By Sonia Hudson
It has been an incredible start to 2026 for the young people of Hurstpierpoint. If you’ve spotted a few more colourful scarves around the village lately, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Since 2025, our youth membership numbers have climbed to new heights, proving that the appetite for adventure, community, and skill-building is stronger than ever in our local area. However, we find ourselves at a bittersweet crossroads. While our ranks are growing, our ‘grown-up’ team needs a boost to keep pace.
The ‘Good Problem’ we’re facing is that our current sections are buzzing with energy, but to maintain the high quality of activities - and to ensure every child gets the attention they deserve - we need more hands on deck. Simply put: we have the young people, but we lack the adult capacity to open the doors any wider.
We currently have a waiting list of eager youngsters wanting to join the fun. Our dream is to open new sections to accommodate everyone, but we simply cannot do that without a solid foundation of volunteers.
You don’t need to be an expert in knots or a wilderness survivalist to make a difference. We are looking for local heroes to fill three vital areas:
• Front-Line Legends: helping out at weekly meetings. Whether you can commit to every week or just once a month on a rota, your presence allows us to run safe, exciting sessions.
• Behind-the-Scenes Stars: our group needs ‘back office’ support - people to help with administration or keeping our HQ in top shape, so our Scouts have a great place to meet.
• Media Manager: are you handy with a camera or social media? We need someone to help tell our story and share the amazing things our young people achieve.
Volunteering isn’t just about giving back; it’s about being part of the energy that shapes the next generation of our village.
Why join us? Well, aside from the undeniable feelgood factor, volunteering with us is a brilliant way to meet your neighbours, learn new skills, and take a break from the daily grind. Whether you’re a parent, a local professional, or recently retired, your life experience is the most valuable asset you can bring.
The goal is simple: more volunteers mean more sections. More sections mean no child in Hurstpierpoint has to stay on a waiting list. If you can spare even two hours a month, we’d love to chat with you about how you can fit into our team. Let’s make sure 2026 is the year we say ‘yes’ to every young person who wants to join the adventure.
To find out more or to drop in for a chat, please contact: Sonia (Group Lead Volunteer) Email: enquiries@hurstpierpointscouts.co.uk
Web: www.hurstpierpointscouts.co.uk