Essentially Active Support is a group of adults who wish in some way to provide ‘active support’ to local Scouting.
An Active Support Unit can be made up of men and women of all ages, interests and backgrounds, whether or not they have been involved with Scouting or Guiding before. They can operate at local, national and international levels, but are most often connected to a District or County. All members of Active Support are there because they wish to give some of their time to Scouting – this can be as much or as little as they like, in a wide variety of activities. Each Active Support also has their own social and activity programme.
The aim of Active Support is to “Provide Active Support”, with the emphasis being very much on practical support of the youth programme at all levels of the Association, from the local Scout Group to National level. These may be specialist groups, for example campsite service crews, skilled activity teams, first aid teams or radio operators, or they may be a more general group of individuals with a variety of interests and skills who are ready to help out at all sorts of different events.
Active Support around the country regularly gets involved in event organisation and support, adventurous activity provision, fundraising, supporting Section Leaders, providing social activities for Districts and Counties, skills based sessions and training. In fact ‘active support’ can be just about anything, the list is endless.
Active Support is a large part of the ‘backbone’ of the Scout Movement – supporting the young people and voluntary leaders wherever help is required. The key to our success is our flexibility – we’re here to help.
Alison Gibb
Scout Active Support Manager
Hello, I’m Alison Gibb. I have been involved in Scouting in Preston for 40 years – starting as a Cub helper at 1st Ingol and a Venture Scout at 6th Fulwood. I have since been a Beaver Scout Leader and have helped with the District as well.
For the past 10 years I have been a member of SASU and I am looking forward to being able, along with my fellow SASU members, to help with various District and County events once more.
Interested in Joining or starting your own ASU?
Contact Alison now, by clicking the button below and selecting ‘Scout Active Support’ from the list of recipients on the contact form
You do not need to be a current member of the Scout Association to join an Active Support Unit. Therefore, if you are interested in helping to promote young peoples development and improve the skills of our members then please consider joining one of our ASUs.
