* Scouting membership in Staffordshire continues to grow, with 252 more members in the past year
* Scouting remains popular across the UK with nine years of sustained growth
* The number of adults volunteering to change young people’s lives grows by 52 in the past 2 years to a total of 1565
* Teenage membership grows from 653 to 766 between 2012 and 2014
Scouting numbers have increased in Staffordshire with more girls, boys and adults seeking out every day adventure. The total number of young people and adults who have joined Scouting has risen 3 per cent in the past year and membership figures have now reached 9476. Scouting continues to grow across the UK where there have been nine years of sustained growth.
Scouting provides an attractive adventure based programme for young people and adults, which changes their lives and their local communities for the better.
The increase in membership numbers locally reflects the latest census figures nationally which have just been published. This data provides evidence of sustained growth across the UK for the ninth consecutive year with a membership total of over 550,000. This has cemented Scouting as the largest co-educational youth Movement in the country.
The Scout Association, which seeks to transform the lives of young people by providing an inspiring programme of everyday adventure has confirmed its commitment to further increase the number of young members. It is launching a plan to recruit a further 58,000 more young people, as well as 18,000 more adult volunteers, by 2018. Over 200 activities, including adventure glider flights, skiing, rock climbing and water zorbing, are offered by Scouting around the UK, so it’s no surprise that more and more young people are joining the Movement.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls said:
“I am super proud to see so many young people and adults learning new life skills, achieving personal rewards through Scouting in Staffordshire. I am excited to see Scout numbers continue to rise across the UK and the big reasons for this are that more and more young people are realising that Scouting can give them so much – whether it’s the opportunity to be involved with some incredible adventures, learn practical life, outdoor and teamwork skills, or helping to improve their local communities. People don’t want to miss out and Scouting brings them all together, empowers them and allows them to make a positive impact.”
ABOUT THE ANNUAL CENSUS
Each year The Scout Association conducts an annual census of its membership. This is carried out across the UK and allows the Movement to identify trends and patterns of growth and development both locally and across the UK.
