Cubs Scouts

County Safety Officer Paul Howard has agreed to put on another basic course for Wyre Forest based at Rhydd Covert.

Tuesday 23rd Sept and this is the link to book. Bookings will be via eventbrite at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/risk-assessment-101-tickets-1476262864969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please book if you are interested as weve had 3 courses now and this maybe the last.

If you are booking please ensure you turn up also as you will see from the email below weve had multiple late cancellations and no shows previously.

Paul is a volunteer like us all.

If anyone is interested in the advanced course aimed at Nights Away please let me know directly as we need numbers interested before putting a course on in the autumn.

YIS

Mark Searl

GLV WF21

Updated Safeguarding policy. Our Safeguarding policy and procedures have been updated to reflect the updated Orange Card and changes to how you volunteer. Key changes include:  

• Role title updates. 
• Reference to Welcome Conversations.
• Changes to language around non-recent abuse, to align with best practice.  
• Reference to the 30-day period where new volunteers must complete our safeguarding learning, as part of Growing Roots. 

It also includes reference to the new online safeguarding reporting form, which is the easiest way to report concerns. You can read the updated policy on our website. 

There will be a First Aid course over two evenings in August; Tuesday 19th and Tuesday 26th August 6.30pm to 9..30pm. It will be held at WF8's hut, Habberley Road, Kidderminster.

To book, please contact me on 07885988176 or email faith@westoaks.org.uk.. I suggest booking quickly as all courses are filling up fast.

Faith

First Aid Courses

Faith has added the following dates for everyone to book on.

NEW! !NEW!! NEW!!

20th July 2025 9.30am to 4pm at WF17

There are two First Response courses in the Autumn.

13th September 9.30 to 4pm at WF15

23rd November 9.30 to 4pm at WF17

On both dates there is a Practical session at 4pm.

Another Part 2 Zoom session will be added shortly for those wishing to do the Blended training; there is one on 4th June with only a few participants if you have leaders who need to complete quickly.

There are two dates now being offered for the Blended First Aid Zoom sessions. Wednesday  30th July or Wednesday 27th August; both running 6.30 to 9.30pm. They will be available to book on H&W's website from Wednesday 9th July.

There are still places on  the course running over two Tuesday evenings 19th and 26th August 6.30 to 9.30pm. Please let me know if you wish to book.

There is also another course being added to the calendar in Worcester on Saturday 16th August, 9.30 to 4.00pm and a Practical session at 4pm.

I will attend the Leaders meeting in September so if anyone wishes to complete their Practical session there I ill bring along the resusi-annies.

Faith

Those dates not suitable, then please go here First Aid Training | Scouts Hereford & Worcester (scoutshw.org.uk)  and you will see courses elsewhere in the County or the "Hampshire Model" an online session to cover module 10a. The next module 10b can be completed locally. Demand for these FREE courses is bound to be high as we move into Transformation so please take the opportunity to book early. Check your compass record to see when your renewal is due.

Contact Faith directly faith@westoaks.org.uk for further information or look in the Training Diary page on Hereford and Worcestershire Scouts website for alternative FA courses outside of the district.  Remember to check when your FA expires and book in good time to avoid travelling.

Reminder that under Transformation, First Response will be mandatory for:

• Group Lead Volunteers
• Section Team Leaders
• Section Team Members
• District 14-24 Team Leaders

• In other words, ALL face-to-face leaders and team members.

• There are a small number of volunteers in the District who are not compliant, please check Your Membership on the Scout system if you are unsure about your status.

Little litter warriors and Wyre Forest scouts (organiser Mark Searl WF21) have joined the Kidderminster Bid project to help improve Kidderminster town centre. I have attached the area in question. We are looking for sections to get out and about in these areas to help us clean up but also somewhere different and educational to pick. The Kidderminster Bid has offered us donations however I’m leaving that part to Mark. I am running these sessions in Kidderminster and happy to join your group litter picks if can. This activity can then fall under fundraiser, community and part of environmental badge works. It would be great to know where you intend to pick too so that we can cover other areas that won’t have been picked.

Wyre Forest District council are working with me in making sure we have enough equipment to supply the demand. There are also wanting to be more efficient in helping our activity run smoothly. Here is a link to how you can report where you have left your litter filled bags. Reporting this after your pick will ensure a quick collection response. Community volunteer litter picker | Wyre Forest District Council (wyreforestdc.gov.uk). There is also a section where you can let them know how your pick went, filling in this is easy and they may do a social post on their platforms about your achievements, this always is great for promoting scouting in a community.

Karen Blanchfield

Assistant Scout leader