Cathcart Beaver Scouts Saved by Heroic Parent “Loving It” in New Volunteer Role

Elizabeth (Liz) Davidson took on the role of Beaver Leader at the 43rd Glasgow (1st Cathcart) Scout Group in September 2022, stepping in at a critical time when the group faced the possibility of closure due to a shortage of adult volunteers.

National Volunteers Week is a UK-wide campaign that takes place from 1-7 June every year to celebrate and recognise volunteering efforts. For Clyde Scouts, it is a time to thank over 1,800 adult volunteers in Glasgow and Lanarkshire that volunteer their time on a regular basis. Despite these numbers, there is still a shortage of adult leaders.

Photo: 43^rd Glasgow (1^st Cathcart) Beaver Section

Liz Davidson, a Primary teacher in a school in the east end of Glasgow, was first introduced to Scouts when her son, Ruaridh, joined Beavers (the section for 6-8 year old’s). Due to an existing shortage in leaders, she volunteered for the first time in 2019 at a Cub (the section for 8-10½ year old’s) camp and thereafter on an occasional basis before stepping up as a regular volunteer for the Beaver section in September 2022.

On volunteering for the first time, Liz said: “I had Scouting and Guiding experiences when I was younger and such lovely memories from it. I knew there was a great group in my local area and when my son started, I saw how much fun he was having and then I wanted to get involved and become an adult helper”.

The lead volunteer for the group, Roberta Willis, who started volunteering with Scouts under similar circumstances over 26 years ago wrote to all parents of the group in autumn 2022 explaining that the Beaver section would have to close if a new leader could not be found.

On hearing about the threat of the section closing, Liz said: “I remembered how much my son loved Beavers and wanted to help keep it open, so I decided to give it a go”.

Photo: From left to right – Craig Willis (Group Treasurer and Husband of Roberta), Ruaridh Davidson, Roberta Willis and Liz Davidson

The recent Employability Badge report by DEMOS, a UK cross party think tank that works with charities, addressed the challenge of youth unemployment and how extracurricular activities, in particular Scouting, can give young people the skills and experiences they need to start work and progress in their careers. Specifically, it highlights the skills and benefits at risk of being lost without new volunteers like Liz joining Scouts as an adult volunteer.

The report shows that young people who take part in extracurricular activities feel much more prepared for the world of work and are gaining the skills (particularly the transferable skills) that employers want right now. 78% of full-time employed people say extracurricular activities had a big impact on their lives, compared to 62% of unemployed people.

Additionally, young people who were in Scouts are gaining the skills employers most value, with more than half saying the teamwork and leadership skills they learned in Scouts have helped in their careers. 53% of those who were in Scouts felt prepared to start work for the first time, compared to 37% people who didn’t take part in any extracurricular activities.

Despite the 43^rd Beaver section avoiding closure, demand for Scouting is high, especially given the benefits above. This creates waiting lists because there are not enough new adult volunteers to satisfy the demand and meet Safeguarding requirements (adult to young people ratios). It would only take 6 new leaders to clear the waiting list at the 43^rd Glasgow (across Beavers, Cubs and Scouts).

Roberta said: “We are always looking for new leaders and this is a role any adult can take on – no matter whether you know much about Scouts or not”.

The shortage of volunteers isn't just a problem acute to Cathcart, where the 43rd Glasgow is based. More volunteers are needed across the whole of Glasgow and Lanarkshire to clear waiting lists and enable more young people to benefit from the opportunities Scouting provides.

Photo: Liz Davidson (right) pictured with son Ruaridh (left)

Scouts not only has a positive impact on young people, but giving time to Scouts is good for our volunteers too – supporting their own skills, health and happiness, family and community.

Speaking about her 10 months of volunteering so far, Liz said: “I’m loving it so far. The children are great fun and it’s really interesting working with them. Every meeting is different and its really enjoyable. The camaraderie among the Beavers is great as well as amongst the other leaders”.

She continues: “It’s lots and lots of fun and you go home feeling that you have done something rewarding, worthwhile for your local community and that’s a great feeling”.

Don’t know how to put up a tent? Don’t know how to tie knots? Never worked with children before? Not a problem! Want to make a difference like Liz did? The Scouts are always on the lookout for inspiring leaders and volunteers. Find out more about how to get involved with your local Scouts with no obligations for reaching out here.