Skills for life

Where have we come from
Scouting has changed over the last decade. We changed the way we look and do things. We became smarter at how we deliver Scouting through better support for volunteers, and enabling people to volunteer flexibly.
As a result, Scouting today is growing. We are more diverse with more communities turning to Scouting for opportunities, activities and expertise. Young people are now taking a greater role in decision-making locally and nationally. They have become the face and voice of Scouting, and our Young Leaders are helping to deliver great programmes.

Our campaigning work has shown that we are relevant and engaged in issues affecting today’s society. We’re more sound and focused as an organisation, with a clearer idea of who we are – delivering everyday adventure. We’ve improved the way we make decisions, as well as our centres and facilities. But all of these achievements didn’t happen by chance. Our Members took responsibility for bringing about the changes we all knew were necessary.

Over the past two years, we have been thinking about what the next decade of Scouting might look like, what the new challenges will be and how we can work together as a Movement to meet them. As a result of this work, we have developed a new vision for the future, taking us to 2023.

What we want to be and where we want to go

Scouting in 2023 will:

prepare more young people with skills for life
be supported by amazing section leaders who will deliver an inspiring programme
continue to grow, be more inclusive, shaped by young people and make a bigger impact in our communities

Growth

By 2023 we will have:

50,000 more young people aged 6-18 in Scouts
10,000 frontline adult volunteers (Section Leaders and Assistant Section Leaders)
5,000 more Young Leaders.

Inclusivity

By 2023:

we will have started Scouts in 500 more areas of deprivation reaching young people who could benefit the most
our adult volunteers will reflect the demographics of our society

Youth Shaped

By 2023:

250,000 young people will be shaping their experiences at Scouts
50% of young people will be achieving the top awards

Community Impact

By 2023:

at least 250,000 young people will be making a positive impact in their community each year
50% of young people will be achieving the top awards