Applying for a UK Scouts Volunteer role
Helping you shine in your application
This page offers helpful advice and guidance for applying to our national UK volunteer roles.
- If you're looking for more information about volunteering with Scouts locally, take a look here.
- If you're applying for a staff position with Scouts, please visit this page for tailored support.
- For general job application tips and resources, check out our Scouts and Employability webpages.
Thank you for your interest in joining the UK Scouts volunteer team. Volunteering nationally with Scouts is a brilliant way to make a difference - helping young people gain skills for life while developing your own along the way.
Before you start
Applying for a volunteering role with Scouts is about showing your passion, experience, and potential to grow.
Here’s how to prepare:
Read the role description carefully. Review the vacancy page and note the key skills and qualities listed (e.g. communication, leadership, problem-solving). These will shape both how we review your application and how you answer the questions.
Clarify your ‘why’. Make a list of why you want to volunteer with us, what excites you about the role, and what you hope to bring and gain.
Recognise your strengths and growth areas. You do not need to tick every box perfectly. Scouts is about learning by doing. Identify your strong areas and those you’d like to develop.
Gather examples of your experience. Think of moments from work, study, volunteering, hobbies or daily life that show how you:
- Worked with others or led a team.
- Solved a challenge or made something happen.
- Brought new ideas, motivated someone, or made someone feel welcome.
Ask questions if you’re unsure. Each volunteer vacancy page includes contact details. If anything is unclear, please reach out: we’re happy to help.
Want to explore how your skills could match different volunteering roles? Try this helpful external tool to discover your strengths and interests.
Answering the application questions
All UK Scouts application forms include three main questions. These help us understand:
- What motivates you to apply?
- What skills, knowledge, and experience you’ll bring?
- What you hope to gain from volunteering?
When answering, we recommend using the STAR method to keep things clear and focused:
- Situation – What was happening?
- Task – What needed to be done?
- Action – What did you do?
- Result – What happened, and what did you learn?
Even if your experience doesn’t come from formal roles, it still counts (for example: helping on a community project, organising a school event, bringing friends together). Highlight how you worked with others, communicated, solved problems or made a difference.
The STAR Method is a simple way to structure clear, confident answers using real examples from your experience. Visit the National Careers Service for a quick guide on how to use it effectively.
Sharing your skills and experience
Your value to the team comes from what you’ve already done – not just your job title.
Consider drawing on examples such as:
- Informally supporting or leading a group (e.g. team at work, sports club, community project).
- Encountering and managing a challenge or change.
- Organising an activity, event or idea.
- Encouraging and welcoming people.
Perhaps you’ve studied, volunteered, worked or taken part in hobbies – all of it gives you skills: communication, organisation, empathy, creativity and more.
The Skills Builder Universal Framework breaks down essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem solving into clear, teachable steps. It’s a great tool for understanding your strengths and identifying areas to grow.
Written applications
If writing is your preferred way to express yourself, here are some tips to help you get started.
Top tips for your written answers:
- Draft your responses in Word/Google Docs first – it gives you space to plan and edit.
- Use spellcheck and read your answers out loud to catch awkward phrasing.
- Stay within any word-counts given; focus on your strongest examples.
- Ask someone you trust (friend, mentor, colleague) to give feedback – a fresh set of eyes often spots something you missed.
Once you’re happy, submit your application using the online form.
If you experience any issues, please contact [email protected].
This guide from Indeed helps you explore what drives you - whether it’s making a difference, learning new skills, or connecting with others - and how to express that clearly in your application.
Recorded applications (audio or video)
If you express yourself best by speaking, you can record your answers as an audio or video clip instead of writing.
Getting ready
- Prepare short notes or prompts for each question – you don’t need a full script, just the key points.
- Practise a couple of times to find your natural flow.
Audio guidance
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Don’t include your name or membership number – we anonymise applications.
- Listen back to check clarity of your voice and volume.
Video auidance
- Choose a simple background and minimum distractions.
- Ensure lighting is even and your face is visible (avoid strong backlight).
- Look into the camera when possible, though looking at notes briefly is fine.
- Try to keep your recording under five minutes (check the application form instructions for time limits).
Once you’re happy, upload your audio or video file via the online application form.
Need help? Contact [email protected] or check the Scouts Digital Skills Tool.
This guide from Indeed breaks down the top skills valued in volunteering - like communication, teamwork, and reliability - and shows how to highlight them in your application.
Specific considerations for each UK Scouts Team
When applying for a role in the UK Leadership Team, focus on your ability to set vision, lead through others, and inspire across the whole movement. Demonstrate strategic thinking, collaboration across boundaries, and commitment to ensuring the Scouts’ mission and values shape every decision.
Applications for the UK Volunteering Team should highlight your understanding of volunteer experience, learning, and wellbeing. Show how you can build supportive systems, champion diversity and inclusion, and help every volunteer feel valued, developed and empowered.
For the UK Perception Team, emphasise your skills in communication, storytelling and influence. Show that you can represent Scouts positively to the public, partners and media, helping to strengthen our reputation and share the impact of what we do.
Applicants for the UK Programme Team should show passion for delivering inspiring, inclusive and youth-led activities. Highlight experience in programme design, innovation or education, and demonstrate an understanding of how young people develop skills for life through adventure and teamwork.
When applying to the UK Youth Team, focus on how you empower young people to shape decisions. Demonstrate strong listening and facilitation skills, experience in youth participation, and a belief that young people’s voices should be central to everything Scouts does.
For the UK Growth & Race Equity Team, highlight your experience in community engagement, outreach or equality work. Show how you can help Scouts grow in under-represented areas and create equitable opportunities where everyone feels they belong.
Applicants to the UK Safe Scouting Team should demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding, safety and risk management. Emphasise your attention to detail, integrity, and ability to promote a culture where everyone understands their role in keeping young people and adults safe.
For the UK Inclusion Team, focus on your experience of removing barriers and promoting inclusive practice. Show how you can help make Scouts accessible for people of all backgrounds and abilities, and how you champion equity, understanding and belonging at every level.
When applying to the UK International Team, highlight your understanding of global citizenship and cultural exchange. Show enthusiasm for building partnerships across borders and helping young people explore international Scouting, global development, and shared learning.
Applicants for Trustee roles should demonstrate strategic oversight, accountability and governance experience. Highlight your ability to think independently, act in the charity’s best interests, and ensure that Scouts continues to deliver safe, sustainable impact for young people across the UK.
For roles on UK Committees and Sub-Groups, focus on your subject expertise, analytical thinking, and ability to contribute constructively in a team environment. Demonstrate how your knowledge will help shape sound decisions, policies, and future direction.
When applying for roles in the Nations Leadership Teams (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), highlight your understanding of local context, partnerships and national priorities. Show how you can adapt national strategy to meet local needs and collaborate effectively across nations for shared goals.
Final checks
Before you hit “Submit”, take a moment to review the following:
✔ Have you answered all three questions?
✔ Did you clearly show your motivation, skills and enthusiasm?
✔ Are you within the word or time limit (written/audio/video)?
✔ Have you checked clarity, grammar (for written) or sound/lighting (for audio/video)?
✔ Are you proud of what you’re submitting?
When you’re ready – submit your application! And then, keep an eye on your inbox for a response from us.
What happens next?
Once you’ve applied, we’ll review your submission and may invite you to the next stage which could include an interview, informal chat, or meeting to discuss the role in more depth.
If you're offered the role, we’ll support you through any training and onboarding needed. Volunteering with Scouts is about growth, learning and being part of a community, so we’ll help you feel welcome and ready to make a difference.