Supporting and developing the UK 6-25 programme

Dear colleague,

In March last year I wrote to you introducing the new volunteer structure for programme and activities at UK Headquarters, and outlining the projects planned for 2011/12. I am now in a position to summarise our progress this year, and to request your support for the recruitment of volunteer project team members for 2012/13 to work on areas approved by the Operations Committee.

I am delighted to say that in 2011/12 the Programme team included more than 75 active volunteers, working on a variety of projects and teams. A substantial number were found through the open recruitment process advertised at this time last year.

Highlights include:
> Programme material to support the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics
> Planned support for leaders delivering beaver scout residential experiences (to include residential experiences for adults in 2012)
> Work towards creation of support for young people in articulating the skills and experiences Scouting has given them to potential employers
> Progress towards our strategy to increase and improve practical skills in Scouting, and our extensive work to analyse the youth programme across all sections
> Supporting the pilot of running arts award in Scouting.

My key priority is to maintain the push to increase the number of volunteers working actively at UK level through contributing directly to projects and identifying future priorities. To this end, during the spring we will be holding a recruitment process to find volunteers to work on time-limited projects in the 2012/13 work plan.

To help us with the work detailed in this document, we shall begin advertising for volunteers from across the UK shortly. I would value your help in promoting the forthcoming appeal and encouraging people who you feel may be interested and suitable to get involved. Information will be on www.scouts.org.uk from 13 January, with a closing date for applications of 17 February. The areas to which we are recruiting people can be viewed by clicking here.

At the beginning of March we will be shortlisting those who have applied. At this point we will be contacting line managers to ask you to provide references for applicants, and to let us know if you have any concerns about them being appointed to headquarters roles. We will go ahead with interviews once we have heard from you, so please help us by responding as quickly as possible at this stage. You will be asked to respond to us by 9 March.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring our programme and activities remain relevant and vibrant for our young people. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me or other members of the Programme team on programme@scouts.org.uk.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Minajew,
UK Commissioner for Programme.