Recruitment drive announced after acute loss of adult volunteers and members during lockdowns
The Scouts lost 15,000 adult volunteers over the last year. Photograph: Scouts/PA
The Scouts lost 15,000 adult volunteers over the last year. Photograph: Scouts/PA
Thu 27 May 2021 01.00 EDT
The Scouts movement lost more volunteers and youth members in the last year than at any time since the outbreak of the second world war, as Covid lockdowns ended weekly meetings and forced helpers to step back.
Active membership slumped by a quarter over the past year, with 117,000 fewer beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers taking part. One in 10 of its adult volunteers, many of whom were key workers, have also slipped away, with the ranks of its volunteers reducing from 156,000 to 141,000 in the last year. Many adults who lost jobs or had to change jobs during the pandemic were no longer able to help.