Week by week, our volunteers empower almost 150 young people in Onchan to learn new skills, make new friends and stand on their own two feet. They’re our everyday heroes. They shape young people’s lives for the better, and find out a whole lot about themselves in the process, too.

Today, there are lots of young people on our waiting list wanting to join 2nd Onchan. We’re more relevant and more needed than ever, but it’s not always easy to keep up with the demand.

That’s where you come in.

You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to join us. You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent.  Our door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and we’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand. We’re talking about tea makers, tidy-uppers and skill sharers. We’re talking about mini bus drivers and first aiders. We’re talking about students who want to boost their CV, and parents who volunteer so they can spend more time together as a family and give something back to the community.

Whatever your skillset, lend a hand for as little or as much time as you can spare, and we promise you’ll get more out than you put in.  Because whether you’re helping a leader to run an activity, organising a night away, or buttering slices of bread a group of very hungry eleven year olds – no two Scout meetings are the same. The difference you make, though, is always great.

Not interested in volunteering directly with our young people? That’s fine! We need help with organising events, fundraising, admin and running our Scout Hall as well as many other things. Anything you can do to help will be truly appreciated.

We provide the training. You show up, get stuck in, and make memories for life.

Sounds fun? Worthwhile? It is.

FAQS

Do I really have the skills you need?

You don’t have to be an adventurer like Bear Grylls to get involved with Scouting. Do you have first aid knowledge? Are you good with numbers? Handy in the kitchen? Or are you a DIY whizz? We all have useful skills and you can volunteer and help in many ways

What if I don’t have that much spare time?

Volunteering with us is easy, fun and flexible – how much time you give is completely up to you. Whether you help out once a fortnight, month or term or just at special events or camps, there is bound to be a role you can play, and no matter how you get involved, we’ll make sure you’re properly trained and supported.

What will I get out of volunteering?

As well as gaining externally recognised skills and having a brilliant time, Scouting also offers the chance to build on personal skills, like teamwork, confidence and leadership. A study found that over 90% of our volunteers believe that the skills and experiences they have gained through Scouting have been of relevance to their working or personal lives.

My child is in 2nd Onchan – is there anything I could do to help out?

The short answer is yes. Many of our helpers and leaders are parents of our youth members because they’ve seen first hand how Scouting benefits young people and want to give something back. It’s also a chance to spend more time with your children and learn new skills. Speak to your child’s leader to discuss how you might become involved.

Are there any age restrictions on helping out?

As long as you’re over 18, you can help out as an adult volunteer in Scouting. There is no upper age limit for adult volunteers. If you are aged between 14 to 18, there is the option of becoming a Young Leader.