The amazing young people shaping the 14-24 redesign project

We’re looking at what Scouts could be like for future generations of 14-24 year olds.

With nothing off the table, we’re reviewing the outcomes we hope young people can achieve, the activities that will get them there, and the programme and support that make the delivery of those activities as easy as possible.

To do this successfully, we need to put young people in the driver's seat, so we've set up a youth panel of 17 brilliant young people to help guide this project.

Some of them have been in Scouts since Beavers, while others are brand new to the organisation and come with new perspectives. What unites them all is a passion for making sure the new designs for the programme help more young people gain skills for life.

They’ll help steer the 14-24 redesign work, making sure that we're designing for what young people want and need from Scouts. They’ll be bringing their own lived experience, and contributing to the overall look and feel of the project.

Let’s meet them.

Beth Dennis

Hi, I’m Beth. I’m passionate about empowering young people to start their social action journey and making sure that all decisions that affect young people has them meaningfully engaged in the whole decision-making process.

I was a Scout and Cub Scout Young Leader. I’ve since taken on youth focused roles, such as joining the Young Person’s Advisory Group at Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital and NHS Youth Forum. I’m also an #iWill ambassador and a Squad Leader for My Life, My Say, which is a charity to empower young people to participate in democracy.

Daniel Bavister

I’m Dan, and I’m from Wiltshire. I first joined Scouts as an Explorer in a newly established unit.

During my time at Explorers, I went on lots of amazing adventures, including helping to organise and attending a trip to the Roihu 2016 International Jamboree in Finland. Since turning 18, I’ve volunteered as a District Network Commissioner and successfully restarted a Network section in my District.

More recently, I’ve taken on the role of County Transformation Lead for Wiltshire, supporting volunteers with the upcoming changes to our volunteer journey.

Nusrat Lichhin

I’m Nusrat, and I’m a volunteer mentor at City Year UK. I mentor student’s academic, social and emotional wellbeing. I’m the founder of Rongin Vubon Art School, and I work at Kite Wellness Hub as a mental health service provider to children with special needs.

Previously, I’ve worked with Aachol Foundation in Bangladesh, where I hosted live programmes and workshops about mental health awareness of young people. I'm currently a postgraduate student at the University of Bolton, and I’m studying Early Childhood Education.

Charli Clement

I’m Charli, a disability activist and Scout from Birmingham. As a Network member, Cub and Scout leader, and previous Community Impact Group member, I’m passionate about changing the 14-24 programme to be more inclusive and accessible for all.

Elsewhere, I work in the NHS and third sector to improve care for autistic and disabled people.

Anna Kerr

I’m Anna, a 23-year-old Geordie with a passion for social mobility.

In my day job, I work as an Innovation Funding Manager, supporting organisations with innovative ideas from early-stage concept development all the way through to commercialisation. In my spare time, I like to read, rollerblade and visit the countryside for a cathartic hike.

Jacob Wand

I joined Scouting as a Beaver aged 6 and have stayed for the adventure ever since. I’m currently an Explorer Scout Leader in my local district as well as the County Transformation Lead.

I’m a King’s Scout and my most memorable moments so far must be being a member of Operation Feather supporting Her Late Majesty The Queen's Lying-In-State and attending the World Scout Jamboree in Korea. I’m looking forward to helping shape and develop a provision that is more relevant and engaging to the 14-24 age range of today and the future.

Freya Johns

I’ve been in Scouting since joining Beavers and have gone through all the sections ever since. I’ve enjoyed being a Young Leader and am now a Cub Scout leader, as well as a supervisor for DofE expeditions and I support with inclusion in my district.

I’m passionate about improving the 14-24 provision and I’m excited to help make it as inclusive and welcoming as possible for all young people.

Lauren Bennett

I’m Lauren, a first-year business student, a Duke of Edinburgh UK Youth Ambassador and, most excitedly, a new member of the Scouts’ Youth Panel! For fun I play hockey, run and go to the gym as staying healthy is really important to me.

I’m big on sustainability and equality, so try to exercise my passions through everything I do, from running projects to simply talking to friends. Through completing my DofE Awards, I’ve gained many life skills, therefore I’m driven to ensure other young people get equally inspiring opportunities.

