How UK Scouts have been supporting the Ukraine crisis so far
It’s in our nature to help with any crisis, so it’s no surprise that Scouts all over the UK have been springing into action to help the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Here’s what just a few Scout groups have been up to so far:
95 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts involved in Northamptonshire
‘We decided as a group to try and walk 1478 miles in March, which is the distance from Crick to Kyiv.
‘So far, we’ve managed over 800 miles, so we’re well on our way to completing this.
‘We've organised a fundraiser to support the Ukrainian Scouts Humanitarian Response.
‘So far we’ve raised over £1800 and are hoping to raise even more.’
60 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts involved in West Sussex
‘With the support of parents and leaders, the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sold homemade cakes and biscuits, ran a tombola, and sold tickets to an amazing array of raffle prizes.
‘The Scouts created some hand drawn posters advertising that the group were raising funds for the Ukraine Scouts, organised by WOSM.
‘On the day, members of the group took turns in helping on the stall, which raised £1030!’
22 Scouts involved in Hereford and Worcester
‘We ran an evening to take the Scouts through what’s happening and the refugee crisis.
‘They made ribbons that we then handed out for donations for the World Scout fund.
‘We did this on 6 March and 12 March, collecting at a local Co-op store. 22 Scouts were involved, and we raised £1,100 in total.’
30 Cubs and Scouts involved in Buckinghamshire
‘[We’re doing an] ongoing aid collection for community donations.
‘Currently [we’re] delivering to four shelters and orphanages, one aid centre warehouse on the Ukrainian border and we also have deliveries of aid going to paramedics on the front line.’
Useful resources
If you’d like to do something similar in your local area, we’ve got lots of resources to help you talk to young people about international crises and make a difference through your programme.
You can also work towards your Community Impact Badge through the A Million Hands programme, with our activities about supporting refugees and displaced children that we developed in partnership with Save the Children.
We’re working on more resources and guidance for supporting young refugees and their families, who may arrive in your communities. We hope to start sharing these in late May, with many focusing on young people who have been displaced by the Ukrainian crisis.
However, Scouts have always been concerned with supporting displaced families, regardless of the crisis, disaster or conflict responsible.
The Moving Connection resource was released in 2017, with the support of the Eric Frank Trust. It was originally released when there was an increase in Syrian families arriving in the UK.
Supporting refugees and displaced children