DC Bits and Bobs

Posted on 5th February 2023 by Tony Brewis

I’ve seen some fantastic work done in our district over the past month while I’ve been out and about and met some amazing volunteers. I`ve attended several camp fires sampled some foreign cuisine and witnessed the hard work people are putting in behind the scenes to better the facilities for the Young People.

I attended a Gourmet cooking night organised by one of our Explorer Scouts, where the five-course meal was planned, prepared and cooked by a small team of Explorer Scouts, and it looked and tasted amazing.

The Scout District Patrol Leaders Development Weekend was fantastic! This program showed the current and future PLs and APLs who attended a chance to develop leadership skills for Scouting and potentially for the future. The event was well attended and every Scout taking part participated and I`m sure took something of value away.

Some Bits and Bobs for you to have a look at and maybe some dates for your diaries.

MiDAS course – a formal minibus qualification is not essential for Scouting, but some groups and insurers require MiDAS or a comparable minibus driver training for those using their buses. What we expect in Chester-le-Street, is for all minibus activity to be risk assessed and a defensible position to be put forward for any activity where we are driving minibuses for Scouting. It is to help with this defensible position that we are running a MiDAS course towards the end of February. https://chesterlestreetscouts.org.uk/2023/01/27/midas-minibus-driving-awareness-scheme/

First Response – need to do or renew your First Response First Aid training? The District runs training whenever enough people have completed and registered through the online learning. https://chesterlestreetscouts.org.uk/2022/11/17/first-response/

Training – The District Executive Committee have recently agreed to fund relevant Scout and external training for Adult Volunteers in Chester-le-Street which will help them deliver Scouting activities for the benefit of young people in Chester-le-Street. Applications for funding should be supported by your GSL/DESC and sent to the district training coordinator for approval – Karen Gibson Karen.Gibson@durhamscouts.org.uk

TA Drop-ins – As County still haven’t put out any dates for training, I am pleased to be able to offer some training at a district level. The following Training advisor drop-in sessions will be available in the near future with more to come and each session will be backed up with a Module trainer led session.

Tuesday 21st February – Sterling Hall Scout Centre, Front Street, Great Lumley
6-9 pm Training Advisors drop in (anytime)
7-9 pm Module 11 (Administration) trainer led session

Monday 20th March – Sterling Hall Scout Centre, Front Street, Great Lumley
6-9 pm Training Advisors drop in (anytime)
7-9 pm Module 17 (Running Safe Activities) trainer led session

Explorers – Does your Scout HQ promote Explorer Scouting as well as the sections of your group? Please have a look at the posters and resources on the district website to make Explorer Scouting the natural next step for your Scouts – https://chesterlestreetscouts.org.uk/centurions-explorers/

Young Leaders – Do you work in a section and have Young Leaders? Do you understand how you can get the most out of the Young Leaders Scheme? We have posted a helpful page and learning here – https://chesterlestreetscouts.org.uk/2023/01/27/young-leader-training/

Changes to the NAN process – This all changed on 31st Jan 2023 and everyone should be using the new process from then.

  • Squirrels are now allowed to go on nights away events. There are no restrictions on venues or the length of time they can be away. As with all nights away events the local risk assessment applies. HQ have trialled several events and there is guidance on the website. As nights away permits are not section specific, anyone with a nights away permit can run an event for Squirrels.
  • There is a new form NAN which needs to be used from 31st Jan 2023 – Form NAN Jan 23 Edition 10
    1. The Form NAN now includes Squirrels.
    2. The form NAN now includes a section on Contingency planning. Permit holders must confirm they have contingency plans in place. The guidance is that this is for significant changes to the program, where the contingency activity would need its own risk assessment.
  • The Form NAN process now requires documented approval of District commissioner before a nights away event takes place. There is a new section on the form for this to be given. Electronic signatures and approval are allowed. The event can’t take place without this documented approval.
    1. The form NAN should be sent to the District Commissioner at least 7 days before the nights away event and the risk assessment should be attached.
    2. Other documentation such as Contingency plans, menus, program etc. do not need to be attached but should be available if requested.
  • Everything else stays the same for nights away.

Do you know who your district team are? We have updated our contacts at https://chesterlestreetscouts.org.uk/leadership-and-management/

Finally, I`m trying to find a volunteer to help organise and plan events for the District, but more focussed towards Beavers and Cubs. I remember when I was a Beaver and Cub going around the district to all kinds of events, and I would love to see this again. So if you feel you would be interested in a role on our District Events Planning Team please let me know.

Thank you everyone you are all amazing!

Photo of Andrew, the new District Commissioner and Lead Volunteer for Chester le Street

 

Andrew Pine
District Commissioner/Lead Volunteer
Chester-le-Street Scouts