Convenience in Healthcare Isn’t a Luxury

Our ward is fortunate to have many Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides groups. Each one is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, working hard to provide varied, engaging, and educational activities. Behind the scenes, there are also volunteers maintaining buildings, fundraising, recruiting and training new leaders, and managing the accounts. It is a mammoth undertaking, and it is absolutely worth it.

Scouting was especially important to my father. After losing his own dad, his Scout leader became a hugely positive role model in his life. Stories like his are not unusual. Scout groups, and their sister organisations, play a powerful role in shaping young lives. They may not always make headlines, but their impact is profound, helping children grow into confident, capable, and compassionate members of society. That is why I am so passionate about supporting them, and why I choose to volunteer my time.

I volunteer at Totley Beavers. My eldest daughter has been attending for a few terms, and her youngersister starts tomorrow. While it can be exhausting after a long day at work, when my brain feels like mush, it is always worthwhile. The children are fantastic. I love seeing them try something new and watching their faces light up with pride and excitement.

At their core, these groups provide something increasingly rare in today’s world: a safe, supportive environment where children can learn by doing. Whether it is pitching a tent for the first time, learning to work as a team, or building friendships outside of school, these experiences help young people develop essential life skills. They learn resilience when things do not go to plan, leadership when they take responsibility, and empathy when they support one another.

My daughers also go to Brownies and Rainbows too. In an age of screens and social media, these organisations offer a vital opportunity for children to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the real world. Outdoor adventures, creative activities, and community projects encourage curiosity and imagination in ways that no device ever could. More importantly, they remind children that they are capable of far more than they might think.

Beyond the activities themselves, what truly makes these groups special is the sense of belonging they create. Every child, regardless of background or ability, is welcomed and valued. They are given the chance to find their voice, to be heard, and to feel part of something bigger than themselves. That sense of inclusion is not just important, it is transformative.

This is also why volunteering matters so much. These organisations rely on dedicated people who give their time, energy, and care to support the next generation. Volunteering is not always easy; it requires commitment, patience, and sometimes a lot of muddy shoes, but it is incredibly rewarding. Seeing a child gain confidence, try something new, or simply smile with pride makes every moment worthwhile.

For me, volunteering is about giving back. It is about investing in our future by supporting our young people today. It is also about strengthening our communities. When adults come together to support children, we build connections that go far beyond weekly meetings and create networks of trust, shared purpose, and mutual support.

As a political candidate, I believe it is vital that we recognise and support the role these groups play. That means ensuring they have access to funding, safe spaces, and the recognition they deserve. It also means encouraging more people to get involved, because the more volunteers we have, the more children we can reach.

Ultimately, organisations like Beavers, Scouts, Rainbows, and Guides are not just extracurricular activities, they are foundations for life. They help shape the kind of society we all want to live in, one that is resilient, inclusive, and full of opportunity.

That is why I volunteer, and that is why I will always champion the incredible work these groups do for our children and our communities.

If elected on 7th May, I will do all I can to support local groups and volunteers. I understand the challenges, but I also know how extraordinary these organisations are, thanks to both the volunteers and the wider network of community organisations that support them through running sessions and fundraising efforts.

Volunteers are rarely thanked; we do not do it for recognition, but it still matters. So I will end simply by saying thank you. Thank you for the time you give, for the commitments you keep, and for persevering even when it does not fit easily into your life. What you have built goes far beyond the groups themselves. Your impact lives on in the children you support and the adults they become, just as it did for my father.

In this photo, I had manned the door at Totley Scouts fair and then visited Totley vintage fair where they donate a portion of the money they raise to local groups including Totley Scouts. I absoutely loved these handmade, solid wooden spinning tops. ← Back to Latest News