score, East Fife 4, Forfar 5; it is a bit of a tongue twister. I thought that it was the 5th Kirkcaldy scout group, but maybe I am wrong. Nevertheless, the 5th Fife scout group deserves our recognition.
The motion has given us the opportunity to debate the contribution that young people are making in their communities and to society. It is good to hear that the chamber is united in support of the motion. I am pleased and privileged to close the debate.
I congratulate the 5th Fife scout group on becoming the Scottish champions, having won the Black’s of Greenock national camping competition this year. David Torrance laid out very well the challenges that the scouts undertook to win the award. I bet that, despite the challenges, it was a lot of fun. That is what Richard Lyle was alluding to when he said that fun is fundamental to the scouting movement. I am sure that the scouts have a lot of stories to tell, which they might share with us later on.
It was nice to meet the scouts in the garden lobby earlier and see them being shown round our Parliament.
I pay tribute to Clare Adamson for her intervention, which was useful in highlighting the fantastic work that the scout movement does around the country.
Like others in the debate, I want to name the scouts involved: Jenny Ritchie, Reagan McLauchlan, Chloe Whyte, Kiah McIntosh, Robbie Swanson and Olivia Ewan. Their talents, hard work and tenacity contributed significantly to the scout group winning the award, so well done to everyone involved. Well done, too, to the 9th Airdrie scout group and the 4th Arbroath and Montrose scout group, who were the runners-up in that challenging competition.
I also welcome to the chamber James Duffy, the chief executive of the Scouts Association; Carol Lindsay, the Kirkcaldy scout group leader; Duncan Clark, the chairman of the association’s Scottish board; Alex Duncan, the association’s commissioner of the East Scotland region; and others who are involved in youth work.
It is good to know that other uniformed groups and cadets are represented in the public gallery. Over the summer months, I enjoyed meeting the Boys Brigade, the girl guides and the cadets at the Edinburgh military tattoo. Like Stuart McMillan, I had to make an admission about my background. At the girl guides event that I spoke at, I had to admit that I was a member of the Girls Brigade. Nonetheless, I recognise the support that each of the uniformed groups give to one another.
Like Duncan McNeil, I take the opportunity to thank Black’s of Greenock for its support over the past four years for the Scout Association in Scotland. It is partnerships such as that that help to forge communities, enhance society and make a real and lasting difference to young people’s lives. I wish his grandson all the best at his first scout meeting tonight.
The Government wants Scotland to be the best place in the world for children to grow up. Youth work organisations, such as the scouts, are helping our young people to be the successful, confident, effective and responsible individuals that our nation needs.
David Torrance provided a useful historical overview of the development of the scout movement over the years, and it is good to know that Dennis Robertson’s positive and happy memories of the scouts have had a lasting legacy.
As Anne McTaggart stated, youth work is making a significant contribution to young people’s health, wellbeing and learning. It supports delivery across all the national outcomes and it contributes to key policies such as curriculum for excellence, opportunities for all and getting it right for every child.
The youth work sector has a vital role to play in implementing curriculum for excellence. There are important delivery partners in the sector that offer young people valuable opportunities for learning and personal development both in and out of school. Young people learn in different ways, and youth work gives them the chance to flourish in a wide range of learning contexts. Curriculum for excellence recognises that not all learning takes place in schools, and activities such as the scouts can play an important role in young people’s lives.
In informal and fun settings across the country, youth work organisations are helping young people to develop confidence, learn to problem solve and work well with others. Employers are calling out for those skills and our young people need them to succeed in the modern world—Claire Baker made a point about how important it is for people applying for jobs to have such skills in their résumés.
In particular, as other members did, I want to highlight the valuable role that the thousands of volunteers play across Scotland. Without volunteers, it would be impossible to deliver the activities that organisations such as the scouts provide. A recent snapshot survey by YouthLink Scotland estimates that more than 73,000 adults are volunteering with national voluntary youth work organisations. In my constituency, the Biggar youth project, street level with universal connections, and many others including the local uniformed groups are providing positive activities for our young people. Volunteers make that happen, and it is right that we acknowledge their time commitment towards ensuring that young people have activities in their communities.
Indeed, Scouts Scotland is a volunteer-led movement. Its programmes for young people are delivered with the support of almost 7,000 adult volunteer members, not to mention the countless number of parents and other supporters. In addition to that, more than 2,000 young scout members regularly volunteer their time to support their younger peers. As Claire Baker said, volunteers build a real and lasting legacy for a community.
Does the minister agree that the scout movement, as with other uniformed organisations, removes all gender, disability, ethnic minority barriers? It sees young people as young people—that is attributable to the volunteers and we need to acknowledge that, too.
Absolutely. Dennis Robertson’s experience during his time in the scouts is a perfect illustration of why the scouts and other uniformed groups are so important. They give young people the chance to be young people and to experience all the things in life that are natural for young people across Scotland to experience. The member makes a very good point.
It is important that we focus on the positive aspects of what young people in Scotland do. Too often, we see negative headlines about aspects of young people’s lives that are not going well, but there is a raft of young people who are doing extremely good things in their communities. It is often the case that we do not hear enough about those stories. Tonight’s debate is important in that it highlights the young talent that we have in Scotland. We should never shy away from showcasing what Scottish young people can do for their communities.
Young volunteers are essential, and it is good to know that opportunities have been provided by the voluntary sector and by people across the country. We should value that army of workers more. Youth work organisations such as the scouts are a vital cog in our drive to improve young people’s life chances.
Youth work really is about giving people the skills that they need to succeed in life, which is why I am pleased to congratulate the 5th Fife scout group on its achievements in building young people’s skills and capacities, developing young people as future leaders, and trusting young people to take charge.
I am pleased, too, to thank the group for giving us a good debate. The scouts who have attended the debate deserve our recognition, and the scouts and others who are involved in youth work deserve our thanks for improving the life chances of young people across Scotland.
Meeting closed at 18:11.