Grantham Scouts go to Paris

Every month I write about how fabulous Lincolnshire Scouting is, what amazing activities we are getting up to and always that reminder to complete your training to keep our young people safe. This month for my introduction I thought I would write something a little different. The Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organised by the Austrian Broadcasting Company - ORF (Linz) - and was part of a large charitable relief mission - Light into Darkness, for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1986 there has been a great deal of co-operation between Scouts and Guides in many countries which has allowed the light to travel throughout Europe, such that the light is passed on to 30 European Countries and for the past few years, on to North America, Mexico and Canada . Each year, a child from Upper Austria kindles a flame from the "Eternal Flame" from the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services throughout the Continent. Scouts and Guides can then take the light on to other churches, hospitals, old people homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anybody that appreciates the significance of the "gift". In past years the light has been presented to Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, the former King Hussain of Jordan, EU President and other member of the European parliament in Strasbourg, the UN Troops in Kosovo and continues to be taken to Ground Zero, New York. UK Scouts and Guides (and members of other Youth Organisations) have been involved with the Peace Light since it first came over to these shores. For over 35 years members of individual countries Scout and Guide Associations, and other similar groups have acted as couriers, working in conjunction with the organisers "ORF", taking back the Light to their own places of worship or meeting places. Each year, the light is collected from a Service of Dedication in Vienna and then transported across Europe by representatives of the Associations. On its journey it is collected by other members of that countries Scouts and Guides to be distributed far and wide, delivering with it the Peace Lights dedication and message of goodwill. More details can be found at https://www.peacelight.org.uk/ Last year we were pleased to have the peace light in Lincolnshire, through the good work of Robin Wright and others. We hope again to have the Peace Light in Lincolnshire from 16 December and if you are interested in having the light in your location, please contact howard.nelson@lincolnshirescouts.org.uk

You will have received an email from Headquarters with the dates for the launch of the new Digital Tool. The Lincolnshire Transformation Team would like to share what we are doing in the County and how the ‘Go Live’ will affect you. What are the dates for launch? In Lincolnshire the new system will be launched on 28th November (‘Go Live Date’) In order to transfer data across (personal details, training records and permits) Compass will ‘freeze’ from 7th November. Compass Data Freeze From 7th November Compass will ‘freeze’ and data cannot be changed or accessed – you will not be able to add any new members, change roles or update training or DBS. A spreadsheet of key information (password protected) will be sent from HQ to all District Lead Volunteers to still allow for essential work e.g. approving NAN forms. For DBS’s that expire during November and December we are asking you to complete them early, a full list will be available if you are affected. What is being replaced? The new Digital System is replacing ‘Compass’ which is the adult database. The new database will be the location for the following: Adult personal details Adult training (Learning) records Adding new adults and requesting new DBS applications (Atlantic data will remain for the DBS application). Nights Away Notification (NAN) forms Activity permits From the launch of the new database all essential learning e.g. safety and safeguarding will be carried out on the new system, which will update records automatically. What is not being changing? Online Scout Manager (OSM) and young people data is not affected in any way. Atlantic data will remain for DBS processing How do I log into the new system? Around 2 weeks before ‘Go Live date’ every member will get a personalised email with the login details for the new system. The login will be via the Scouts.org.uk website. What happens to Compass? All data from Compass will migrate across to the new system. Compass will be accessible to HQ staff after Go Live date to correct any errors or omissions. What do I need to do? Very little as most of the work is happening in the background. Please ensure that you have a valid, accessible email address on Compass or ‘no email’ selected. 1 member, 1 email. What about my training record What you need to do for your role will be changing as we move from training to learning. The learning you need for your role will be on the new digital system with it automatically recorded when completed. For all leaders with a wood badge it will transfer to the new digital system and ongoing mandatory learning will be on the new digital system Only training that is validated (signed off by a training adviser) will be recorded on the new membership system For leaders without a wood badge for their role and to avoid having to do learning in the 5 months after ‘go live’ you need the following validated Getting started ( modules 1,2,3, safety, safeguarding, GDPR) Scouting for all ( Module 7) Delivering a quality programme ( Module 12a) For section and group assistants you will become members of the group or section leadership team and as such will be required to complete the learning for all members as above. What support is the available for the ‘Go Live’? Headquarters will be running a series of online familiarisation sessions of the new database which will be run during go live week and beyond. These will be during the day and evenings. Dates are available and were in the national e-mail Lincolnshire have a team to support the ‘Go Live’ process who will support all members who have queries or need support to access the system. We are also planning to run a series of road shows across the county to support members to familiarise themselves with the system. There will be a dedicated ticket system set up for any questions – login at https://scouts.cc/login

The dates for this year’s event are Friday 2 May 1900 – Monday 5 May 1300. We are once again camping in the amazing grounds surrounding Burghley Park, Stamford and we have some amazing activities for you all to participate in at this annual event. Bookings are open to Scout and Guide groups both from within Stamford and Bourne District and from other Districts and Counties outside Stamford and Bourne. Please encourage your Scout and Guide friends from around the District and further afield to book on and join in with the fun. New for 2025 - we will also be running an Explorer and Ranger sub camp. This will be for Explorers and Rangers to camp together in their Groups and to be part of the Stamcamp team not only to be able to have fun enjoying and participating in activities but to help run activities, crafts and even help with the site services to give them an introduction of what being part of a camp team is like. There will also be a special evening programme for them to take part in. Bookings close on 31 January 2025. The booking forms for groups at the link below. https://forms.office.com/e/8CTQjBgZKK (groups, not activity staff)

Night Away Advisor Update 14 December 2025 10am-1pm Wellingore This session is for Nights Away Advisors who need to attend an update session. Those that have previously attended a session with Trevor or Howard do not need to reattend. The link for booking is at https://forms.office.com/e/p3vafL3JWQ Nights Away Advisor / Assessor Module 25 We are running a Nights Away Advisor Module 25 - 11 Jan 2025, 10am to 3pm at Wellingore. This course is needed for anyone who wishes to be a Nights Away Advisor / Assessor. Bookings at https://forms.office.com/e/2ZrcuJX604

Another brilliant event with record numbers from the team at EGXS Unit, for Scouts aged 13+, Explorers and even leaders who enjoy hunting Rabbits held in October at Dunholme. Next year's date is set for Oct 18-19 2025.

Well done to all involved at 1st Caythorpe and Dukes Covert Scouts who helped at their village litter pick.

Our Patrol Leaders were absolutely amazing at the PL Training! A huge well done to all the Assistant Patrol Leaders and Patrol Leaders who got stuck in, gave everything a go, and integrated so well with other leaders from across the county. Now with a deeper understanding of their roles and newly developed skills, we’re excited to see them take on more proactive leadership within their Scout troops! Leaders watch this space for some scout shaped content from the PL’s! A big thank you to the incredible Leadership Team for organizing such a fantastic event. During the training, we asked Patrol Leaders to share what their role really involves and what Scout Leaders need to know to support them better. Based on their feedback, we’ve created this guide to help leaders understand the PL role from the young people’s perspective!