Over the last few months of 2022 we can all say that we’ve noticed costs going up and maybe thinking twice on decisions to do certain activities, events or camps.
Compared to some clubs, the cost of The Scouts is always competitive to allow it to be accessible to all never mind the background or current circumstances. We are a fully voluntary organisation so the money you pay is the costs we take. We don’t add any extra.
To help families and young people we thought we’d sign post five ways to make scouting cheaper and help save a bit of money during 2023.
Each year we can potentially claim over £10,000 in gift aid from the government without costing a penny to families or the group. We use this to subsidise activities, camps and events as well as develop scouting further with new kit and more spaces for people to join.
If you are a UK Taxpayer please visit www.1stfarnsfield.org.uk/giftaid and complete the online form.
For membership fees, camps and special events we can look to spread the cost over a period of time to help spread the cost. For example, this could mean moving membership subscriptions to monthly instead of termly. For 2023 if this is something that could help please get in touch with Chris Blockley at chris.blockley@1stfarnsfield.org.uk.
Volunteering each week entitles you to reduced membership fees. Get in touch with Chris Blockley if you would like to volunteer or take a look at our vacancies to see what might fit your availability.
Any secondhand uniform we always pass to the charity shop in Farnsfield. It’s worth checking there first before buying new.
Some events need extra kit you don’t always have. If you don’t have any then ask your section leader who may know someone who has some to borrow.
Most sections have a closed Facebook group. To save on petrol you can post in those groups to see if anyone would like to share transport to get to an event. Saving money and helping the environment!
We’ve created two funds available for members of the group. Our Scouting For All fund is focussed on parents / guardians that need some help during 2023 with membership fees. Our Great Outdoors Fund is accessible to section leaders to help subsidise events during 2023 to make it more affordable as costs rise. These funds are limited to 2023 and the total fund available is limited too.
Scouting for All Fund
We have a fund to help support members in financial hardship to take part in Scouting. It is available for young people who will are struggling with membership subscriptions during 2023. These grants are focused on those most in need, and so relatively few grants will be awarded if we are oversubscribed. Meeting the one of the criteria and providing the evidence below will be a minimum requirement for applications.
The fund is available from 1st February 2023 to 31st December 2023 and applications are open to Parents / Guardians of young people that are members (recorded in OSM). The fund can be used for reducing membership fees to a maximum contribution of 50% for a term.
All submissions are treated in confidence and only the approvers (Group Scout Leader, Deputy Chair Person and One Adult Volunteer) and the Group Treasurer will be aware of any application
Evidence that can help us make best judgement of ‘financial hardship’ would be if a family is in receipt of/eligible for one of the following:-
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Great Outdoors Fund
The Great Outdoors fund is available to section leaders to subsidise activities outside of a normal evening. As Scouts we know the benefits of doing activities outdoors so we’ve setup a fund just for 2023 to help more young people take part.
The fund is available from 1st February 2023 to 31st December 2023 with applications from Sections Leaders only direct to the approver (Group Scout Leader). The application must meet the following criteria:-
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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