Founded back in October 1928, 1st Cheam Scouts has welcomed an estimated 2,000 children and young people. But now the club faces possible closure, just before their 100th anniversary.
Their current Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have a total of 80 boys and girls and have 55 children on the waiting list ready to join.
“There’s a steady flow of inquiries from people wanting to join, which is absolutely brilliant and great to see, demand is higher than it’s ever been. But we simply cannot get enough adult volunteers. And right now we’re in danger of losing our cub pack.”
Jonathan Long: Group Administrator
Jonathan Long has been a part of 1st Cheam Scouts since the 1960’s. First joining as a Cub, he then started helping out at the age of seventeen and has been a volunteer and leader for the past 50 years.
“I’ve had immense enjoyment through scouting in my 50 years as a leader and obviously as a child. It’s where I made some of my best friends in my life.”
“My favourite memory of being in the scouts and as a leader, have been the week long canal cruising trips. My first trip was in 1967 and I ran my last one in about 2021.Them trips are probably my most memorable but there are so many more.”
“I learned to sail with the Scouts and still sail, I’ve done nearly 4000 miles sailing as my regular holidays. I even met my wife on a sailing holiday.”
1st Cheam Scout Leader – Jonathan Long
London’s Volunteer Shortage:
Simon Carter from National Scouts told City News:
“Yes, we do need more adults. Demand is higher than ever across the whole of the UK. Actually, the number of adult volunteers in Greater South London is the highest it has been since 2020, but we still need more! There are 1000 children wanting to join.”
Meanwhile, Chris Wright, County Lead Volunteer for Greater South West London, said:
“We are trying to build a much bigger county team to help local groups that are struggling with volunteer shortage, it’s something we are working on.”
Scouts Climbing Adventure
The Volunteer Voyage:
Jonathan is the driving force of 1st Cheam’s recruitment mission:
“I’ve had to deal with this a number of times in the last 20 years or so. It’s not my first time around this circle. This isn’t a new problem, unfortunately.”
After Jonathan stepped down as a group Scout Leader 10 years ago, 1st Cheam has not been able to find a replacement.
“We’ve obviously requested support from the southern districts but they have got another six groups in the same situation.
“We are not unique in this problem”
At 1st Cheam Scouts, there are currently eleven appointed volunteers overseeing three sections, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, with nine supporting the active programmes.
However, the group is still in need of additional support, hoping for at least five more volunteers in order to be able to operate the 1st Cheam effectively.
1st Cheam: Beavers, Cubs and Scouts
The greater London branch has enough demand to open a Squirrel Tray which could accommodate children from ages 4 to 6 years old.
“We have got enough space to accommodate it. But we have no volunteers to run these things and that’s common across London’s Southern district.”
How will Jonathan do it?
To start with, Jonathan says he has contacted around 90 former members so far, although many have since moved away. He is now working through a wider list of approximately 700 former members from the past 15 years in an effort to recruit more volunteers.
The Scout groups poster programme is kicking off next week, which has been produced, free of charge by a former 1st Cheam Scout.
“We’re going to ask if we can put them in libraries, schools, doctor surgeries etcetera. Anywhere we can!”
“We were in this position about 15 years ago and we lost a cup pack. That was a pack of 24 young people who lost their Monday evening meetings and had to leave the group”
Cubs Camping Trips
When is Crunch Time?
The coming months will be decisive for 1st Cheam, with one of its two Cub leaders due to step down in the summer, leaving just nine appointed adult leaders able to run weekly meetings.
“By the summer, when one of the two Cub leaders steps away, we’ll have to take a real hard call at that stage.”
Jonathan added that while volunteers from other sections may help, this would not be a sustainable long-term solution.
“1st Cheam is a key part of the social infrastructure in Cheam Village. It gives young people in our community opportunities they otherwise cannot get.”
1st Cheam Cubs
The group teaches children skills for life, helping them develop self-reliance, teamwork and problem-solving, all while enjoying themselves. From an adult perspective, Jonathan said, seeing that progress is “immensely satisfying.”
So far no one has contacted Jonathan for more information on any volunteer opportunities.
HeadlineNearly 100 years old, Greater South London Scout Group faces possible closure.
Short HeadlineThe 1st Cheam Scouts is facing possible closure.
