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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

relating to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation

Released 16th March 2020

We have been asked to suspend weekly face to face meetings by the Government until further notice.
This action is designed to keep young people, volunteers and families safe.
It is likely that this suspension of activity will last well into the summer term.
We will be in touch with parents when the programme resumes later in the year.

Late this afternoon, the Prime Minister has said that everyone in the UK should now avoid non-essential travel and contact with others.

Suspension of face-to-face activities

Given this guidance, all face-to-face Scout meetings, activities and events must be suspended from Tuesday, 17 March 2020. This suspension applies to young people and adults, and will be until further notice.

We must continue to respond to the developing situation in a calm, measured and appropriate way. We will continue to follow official guidance. The safety of everyone involved in Scouts, both young people and adults, is our number one priority. That is always at the heart of our decision making.

Government advice

The Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage is frequently updated as things develop, so please check it regularly at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Scout trips abroad

We asked the Government (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) for clarity about youth groups travelling abroad, as the current advice only specifies school trips. We will let you know when we receive an update.

As well as the Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website has the latest information, guidance and travel advice, along with details of any restrictions – which must be followed.

Scouting at home

We are planning to share activities for young people to do at home with their parents if families are faced with self-isolation. We will be communicating more about this soon.

Keeping you updated

The Government have now committed to daily briefings. So we can keep you up to date, we have created a webpage: scouts.org.uk/coronavirus which we'll update from tomorrow.

What we do

Scouting in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Much Hadham provides fun, challenge and adventure to over 1000 young people aged 6 to 25 and is growing.

We help provide young people with skills for life and encourage them to do more, learn more and be more.

Each week UK Scouting gives over 460,000 young people the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed, now and in the future.

Young people experience teamwork, leadership and resilience – skills that have helped Scouts become everything from teachers and social workers to astronauts and olympians.

We believe in bringing people together, celebrating diversity and standing against intolerance. We are a worldwide movement over over 30 million, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.