About
Why the work is being done
COVID-19 initially stopped the Scouts’ face to face support for 500,000 young people. Committed volunteers have worked hard supporting communities, delivering online activities and developing a blended, socially distanced Scout programme. Since June we've run over 100,000 Scout meetings via Zoom.
Volunteers have found it challenging to manage/navigate the changes to Scouting's Skills for Life programme in an engaging socially distanced/digital way (more administration, compliance with health and safety, changes to group sizes, risk assessment, and managing others) especially where lockdown restrictions continue. Learning new skills and using unfamiliar technology is difficult; in a recent survey over 53% said lack of digital skills /confidence are key barriers.
This programme is part of the Catalyst and The National Lottery Community Fund COVID-19 Digital Response funding initiative; a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and CAST, supported by the Catalyst network.
Volunteers have found it challenging to manage/navigate the changes to Scouting's Skills for Life programme in an engaging socially distanced/digital way (more administration, compliance with health and safety, changes to group sizes, risk assessment, and managing others) especially where lockdown restrictions continue. Learning new skills and using unfamiliar technology is difficult; in a recent survey over 53% said lack of digital skills /confidence are key barriers.
This programme is part of the Catalyst and The National Lottery Community Fund COVID-19 Digital Response funding initiative; a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and CAST, supported by the Catalyst network.
Problem to solve
Scout volunteers working with young people during the Covid-19 pandemic urgently need better digital skills to support them through their blended digital and socially distanced Scouting programme.
They need to understand their digital skill level and learn/gain confidence in a range of digital skills. These will support them to complete administration tasks efficiently, recruit volunteers, communicate with parents and other volunteers and keep up to date with their training, which is increasingly being run using digital tools.
Above all they will be able to deliver safe, engaging, informative and fun skills for life for young people.
Who are the users and what do they need to do
There are 3 main types of users:
- Scout volunteers
"As a volunteer I need to be able to:
- Scout volunteers
"As a volunteer I need to be able to:
- Find an easy way to start my learning journey when my starting digital skill level is low
- Assess my current capabilities and understand the gaps in my knowledge
- Increase my digital skills through signposting to appropriate learning resources
- Be encouraged and motivated to continue my learning by seeing my progress
- Find ways to share with others learning at similar levels
- Be able to get support from those who already have skills in my organisation."
- Digital Champion Scout volunteers
"As a Digital Champion Scout volunteers I need to be able to:
- Help others who need support with their digital skills
- Access resources and information to help support someone else to improve their digital skills
- Continue to improve my own learning and knowledge
- Take part in learning which enables me to support others
- Share learning with other Digital Champions."
- HQ users supporting volunteers:
"As an HQ user supporting volunteers to gain new skills I need to be able to:
- Customise content with my organisation’s logo and brand colours
- Keep the content and skills framework up to date and relevant to my particular organisation
- Assess overall skill levels across the organisation to show digital maturity levels and to track progress
- Gain user insights to inform further development and focus."