As we look back on 2025, it’s great to be able to reflect on all the amazing programmes, events and achievements we’ve made together this year, and to look ahead to even more exciting adventures in 2026.
This year kicked off with our annual NESST Challenge hikes with 1,500 participants lacing up their boots and rising to the challenge. March saw us return to the Theatre Royal with our dazzling 75th anniversary Gang Show! A cast and crew of over 250 took to the stage to entertain thousands with high energy and feel-good performances. We launched our brand-new event, The BIG Hideout, where 200 explorers went on the run, trying to evade capture from our hunter teams. Over 2,000 of you laced up your skates and took to the Ice in September to celebrate the National Ice Centre’s 25th Birthday. We also selected our 36 young people who will be representing Nottinghamshire at the 26th World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027. I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s been a phenomenal year!
There have been some challenging moments too, such as supporting over 2,500 adults to complete the new Safety learning and adopting our new digital tools and ways of working. It’s been painful and frustrating at times, but what has been really humbling is how we’ve shown our true Scouting values and supported one another through the challenges. I think we’ve all earned our Teamwork Challenge Awards!
It was fantastic to see our volunteers rewarded for their incredible efforts throughout the year. We presented over 300 volunteers with Good and Long Service awards – representing an incredible 3790 years of service to Scouting! We also held our first ever Thank You Garden Party hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, where 125 volunteers were thanked for their incredible and dedicated service. It was great to have some of our young people representing Nottinghamshire Scouts at the National Youth Forum in Manchester, helping to shape Scouting’s strategy for the next 9 years.
2026 is already shaping up to be another sensational year of Scouting. Our challenge hikes are back, we’ve got 3,000 of you joining us for The BIG Weekend in May, and later in the year we’ll be recruiting our ‘gang’ for the Gang Show in 2027. Possibly most exciting of all is the opening of our brand-new activity centre building at Hoveringham which will support and expand the amazing programme of activities that our adventure team provide and cement the long-term future of adventurous activities in Nottinghamshire. We will also host our first ever Lead Volunteer Summit in November, providing support, guidance and new perspectives for this important group of volunteers.
I want to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your phenomenal efforts this last year. You teach skills. You inspire. You change lives. Never underestimate the massive positive impact you have on our young people.
Jordan Phillips
County Lead Volunteer
Nottinghamshire Scouts
