Spring 2025 - Roll of Honour

Overview

Nottinghamshire Scouts are proud to recognise the dedication of their volunteers with the Spring Awards Roll of Honour. Between January and April, across Nottinghamshire 115 Good Service or Length of Service awards were presented across the county, celebrating the ongoing commitment of individuals who help deliver fantastic Scouting experiences. These totalled over 1,600 years of service to Scouting with one volunteer having completed an amazing 60 years service.

These awards honour the time, energy, and passion volunteers bring to supporting young people and their communities. Each milestone reflects years of service that make a real difference. Congratulations and thank you to all the award recipients during the spring term!

Download Roll of Honour

Ashfield

Wood Badge

Jordan White (M&S)
Nathan Wildbore (Section)

Long Service

Shelley Camm (15 years)
Rachel Fortescue (10 years)
Justin Atkin (5 years)
Susan Rawlings (5 years)
Gareth Hewer (5 years)
Sam Johns (5 years)
Mark Hanman (5 years)
Graham Allen (5 years)
Tristan Thompson (5 years)
Connor Morley (5 years)
Christopher Wagstaff (5 years)

Bassetlaw

Long Service

Richard Smith (60 years)
Don Beck (50 years)
Kenny Newstead (25 years)
Anna Scott (10 years)

Beauvale

Wood Badge

Nigel Owen (Section)

Long Service

Charlotte Flowerdew (15 years)
Amy Langham (5 years)

Central Notts

Wood Badge

Matthew Biddulph (Section)
Nicola Gray (Section)

Long Service

Christopher Bennett (40 years)
Monica Sulley (30 years)
Fran Ball (30 years)
Richard Alton (30 years)
Maria Ahmet (25 years)
Sue Coward (20 years)
Michael Rawson (15 years)
Deirdre Bashton (15 years)
Patricia Adams (10 years)
Marianne Sharlotte (10 years)
Stephen Robinson (10 years)
Jim Simpson (10 years)
Elise Adam (10 years)
Hollie Miles (10 years)
Jonathan Mosley (10 years)
Matthew Biddulph (10 years)
Kieran Sawford (5 years)
David Oswald (5 years)
Jonathan Wilson (5 years)
Stu Parker (5 years)
Adam Lester (5 years)
Martin Tomlinson (5 years)

City of Nottingham

Long Service

Phil Trett (50 years)
Andy Burton (40 years)
Pete Hill (30 years)
David Sherwood (15 years)
Matthew Chadburn (5 years)
Daniel Robinson-Smith (5 years)
David Le Blancq (5 years)

Mansfield

Wood Badge

Sarah Bond (Section)

Long Service

Neil Hallam (25 years)
Dave Poxon (20 years)
Kelly Wyllie (15 years)
Sharon May (15 years)
Emma Baguley (15 years)
Jade Clarke (10 years)
Rebekah Thompson (10 years)
Sonia Ingram (10 years)
Robert Stanislawski (10 years)
Alec Dubberley (5 years)
Roger Ambler (5 years)
Emma Barnaby (5 years)
John Curtis (5 years)
Amanda Fletcher (5 years)
Matthew Bond (5 years)
Samuel Scott-Hibbert (5 years)
Joshua Scott-Hibbert (5 years)
Norrie Youd (5 years)
David Brailsford (5 years)

Newark and District

Good Service

Fiona Burrows (Award for Merit)

Long Service

Geoff Bow (25 years)
Richard Sayers (25 years)
John Nicholson (15 years)
Elizabeth Burton-Wareing (10 years)
Charlotte Savill (5 years)

Rushcliffe

Good Service

Clare Deeming (Silver Acorn)
Andrew Cooney (Award for Merit)

Wood Badge

Jonathan Ainsley (Section)

Long Service

John Green (50 years)
Alan Hubber (50 years)
Kathryn Wykes (40 years)
Geoff Briggs (30 years)
Paul Clarkson (30 years)
Leigh Woodward (20 years)
Mike Plimmer (15 years)
Ben Marson (15 years)
Helena Dennis (15 years)
Neill Clingan (15 years)
Claire Pink (10 years)
Shirley Harding (5 years)
Warren Cross (5 years)
Becky Phillips (5 years)
Mhairi Pole (5 years)
William Cullen (5 years)
Mike Park (5 years)
Fraser Cullen (5 years)
Elissa Hawksworth (5 years)
Craig Glover (5 years)

