MID Cheshire’s top Scout leader has put out a heartfelt appeal for more adult helpers as the demand for places soars.  

Young people wanting to get involved in Scouting has hit an 80-year high, and groups across Mid-Cheshire have an average of 10 children on their waiting list for every available place.

This means they have to run on a one in, one out basis, and the only solution to the problem is to attract more grown-up volunteers.

Stuart Young, Scouts district commissioner for Mid Cheshire, said there is a misconception volunteers need a background in Scouting, which is not the case at all.

He wants to spread the message there is a role to suit everyone, with no restrictions on how much or little time people are willing to give.

Stuart, who has been involved in Scouting 41 years, said: "If there's someone out there who can just give an hour a week and not think about it in between, I want to hear from them. 

“There’s a shortage of adult volunteers across Mid Cheshire. How we tackle that is the million pound question.

Northwich Guardian: Mathilda Jans and Tomas Dugard of St Wilfred's Scout Group, Northwich, after completing the 55th annual Cheshire Hike on April 1 and 2 Mathilda Jans and Tomas Dugard of St Wilfred's Scout Group, Northwich, after completing the 55th annual Cheshire Hike on April 1 and 2 (Image: Mid Cheshire Scouts)

“Scouting is an all-inclusive organisation. Your background, age, identity, and ability are not important.

“There’s a volunteer spot out there for everyone, whether that means coming down to make a cup of tea in a break, getting your adventurous activity permits, or passing your craft skills on to young people. There’s a role out there for everyone.

“Being a leader improves your mental well-being and gives you skills for the future.

“The big hashtag in Scouting at the moment is ‘skills for life’. That’s what we’re trying to pass on to young people, but the same applies to adult volunteers.”

Stuart, who is 49, been involved with Scouting since he was eight years old.

He's held many roles in the organisation over those years, including a stint as lead for adult volunteer recruitment and training for the whole of Cheshire, so he knows something about the benefits for people willing to give up some of their spare time.

Stuart added: “People ask me a lot why we adult volunteers in Scouting do what we do, and it’s really simple.

“We get immense pleasure watching young people both try and achieve new things.

“It can be something simple like lighting a fire or putting up and sleeping in a tent, all the way through to scaling a sheer rock face.

“Watching young people enjoy themselves, have fun, and learn new things – that’s why most of us do it. And we love it.

“We’re all big kids at heart.”