Our dedicated Support Team plays a vital role in keeping the county running smoothly and effectively behind the scenes. From delivering targeted support for growth and development, to shaping and promoting our perception, assisting with event delivery, and offering expert guidance across a wide range of topics - we’re here to support our volunteers in any way we can.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, the team is always ready to provide practical, hands-on help wherever it’s needed, ensuring every part of Scouting in Nottinghamshire thrives.
The latest census figures show that while overall membership has shrunk slightly, there are some really encouraging signs of strength and future growth across Nottinghamshire Scouts.
Squirrels continue to grow, building on last year’s very strong 50% growth. This shows that our newest section remains firmly established and continues to attract young families into Scouting. This section will continue to grow into 2026 too, as we know there are groups wanting to open new drays.
Our Beaver and Cub sections have shrunk ever so slightly this year, but inline with the national trends. A drop in birth rates and volunteers telling us that they are struggling with challenging behaviour has led to sections restricting the number of young people they can accommodate. During 2026, we will be providing further support on challenging behaviour to ensure our volunteers are as prepared as possible to ensure we can reach more young people.
Importantly, Scouts have maintained strong numbers at 2,135 members, demonstrating stability in one of our largest sections. Explorer Scouts have also seen an increase, highlighting continued engagement among older young people and a healthy progression pathway.
Overall, we now support 7,468 young people, meaning thousands across Nottinghamshire continue to benefit from skills, adventure and friendship every single week.
Adult volunteer numbers remain strong, growing to 2407, a crucial foundation for sustainable growth. Our volunteer base is what enables us to deliver high-quality programmes and positions us well to grow membership again in the coming years.
Our Perception Team plays a vital role in shaping how Scouting is seen and understood across Nottinghamshire, helping to attract new members and volunteers, celebrate success, and strengthen relationships with communities, partners and civic leaders.
Over the past year, we have continued to build strong and meaningful relationships with the Nottinghamshire Lieutenancy and civic representatives across the county. It was a pleasure to welcome a range of distinguished guests to the Nottingham Gang Show, all of whom left inspired by the talent on display and the life-changing opportunities Scouting provides.
We were especially honoured to host the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Veronica Pickering, and the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Nick Rubins. Experiencing her first Gang Show, Veronica Pickering shared:
“This is my first Gang Show, and I’ve just been blown away by the artistry, creativity, choreography and actually the bravery of so many young people to be on the stage and performing in a live theatre for the first time in their lives. I’ve enjoyed every moment.”
We were also delighted to be joined by civic leaders, sponsors and supporters whose encouragement and generosity help make such events possible.
In June, the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff, Ed Attenborough, hosted 125 volunteers at our first-ever Thank-You Garden Party, a special occasion to recognise outstanding dedication and service. Addressing award recipients, Veronica Pickering remarked:
“The Scouts is helping young people with skills for life at such a crucial point in their development, and the earlier we can support people in sections like Squirrels, the better society we have. Thank you to the awardees and supporters for everything you do to help young people in Nottinghamshire.”
We were also proud to be represented by young people and volunteers at the King’s Birthday Service in June, a moment of celebration and recognition at a national level.
In July, as part of The BIG Hideout, we connected with Ray Howard, known to many as “The Chief” from Hunted. Ray recorded a special message for participants and helped promote the event on social media, warning Explorers that they “can run, but you can’t hide!” His support added an extra layer of excitement and authenticity to our new event.
September brought another fantastic partnership opportunity, as more than 2,000 members laced up their skates to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Ice Centre. Working in collaboration with the venue, we were able to provide thousands of young people with a free adventurous activity session, a brilliant example of community partnership in action.
Through strengthened civic relationships, high-profile engagement and collaborative partnerships, our Perception Team continues to amplify the impact of Scouting across Nottinghamshire, ensuring our story is seen, heard and celebrated.
We are hugely grateful for the dedication Bronya Vardy brings as our Office Administrator. Combining professionalism, warmth, and outstanding organisation, she has become a vital part of our team, streamlining processes, boosting efficiency, and supporting volunteers across the county.
The County Office is central to our success, and Bronya’s behind-the-scenes impact is immense. From managing membership enquiries and assisting charity shop volunteers to providing essential administrative support to the wider County Team, she ensures our daily operations run smoothly. A huge thank you to Bronya for all her hard work in 2025.
The Bog Squad is one of our unsung hero teams, providing a crucial role in the smooth running of our events. Often working out of sight, they dedicate themselves to maintaining the health and wellbeing of all participants by keeping toilet and shower facilities clean and hygienic, and ensuring rubbish is safely collected and disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.
Their commitment and effort are invaluable, and our large-scale events simply couldn’t happen without them. A huge thank you to The Bog Squad for all the incredible work they do!
The Nottinghamshire Emergency Scout Support Team (NESST) enjoyed another outstanding year, continuing to provide a crucial role in ensuring the safe and smooth running of major Scouting events across the county.
A standout moment of the year was the hugely popular Challenge Hike at Walesby Forest, which welcomed over 1,500 young people. The event truly challenges teamwork, resilience, and navigation skills!
The team also supported our new event, The BIG Hideout, taking on the role of Hunter teams and applying their Search and Rescue expertise in a fun and creative way. Their skill and commitment helped make the event a resounding success!
We are immensely thankful to the NESST volunteers, whose time and knowledge they share so generously – they remain an invaluable part of the Nottinghamshire Scouts family.
The Nottinghamshire Scout Charity Shop is essential in supporting Scouting throughout the county, offering a key source of funding. Situated in the heart of Sherwood, the shop is managed by a team of committed volunteers who dedicate their time to sorting, displaying, and selling donated items. The money raised from sales is invested directly into Scout projects and adult learning initiatives in Nottinghamshire.
The charity shop is not only a centre for fundraising but also an important point of connection for the local community. Its role in promoting awareness of Scouting locally is equally valuable, giving the public an opportunity to discover more about our work and the positive influence Scouting has on young people. Following another outstanding year, we express our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers whose efforts make the charity shop such a remarkable success.