South West Notts

Wood Badge

Christina Wright (Section)

Long Service

Chris Phillips (40 years)
Colyn Kemp (30 years)
Philip McCullough (25 years)
Bruce Coldwell (20 years)
Shaun Dannheimer (20 years)
Paul Dunn (15 years)
Paul Jordan (15 years)
Andrew Gardner (15 years)
Katharina Meyer-Ohle (15 years)
Chris Kingsnorth (10 years)
Gabrielle Lynch (10 years)
Taz Donnelly (10 years)
Emma Macleod (5 years)
Abigail Mcfarlane (5 years)
Paul Newson (5 years)
Simon Duke (5 years)
Tamsin Wills (5 years)
Robin Longstaff (5 years)

Nottinghamshire

Long Service

Chris Blockley (20 years)
Christine Sheard (20 years)
Sean Kelly (15 years)
Caroline Crew (5 years)

Claiming Expenses

Using the Expenses App - Envoice

You must have received an invitation (if not, ask your team leader to request one for you)

Download the Envoice – Bills & Expenses App from your App Store

Open the App and sign in (if you have a @notts-scouts.org uk email, you can use your Microsoft credentials)

Choose Nottinghamshire County Scouts as the company

Start preparing your expenses from a receipt

The aim is to compile your expenses as you incur them, rather than waiting until the end of the month

Click the + green button

Select Expense

This will open your camera

Take a picture of the receipt or select a receipt file from your devise

Categorize the receipt

Click on the category down arrow and select one of the categories – you should find your team listed.

These are listed in the right pane

Use the comment field to input either the budget line or description of the expense

Click on Add this expense to a report (top right of screen)

Add or Create an Expense Report

Select Expense Report as the type

If you already have report(s) that have not been submitted you select the required report

Otherwise select New report

Note you can only have receipts and mileage on an expense form for a single team – location. If you have receipts/ milage for another team(s) then you must create another report for each team.

Make the report date the end of the month

Reimbursement method is always Bank Transfer

Input bank account name, sort code and account number in the Bank Account number field – this is where the expenses will be paid too

Click on Next (top right of screen)

Finishing Off

Check the information is correct

Check Reimbursable flag is on

Add further comment if required

Select Save (top right of screen)

The Expense Report is saved and is available to be added too by adding more receipts or mileage

Adding Mileage to an Expense Form

Go to the Reports tab

Open the required Expense Report

Click on Add Expense

Adding Mileage to an Expense Form cont...

Select Distance

Select Vehicle

On first use add new vehicle

Vehicle registration no

Change the unit to mi (miles)

If appropriate set as primary vehicle

Select Save

Enter journey distance (miles)

Leave Type as Business

Enter journey details in Comment

Select Save

Continue Adding Receipts or Mileage to your Expenses

Remember you need a separate expense form for each Location (Team)

At the end of each month you need to submit your open expenses – simply select Submit Report.

If you submit a report in error, click reopen the expense report and select Recall Report

Adding Supplier Invoice that needs Paying

Go to the Bills tab

Select Bill

Add the invoice by selecting file or taking picture of invoice

Ensure the Reimbursement Flag is off

Save and the invoice is automatically submitted

What Happens Following Submission

The Expense Report is reviewed by Finance
They are checking for errors
If they find an error they will return the Report to you to correct
If all ok, the report goes to your team leader for approval
Following final approval the expense report is automatically added to the finance system (QuickBooks)
The expenses are paid the following week

Why we’re changing Learning

We want all our volunteers to have the skills and knowledge they need to feel confident to help keep young people safe and help them gain skills for life.

As part of the Transformation System go live on 28^th November you’ll have access to the new Learning Tree rather than the Adult Training Scheme. Going forward into 2025 and beyond, we'll be organising learning at Scouts in what we call the Learning Tree. This will be rolled out over the coming months. It'll be made up of Growing Roots, learning that's personalised to you as a volunteer, and Branching Out, the learning you can access to further develop your skills and knowledge (and achieve a wood badge).

