Young people need your help now more than ever

Squirrels recently celebrated its first birthday and we couldn’t be more excited about its second year! A year after launching, our programme for early years children has already reached 11,000 young people. 

Squirrels has been vital in giving children the opportunity to get active, explore nature and have outdoor adventures with friends. It's provided a safe and positive environment for young children to develop while learning essential and practical skills for life.

The Squirrels programme was started with the core focus of supporting underserved communities, and giving the skills and experiences so many missed out on due to the pandemic.

Young people need Scouts more than ever. Our aim is to recruit a further 12,000 new volunteers and to make this happen we need your help. Squirrels is one! And your birthday gift will make all the difference.

Your gift will go a long way

• It can cost as little as £2.50 a week to send a young person to Scouts. For families struggling with the cost of living, even this can be too much for them.
   
• A donation of £25 could help a young Scout attend weekly sessions for a term, meeting inspiring leaders and friendly faces.
   
• A gift of £100 could pay for a Squirrel's membership for a year.
   
• Across the UK there are 24,000 4–6 year olds eager to join Scouts on the waiting list.

'I am so grateful to Squirrels'

Squirrels has already made a real difference in people’s lives. Marshall, a young member of a Squirrels Drey in Leeds, recently put his new-found skills to the test when his mum fell down the stairs and needed medical help.

Marshall's mum, Jacqui Osbourne, says: 'I had never thought about teaching Marshall first aid at such a young age. I am so grateful to Squirrels for teaching him these skills. When I fell, Marshall knew exactly what to do: he acted quickly and was very calm. Squirrels has taught him important skills and I’m very thankful to them.'

'Squirrels has helped Oscar massively'

Along with teaching practical life skills, the experience is also having a strong impact on children’s confidence levels. Four-year-old Oscar, from Liverpool, has selective mutism which affects his ability to verbally communicate. Squirrels has helped Oscar by providing him with a safe place to socialise with children his own age and boost his confidence.

Tom Diaz, Oscar's dad, says: 'Squirrels has helped Oscar massively. His Scout leader has been particularly helpful, working with us to understand some of his cues and how to manage his anxiety. It’s been a really good environment for him and has taken a lot of pressure off him. His favourite part is getting rewarded with new badges.'

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout

'I am extremely proud of the impact that Squirrels has had in such a short time and it’s incredible to see so many young people engaged and developing skills for life. But, we need to go further to achieve our commitment to help young people and families come back stronger from the pandemic.

'It’s so important that our young people get to enjoy positive and healthy experiences that so many missed out on – especially those in deprived areas. We now need the help of more adult volunteers so that children everywhere can experience the same life-changing opportunities.'