Expanding Scouting provision by opening new sections and groups will create meaningful, long-term benefits for young people, families, and the wider community. Increased capacity will ensure that more children and young people—particularly those currently on waiting lists or living in underserved or high-need areas—can access the unique opportunities that Scouting provides. New sections create safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces where young people can develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and essential life skills through hands-on experiences, outdoor adventure, and community involvement.
Opening additional provision also helps address gaps in local youth services, providing structured, positive activities that support physical and mental wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and offer young people a sense of belonging. These new opportunities not only benefit participants but also encourage greater family engagement and community cohesion, as parents, carers, and local volunteers become actively involved in the life of the group.
From a development perspective, expanding Scouting strengthens the long-term sustainability of local groups by widening volunteer teams, increasing visibility in the community, and creating more progression routes for young people as they move through different age sections. It also enables targeted outreach work, helping ensure that Scouting in Nottinghamshire remains accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the communities it serves.
To support this growth, each section opened in Nottinghamshire Scouts can apply for up to £200, and each new group opened can apply for up to £500, through the Nottinghamshire Scouts Development Grant. These grants help cover essential start-up costs such as equipment, programme resources, recruitment materials and initial running expenses—reducing barriers for groups wishing to expand and enabling them to offer high-quality Scouting from day one.
By investing in the creation of new sections and groups, we can extend the reach and impact of Scouting across Nottinghamshire, ensuring that even more young people benefit from Skills for Life programmes that empower them to thrive now and in the future.
All applications must be made by Scout Groups in Nottinghamshire, authorised by the Group Lead Volunteer and the District Lead Volunteer. If there are District sections wishing to apply, authorisation is required from the Section Lead volunteer and the District Lead Volunteer.
Scout Groups serving more deprived communities are more likely to be successful applicants. Deprived communities are defined by indices of multiple deprivation (IMD). Taking public data across several different categories of deprivation across all parts of the country are grouped into IMD deciles. Deprived communities are IMD decile 1 to 3 ( about the 30% most deprived parts of the country).
