HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has become Scouting’s newest volunteer and will help at local cub packs and beaver colonies, Clarence House has announced.The Duchess, who joins 66,000 girls and 40,000 female leaders in Scouting, will help out at groups close to where she lives. Her Royal Highness also hopes to help with activities in other parts of the United Kingdom as opportunity arises.

Flexible volunteering

The announcement comes as a great endorsement of Scouting’s commitment to allow adults to volunteer their time on a flexible basis. The Duchess will help run a variety of activities relevant to her skills and interests. This could include running games, teaching first aid or cooking on campfires.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls gave a delighted reaction to the news: ‘The Duchess has an incredibly busy life, which makes it all the more inspiring that she has chosen to volunteer alongside us.

‘Over the last few years it has been our mission to make it easier for adults who volunteer with us to give as much or as little as they are able – it is how we change our society: many people doing a little bit.’

The chance to inspire

Helping give young people a taste of everyday adventure through fun and practical activities, The Duchess will have the chance to inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

Patrick, 10, a cub scout in Enfield said: ‘I have really great adventures at cubs and it’s all thanks to the leaders who help out. It’s amazing that The Duchess wants to get involved and I think she will be really good at it.’

Despite six consecutive years of growth, there is still a need for more adults to volunteer with us, to provide opportunities for over 33,500 young people who are waiting to join.

Many hands make light work

Adults of all ages are finding ways to volunteer that fit in around their lives. In Manchester, Heather Baker, 29, has found a flexible solution. ‘The demands of modern life often mean it’s harder for people to find time to volunteer,’ said Heather. ‘The role I’ve just taken on is shared between four adults to make it work.’

She added, ‘It’s great that The Duchess can find time in her schedule to help Scouting develop the lives of young people in her local community. Flexibility in volunteering is the way forward.’