At Scouts everyone’s welcome; all genders, races and backgrounds. We also have a clear purpose: to help young people gain skills for life so they can step up and play an active part in society. It sounds simple, but keeping our promise to support young people, and committing to that purpose, is something we work on every day.

Each week we give almost half a million 4-24 year-olds across the UK the chance to meet, develop, discover and grow.  They develop skills that have become even more important in these challenging times. We help young people to dream big and play a key role in their communities. We build partnerships with a purpose.

Having a purposeful business or brand has never been more important. Authenticity is key. By working with us, our partners build positive brand awareness, engage with our young people, our incredible volunteers and all their families. A partnership with Scouts builds connections to the wider community, while aligning with a trusted and globally recognised brand.

Our partnerships build trust. According to Havas’ Meaningful Brands Survey 2021, we are entering ‘the age of cynicism.’ Brands are seen as untrustworthy and failing to deliver on their promises. Despite this, consumers are keen to support brands that make a meaningful difference and will act now for the good of society and the planet. According to the survey, 64% of people prefer to buy from companies with a reputation for purpose as well as profit.  A recent IPSOS Mori survey commissioned by Scouts, showed that 54% of UK adults have a clear connection with Scouts. Our members are your customers and colleagues. Three quarters of those asked said they’d look favourably on a business that helps young people gain skills for life, and would be more likely to shop there.

Our partnerships recognised in this year’s CEA2021 are perfect examples of how we help businesses and organisations be authentic in their ambitions to be brands with more purpose. We deliver through support for our programme, for our people and positive perception: – the three key pillars of our strategy.

Nominet’s support for our Digital Citizen Badge shows a company at the heart of internet infrastructure living up to its mission of ‘profit with a purpose.’ It’s about exercising its responsibility to promote a safer culture delivering technology, safely, and for the public good.

The outcomes exceeded expectations: more than 62,000 leaders downloaded new activities to teach Scouts digital skills, huge multi-media launch coverage, alongside mention in a Parliamentary Committee about the key work Scouts and Nominet were doing in this area. Our main driver will always be outcomes for young people. However, this project has also raised awareness of Nominet’s public benefit and educational work, enhancing their reputation of delivering expertise and excellence within the sector.

Scouts is about bringing people together, making connections and sharing experiences – all to help children gain skills for life. But from March 2020, the pandemic meant that 7,000+ Scout Groups across the UK had to close their doors. Young people were cut off from their friends, increasing loneliness and isolation.

Zoom allowed Scouts to continue in local communities, including those most impacted by the pandemic. It’s provided over 231 million minutes of Zoom sessions for 400,000 young people supported by 150,000 adult volunteers. For many, it’s been a lifeline – and the only time they got to see their friends each week. It has positioned Zoom not only as a leader in video communications, but as a responsible organisation contributing to increased wellbeing and support for young people at a time of national crisis. It’s also proved Scouts’ ability to adapt and think differently, responding to a national need at a critical time.

Thank you to Nominet and Zoom, and to all our partners with whom we work for a clear purpose.

Good for you.