Access to this learning and progress tracking will be available within the new Membership System. For any learning which requires assessment follow these handy steps on how to send it for Assessment, here, where one of our Learning Assessor Community will be on hand to check it off.

2025 Learning Calendar

Nottinghamshire Scouts are excited to launch the 2025 learning calendar, packed with training sessions to support and empower adult volunteers. The calendar currently offers essential learning for First Response with Nights Away and Mental Health First Aid courses coming soon. The calendar offers 3 to 6 months forward view of learning opportunities. With a mix of online and in-person options across Nottinghamshire, volunteers can choose flexible training to suit their needs and schedules.

This year’s lineup aims to enhance skills, confidence, and connection among volunteers, creating a stronger, more supportive Scouting community. Visit the Nottinghamshire Scouts Training website (https://training.notts-scouts.org.uk/calendar) to view the calendar and book your place! If you’d like to see a course then register your interest too.

County Oak Awards

On 27th October, Nottinghamshire Scouts held their annual Oak Awards Recognition event, honouring over 20 volunteers and groups for their exceptional service to the scouting community. The event highlights the dedication of individuals who have played a key role in delivering essential life skills to young people across the county.

Jordan Phillips, County Lead Volunteer, praised the efforts of the volunteers, stating, "The event brings together volunteers across Nottinghamshire Scouts to recognise their contributions to deliver skills for life. It's amazing to see so many people recognised." His words reflected the pride and gratitude felt by the all those that attended.

The Oak Awards celebrate volunteers from various roles, including group leaders, section helpers, and behind-the-scenes supporters, all of whom contribute to the success of the scouting movement. Their work empowers young people to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills, preparing them for future challenges.

This year’s recipients represented the diversity and commitment of Nottinghamshire Scouts, with each awardee receiving recognition for their unique contributions. The event was filled with applause, appreciation, and a strong sense of community.

The Oak Awards serve as a reminder of the vital role volunteers play in shaping the lives of young people. In his closing words Jordan went on to say “Never underestimate the massive positive impact your volunteering has on young peoples lives, keep being brilliant”. Through the tireless efforts of many, these individuals help ensure that Scouting continues to thrive, offering invaluable experiences to the next generation.

Shaping the Future of Scouting

In an exciting move to gather invaluable feedback, Nottinghamshire Scouts has launched the 2025 Volunteer Experience Survey. Open until Christmas Eve (24th December), it is a unique opportunity for adult volunteers to have a direct influence on the future direction of Scouting. Designed to assess how the needs of volunteers can best be met, the survey invites honest feedback in areas crucial to volunteer satisfaction and development.

Start giving your feedback today, https://forms.office.com/e/4QwN3MhTRn

Understanding Volunteer Needs Across Key Areas

The 2025 survey is structured to gain insights into several key areas that affect volunteers’ experiences and engagement, including:

Development & Learning: Identifying opportunities and resources that volunteers need for skill-building and personal growth.
Recognition: Ensuring that contributions are celebrated and appreciated, and that volunteers feel valued for their dedication.
Programme & Events: Assessing the quality and effectiveness of current programs and events, and gathering ideas to enhance future offerings.
Welcome & Recruitment: Exploring effective recruitment strategies to bring in new volunteers and strengthen teams across Nottinghamshire.

By focusing on these areas, Nottinghamshire Scouts aims to create a more supportive, enriching environment where volunteers feel encouraged and empowered.

Your Voice Shapes the Future of Scouting

The insights gathered will support Summit25, the national meeting where Scouts volunteers from all over the UK will come together to help shape the next UK Scouting strategy. This is a chance for local voices to be heard, providing an open forum for Nottinghamshire’s volunteers to express what matters most to them. With Summit25 on the horizon, feedback from this survey will be critical in identifying trends, addressing concerns, and planning impactful changes that will support the next generation of Scouts.

How to Take Part

Participation is easy and open to all adult volunteers in Nottinghamshire Scouts. By setting aside a few minutes to complete the survey, volunteers can actively contribute to building a brighter, more inclusive, and sustainable future for Scouting. The survey is not only an opportunity to give feedback but also a way to make sure Nottinghamshire’s voice is represented in the future of Scouting in the UK.

Transformation Update

You will have received an email from Headquarters with the dates for the launch of the new Digital Tool. The Nottinghamshire Transformation Team would like to share what we are doing in the County and how the ‘Go Live’ will affect you.

