I’m inviting you to lend a hand at 224 North London Scouts.
If you have an hour, we have a role.
If you want to grow your skills, we’ll help you do it.
If you care about local young people, you’re in the right place.

You don’t need to have been a Scout.
You don’t need a special kit.
You need to care and show up.

Ready to see where you fit?

Why your time matters right now

Scouting changes lives. Yours included.

When you volunteer, you help young people try new things, make friends, and gain confidence. In return, you’ll feel more connected to your community and pick up practical skills you can use at work and at home. Volunteering is flexible and tailored to your schedule. Scouts happen when lots of us give a little. (Barnet Scouts)

Across London, teams match roles to the time you can give. Even one hour a month makes a real difference, and we make that hour enjoyable and meaningful for you.

What “224 North London Scouts” looks like in practice

At 224, we run sessions for Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts in Highgate, North London, and welcome adults from all backgrounds. You can help on a weekly, monthly, or event basis. Think practical evenings, local hikes, weekend activities, and the simple magic of giving a young person your attention.

Curious but unsure where to start? We keep a simple “get involved” page with clear steps and ways to help. You choose a task, we help you find your feet.

Roles that fit your life

Not everyone wants to run a whole night. That’s fine.
Here are fundamental roles that work around busy lives.

  • Occasional helper for section nights
  • Badge support and record-keeping
  • Trip driver or quartermaster for kit
  • Parent rota on set dates, for example, the first Tuesday of the month
  • Skills guest for a single evening, like bike checks or first aid
  • Trustee, fundraiser, or behind-the-scenes admin
  • Weekly shopper to pick up snacks, craft supplies, and any kit needed for the meeting
  • Quartermaster organiser to keep our kit tidy and ready for the next adventure. Create and update a simple inventory with quantities and conditions.
  • Once-a-term office organiser to sort weekly supplies, label cupboards, and note what needs replacing

In East London, volunteers dip in through university links and short stints, then pick up more when life allows. The same mix works for us, too.

If you prefer a light touch, you can still make a difference. Small jobs make a difference. Five adults sharing a task is more effective than one person doing everything.

Volunteering is good for you.

People often join to “give back” and discover they get a lot in return.

You may notice:

  • Better wellbeing from doing something purposeful
  • New friends and local connections
  • Fresh skills that transfer into work and family life
  • That warm feeling when a shy young person tries something new

Barnet Scouts put it plainly. Volunteering improves wellbeing and equips you with skills for the future. It is fun and flexible too. (Barnet Scouts)

How does this help your CV

Volunteering builds your CV in simple, credible ways.
You’ll practise teamwork, planning, communication, and problem-solving. You’ll also gain leadership experiences you can point to in interviews. When national roles are advertised, they clearly state this and welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. You get recognition and real responsibility if you want it. (scouts.org.uk)

Practical ways to capture it:

  • Keep a short log of sessions and events you helped with
  • Ask a Team Leader for a reference when you need one
  • Add “Scouts adult volunteer” sections to LinkedIn and your CV
  • Mention badges or projects you supported, with outcomes

If you are early in your career, “volunteer and CV” is a strong pair. Hiring managers like evidence of initiative and reliability.

What support do you get at 224

We look after our volunteers so you can focus on caring for the young people.

  • A friendly welcome conversation
  • A buddy to answer questions and share tips
  • Clear safety and safeguarding learning, bite-sized and online
  • Practical guidance cards you can keep in your pocket
  • Growing Roots learning in your first months, then optional modules later

This is standard across UK Scouts and helps you feel confident and safe.

Money should never be a barrier. You can claim agreed expenses for Scouts-related costs, so you are not out of pocket.

Safeguarding and checks made simple

Keeping young people safe comes first.
You’ll complete basic Safety and Safeguarding learning in your first 30 days. You’ll also complete a criminal record check and simple declarations. Your team will help you through each step. You’ll be provided with guidance on the Yellow Card and Purple Card, ensuring you always know what to do and who to contact.

The timelines are clear. Your Team Leader checks in, and you can go at a pace that works for you.

How flexible timing works

Life is busy. We get it.
That’s why we welcome set patterns, such as helping on the first Friday of the month or a run of two dates each half-term. Predictable help makes planning easier and builds a strong team your child can rely on. It also means we maintain safe ratios on nights with higher risk, such as night hikes or firelighting.

Could you offer one evening a month? Could you drive the kit to a camp once a term? Would you be happy to run a simple game while leaders set up an activity?

224 North London Air Scouts, and you

We have an aviation flavour and love practical skills.
That might be model making, map reading, STEM nights, or a visit to an airfield. Young people remember these moments for years. There is a place for you, whether you prefer hands-on, planning, or gentle support on the side.

If you search for us on the national group finder, you will find our sections and meeting times listed. Please get in touch, and we can match your availability with our schedule. (scouts.org.uk)

Real examples from our week

  • A parent who cannot commit to running a weekly craft table agrees to run a simple craft table once a month. That frees a leader to supervise fire-lighting outdoors.
  • A local cyclist stops by for 30 minutes to demonstrate basic bike checks before a park ride.
  • A parent on the shopping rota collects ingredients for cooking night and grabs spare glue sticks for craft so that leaders can set up activities on time.
  • A university student joins us for a term, helps at camp, and gains valuable experience to add to their CV. East London has run that model for years with great success, which we mirror locally.
  • A new quartermaster spends 45 minutes after a meeting checking tents, refilling gas canisters, and noting worn guy lines for replacement.
  • A parent runs a quick office tidy once a term. They restock badges, label storage boxes, and create a shopping list so leaders can quickly find everything.

First steps if you are new

  • Tell us you are interested. We will have a friendly discussion about the time and task.s
  • Try a taster night. See what it’s like and meet the team
  • Do your quick online learning and checks
  • Choose a simple first task and get stuck in
  • Shadow a leader for one night to see where the kit lives and how we pack for trips.
  • Set up a simple inventory in a shared doc. Include item name, quantity, condition, and notes for repair or replacement.

You can also read volunteer pages in neighbouring areas to get a feel for the variety of roles and how flexible it can be. The message is the same across London. We match roles to your life, making it enjoyable.

FAQ

Do I need to have been a Scout before
No. Many of our best helpers are new to the role. We show you everything you need. (scouts.org.uk)

What if I can only help once a month
Perfect. Set nights like the first Friday of the month help us plan. Predictable help keeps safe ratios and eases pressure on busy weeks.

Will I have to wear a uniform?
Uniform is optional for adult volunteers. Some wear it, many do not. If you choose to, your scarf shows you are part of the team. We will also provide a group polo and hoodie.

Is there an upper age limit
No. As long as you are 18 or older, you can help. Young people aged 14 to 17 can volunteer as Young Leaders.

What about costs
Volunteers should not incur any expenses. Agreed expenses are claimable in line with local policy.

How long do the checks take
You will begin your basic learning within your first 30 days and complete simple steps, such as your criminal record check and declarations. We will guide you through.

Conclusion

224 North London Scouts is a friendly place to give a little time and see a significant result.
You will help young people grow in confidence and try new things. You will also build your own skills, from planning to leadership. If you’re looking for something light and social, consider an occasional helper role. If you’re looking for a step up, we can offer more. Volunteering is beneficial for both you and your community. It fits around work, family and every other part of life.

If you are ready to talk, drop us a message and try a taster night.
If you are still thinking, pick one small job and see how it feels.
Small jobs make a difference. Your hour could be the highlight of someone’s week.

If you are near N6, N2, or N10 and want to help with North London Air Scouts, we would love to hear from you. Volunteering is beneficial for you, enhances your CV, and is excellent for our young people.