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Scout volunteers worth £1.8 million to Luton economy

Date: 1st May 2017 Author: Gerald Law
Scouting in Luton now has the largest number of volunteers than we’ve had in our entire history! And they are worth a staggering £1.8 million to the local economy.

The annual Census figures are out and show us that there’s an incredible amount of volunteers in Scouting, but that with a sky-high waiting list for young people, we still need more.

Total membership in Luton today is 1,411 – up 4.9% from last year’s total of 1,345. “These are the best figures since the turn of the century and our fifteenth year of growth” says Falkes District Commissioner Mark Webb.

He added, “Luton Scouting now has a staggering 410 volunteers – the largest numbers of volunteers in our entire history! But to reduce our waiting lists we still need as many more volunteers as we can get our hands on.”

The town is divided into two Districts. Of these Icknield District has the most members with 214 adults and 521 young people. In Falkes District there are 196 adults and 480 young people. Both Districts have waiting lists.

On average Luton’s adult volunteers each devote around 50 days a year to supporting Scouting activities – a total of 164,000 hours, contributing £1.80 million to the local economy.

Scouts Chief Commissioner Tim Kidd says: ‘I’m calling on adults who want to make a difference to the lives of young people in their communities to give Scouting a go. We know that not having enough time is the main barrier to volunteering among adults, which is why we want to make it easier by offering flexibility in a range of roles from Scout group leaders to administrative and trustee positions.’

Put your phone down and what are you left with? Just teamwork, courage and the skills to succeed.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout Bear Grylls