Below are our key achievements in 2024, and you’ll be able to find out lots more detail and achievements in the later pages of our annual report.
Programme
Top awards earned: 1,271 Chief Scouts Awards, 131 Duke of Edinburgh Awards, 14 Young Leader Belts & 3 King’s Scout Awards
Notts Scouts Adventure delivered 28,769 youth activity hours and 6,000 adult training hours and introduced new activities like Mega SUPs. It was the first-time use of Hoveringham Activity Centre at County Camp with 760 activity slots. Progress is being made on the new activity centre building, ensuring long-term adventure programme sustainability. We have 110 volunteers supporting the adventure programme.
The BIG Weekend returned after six years since our last county camp. Over 3,000 participants took part. We relocated to Newark Showground after flooding, offering a full programme including new features like a driving school and silent disco. It involved 18 months of planning and widespread volunteer support.
Nottingham Gang Show is preparing for its 75th anniversary in 2025. There’s been a record audition turnout: 123 senior and 63 junior cast members, all supported by 70+ volunteers.
Growth & Development
Youth membership increased by 2.2%, exceeding national growth.
Squirrel numbers rose by 50%, despite slight dips in Beaver and Cub sections.
Young Leaders increased by 11%, strengthening youth leadership development.
We introduced tailored district growth plans, with a continued focus on expansion of Squirrel Dreys.
Volunteer Experience
Launched new digital tools to modernise volunteering (new membership and learning platforms).
Go-Live Support Team resolved hundreds of volunteer queries.
Volunteering Development
We delivered lots of training courses, particularly for First Response
We awarded 108 wood badges to our volunteers to recognise the completion of the adult training scheme.
Launched a county Scout Experience Survey for feedback and input into the new county plan.
Planning to introduce learning opportunities in mental health, neurodiversity, and behaviour management.
We recognised lots of our volunteers, with 179 Good Service Awards and 366 Length of Service Awards (totalling 5,920 years of service). Our County Awards Advisory Group have fostered a strong culture of appreciation.
Perception
We revitalised our county newsletter, making it more engaging and frequent with bitesize content.
We welcomed our new Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, to The BIG Weekend.
Scout Ambassador Tim Peake’s visit to Nottingham featured on our national social media pages.
Forged partnerships with local organisations (e.g., Nottingham Panthers where over 600 discounted tickets have been sold).