StandfirstAdult volunteer shortages means another Cub pack could be lost by the summer, with more to follow.
Founded back in October 1928, 1st Cheam Scouts has welcomed an estimated 2,000 children and young people. But now the club faces possible closure, just before their 100th anniversary.
Their current Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have a total of 80 boys and girls and have 55 children on the waiting list ready to join.
“There’s a steady flow of inquiries from people wanting to join, which is absolutely brilliant and great to see, demand is higher than it’s ever been. But we simply cannot get enough adult volunteers. And right now we’re in danger of losing our cub pack.”
Jonathan Long: Group Administrator
Jonathan Long has been a part of 1st Cheam Scouts since the 1960’s. First joining as a Cub, he then started helping out at the age of seventeen and has been a volunteer and leader for the past 50 years.
“I’ve had immense enjoyment through scouting in my 50 years as a leader and obviously as a child. It’s where I made some of my best friends in my life.”
“My favourite memory of being in the scouts and as a leader, have been the week long canal cruising trips. My first trip was in 1967 and I ran my last one in about 2021.Them trips are probably my most memorable but there are so many more.”
“I learned to sail with the Scouts and still sail, I’ve done nearly 4000 miles sailing as my regular holidays. I even met my wife on a sailing holiday.”
1st Cheam Scout Leader – Jonathan Long
London’s Volunteer Shortage:
Simon Carter from National Scouts told City News:
“Yes, we do need more adults. Demand is higher than ever across the whole of the UK. Actually, the number of adult volunteers in Greater South London is the highest it has been since 2020, but we still need more! There are 1000 children wanting to join.”
Meanwhile, Chris Wright, County Lead Volunteer for Greater South West London, said:
“We are trying to build a much bigger county team to help local groups that are struggling with volunteer shortage, it’s something we are working on.”
Scouts Climbing Adventure
The Volunteer Voyage:
Jonathan is the driving force of 1st Cheam’s recruitment mission:
“I’ve had to deal with this a number of times in the last 20 years or so. It’s not my first time around this circle. This isn’t a new problem, unfortunately.”
After Jonathan stepped down as a group Scout Leader 10 years ago, 1st Cheam has not been able to find a replacement.
“We’ve obviously requested support from the southern districts but they have got another six groups in the same situation.
“We are not unique in this problem”
At 1st Cheam Scouts, there are currently eleven appointed volunteers overseeing three sections, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, with nine supporting the active programmes.
However, the group is still in need of additional support, hoping for at least five more volunteers in order to be able to operate the 1st Cheam effectively.
1st Cheam: Beavers, Cubs and Scouts
The greater London branch has enough demand to open a Squirrel Tray which could accommodate children from ages 4 to 6 years old.
“We have got enough space to accommodate it. But we have no volunteers to run these things and that’s common across London’s Southern district.”
How will Jonathan do it?
To start with, Jonathan says he has contacted around 90 former members so far, although many have since moved away. He is now working through a wider list of approximately 700 former members from the past 15 years in an effort to recruit more volunteers.
The Scout groups poster programme is kicking off next week, which has been produced, free of charge by a former 1st Cheam Scout.
“We’re going to ask if we can put them in libraries, schools, doctor surgeries etcetera. Anywhere we can!”
“We were in this position about 15 years ago and we lost a cup pack. That was a pack of 24 young people who lost their Monday evening meetings and had to leave the group”
Cubs Camping Trips
When is Crunch Time?
The coming months will be decisive for 1st Cheam, with one of its two Cub leaders due to step down in the summer, leaving just nine appointed adult leaders able to run weekly meetings.
“By the summer, when one of the two Cub leaders steps away, we’ll have to take a real hard call at that stage.”
Jonathan added that while volunteers from other sections may help, this would not be a sustainable long-term solution.
“1st Cheam is a key part of the social infrastructure in Cheam Village. It gives young people in our community opportunities they otherwise cannot get.”
1st Cheam Cubs
The group teaches children skills for life, helping them develop self-reliance, teamwork and problem-solving, all while enjoying themselves. From an adult perspective, Jonathan said, seeing that progress is “immensely satisfying.”
So far no one has contacted Jonathan for more information on any volunteer opportunities.
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