Adam Ray

I’ve been volunteering with Scouts since 2018, and I joined as a Cub Scout, back in 2009. Achieving my Explorer Belt was one of the best things I did as a young person, and now I work with Explorers, I’m keen to make sure the whole programme is fit for today’s 14-24-year-olds.

Locally, I’m on my District Leadership Team, am an Explorer Leader and am a Group and District Trustee. Over the last few years, I’ve planned and run events for young people of all ages, helped adults joining our District Team, and supported Explorers to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young Leader Belts. When I’m not volunteering, I sing in a choir, and work as a Communications Manager.

Jools Elliot

I’m Jools and I’m from Kent. I’ve been involved in Scouts for many years, in many roles, including as a Young Leader and now the County Youth Lead for Kent. One of my highlights of my Scout experience must be volunteering in the team that supported the Lying-In-State.

I’m looking forward to using both my professional experience teaching and volunteering roles to transform 14-24 provision into something more young people benefit from.

Nung Sirisot

I'm Nung and I’ve been involved in Scouting for as long as I can remember, as it was a part of the school’s curriculum in Thailand, where I was born and raised. I’m passionate about making a difference through kindness and promoting the importance of youth voice.

I began my Young Leader journey with Scouts UK when I was 14, now 20 I’m a leader for Beavers and Cubs. I’m also a District Youth Commissioner for York Ebor Scouts. Outside of Scouts, I’m studying Psychology in Education at the University of York. I love climbing, paddleboarding, hiking, am an anti-bullying activist, and an advocate for mental health awareness.

Osman Abdhulla

I'm Osman and I’m from Sudan. I came to the UK when I was 17 and I’ve now been living in UK for about one year. Right now, I'm a student at Suffolk New College studying core subjects as I was unable to finish my education at home due to war.

I'm interested in public speaking, I love to learn and help people through volunteering my time at a local charity shop and organisation that offer support and advise to marginalized BME families in and around Ipswich.

Jack Woodward

I’m Jack and I started Scouting as a Beaver at 6 years old, and have stayed as a member of every section, including as a Young Leader for the Scout section.

I’m now a Network member with volunteer leadership roles in both Scouts and Explorers, my time on a local SSAGO committee, and current role on the national SSAGO committee, have given me a passion for developing successful 18+ provision. Beyond Scouting, I’m a PhD student at the University of Liverpool.

Charlotte Bennett

I began Scouting aged 20 after hearing about Scout Network from friends. I’m passionate about the opportunities and awards that Scouting has to offer and have recently achieved my Scouts of the World Award (SOWA) and King’s Scout Award.

Until recently, I was an Explorer leader in Buckinghamshire and am now Scouting as a Beaver leader in Lincolnshire and as a SOWA trainer. During the Summer of 2023, I was part of the leadership team with 41 Explorers taking part in Bucks Grand Tour visiting 6 countries across Europe in 3 weeks. Outside of Scouting, I’m a special needs teacher.

Mohammed Adam

I'm Mohammed and I'm from Sudan. I have been living in the UK for almost 3 years and am currently a student at Suffolk New College. I do ESOL (English Speaking for Other Languages) Level 3 classes as I was unable to finish my education in my country due to war.

I have many hobbies including IT, football, drawing and writing poetry. I'm also busy learning my 4th and 5th languages! In my spare time, I volunteer in a Sense charity shop. I'm looking forward to practising my public speaking whilst on the Youth Panel.

Conor Warren

I’m Conor, I’m 18 and from North Devon. I’m a mental health advocate and entrepreneur. I’m currently the CEO of Spark UK, an award-winning mental health organisation run by young people for young people. They create lessons, resources and campaigns for thousands of young people across the country.

Away from Spark UK, I’m an ambassador for a number of projects and an involved with other charities including RNLI.

Ace Merriott

I’m Ace, a passionate leader in Hampshire, focusing on the Explorer provision as a 14-24 Lead. I want to make sure that the 14 to 25 provision encourages Young People to be themselves in a safe and diverse environment.

Outside of Scouting, I’m usually found working backstage in my local theatre or volunteering wherever I can!