What are the dates for launch?

In Nottinghamshire the new system will be launched on 28th November (‘Go Live Date’) In order to transfer data across (personal details, training records and permits) Compass will ‘freeze’ from 7th November.

Compass Data Freeze

From 7th November Compass will ‘freeze’ and data cannot be changed or accessed – you will not be able to add any new members, change roles or update training or DBS. A spreadsheet of key information (password protected) will be sent from HQ to all District Lead Volunteers to still allow for essential work e.g. approving NAN forms.

For DBS’s that expire during November and December we are asking you to complete them early, a full list will be available if you are affected.

What is being replaced?

The new Digital System is replacing ‘Compass’ which is the adult database.

The new database will be the location for the following:

Adult personal details

Adult training (Learning) records

Adding new adults and requesting new DBS applications (Atlantic data will remain for the DBS application).

Nights Away Notification (NAN) forms

Activity permits

From the launch of the new database all essential learning e.g. safety and safeguarding will be carried out on the new system, which will update records automatically.

What is not being changing?

Online Scout Manager (OSM) and young people data is not affected in any way.

Atlantic data will remain for DBS processing

How do I log into the new system?

Around 2 weeks before ‘Go Live date’ every member will get a personalised email with the login details for the new system. The login will be via the Scouts.org.uk website.

What happens to Compass?

All data from Compass will migrate across to the new system. Compass will be accessible to HQ staff after Go Live date to correct any errors or omissions.

What do I need to do?

Very little as most of the work is happening in the background.

Please ensure that you have a valid, accessible email address on Compass or ‘no email’ selected. 1 member, 1 email.

What about my training record

What you need to do for your role will be changing as we move from training to learning. The learning you need for your role will be on the new digital system with it automatically recorded when completed.

For all leaders with a wood badge it will transfer to the new digital system and ongoing mandatory learning will be on the new digital system

Only training that is validated (signed off by a training adviser) will be recorded on the new membership system

For leaders without a wood badge for their role and to avoid having to do learning in the 5 months after ‘go live’ you need the following validated

Getting started ( modules 1,2,3, safety, safeguarding, GDPR)

Scouting for all ( Module 7)

Delivering a quality programme ( Module 12a)

For section and group assistants you will become members of the group or section leadership team and as such will be required to complete the learning for all members as above.

What support is the available for the ‘Go Live’?:

Headquarters will be running a series of online familiarisation sessions of the new database which will be run during go live week and beyond. These will be during the day and evenings. Dates are available and were in the national e-mail

Nottinghamshire have a team to support the ‘Go Live’ process who will support all members who have queries or need support to access the system. We are also planning to run a series of road shows across the county to support members to familiarise themselves with the system.

There will be a dedicated ticket system set up for any questions

You can look at the videos of the new system and its functionality online Digital System Demo (with sound) on Vimeo

Best wishes,

Nottinghamshire Transformation Team.

Running Safe Nights Away Experiences - Webinar

Success in Ruddington

Three of our fantastic members from 1st Ruddington have recently won awards at the Rudd Awards. This event showcases those who have gone the extra mile in the local community in Ruddington.

Dan Clifford won in the Champion Volunteer category, joint with Sally Bears (a local Guide leader). Dan has poured hours of his time into Scouting over the years, supporting the 140 young people in his group through adventurous activities such as canoeing and camping.

Dan said “When I found out I had been nominated, I was really taken aback. It’s really nice to be recognised for the things we do, not that that’s the reason anybody would do them. There’s a big team of us, not just me”.

Young Leaders Ottollie & Emmeline Jones also jointly received a Rudd Award, this time in the Young Star award. This amazing pair are twin sisters that volunteer in the Beaver section, and have helped young people develop skills and confidence through the group — just as they did when they were younger!

The pair said “We grew up going to Parkrun, Cubs and Scouts. It was something we looked forward to each week, and so we hope that it’s doing the same thing for the kids that come to Beavers”.

“We’ve been from Beavers all the way through to Explorers, and we know that it’s such a great group, so it’s really nice to provide the support that our leaders did.”

You can view the award video featuring Dan here, and the award video featuring Ottillie & Emmeline here.