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Regional Commissioner’s Blog – July 2008 Hello All, Well, the last month has been as hectic as always and we approach the summer period when a considerable number of our Scout Groups across London will be off on their annual summer camp both here in the UK and overseas. I wish them all a great time, lots of fun, adventure and excitement! It was a privilege to attend our first ever ‘youth engagement’ event named Regenerate, in June when 16 young adults from across the region came together over the weekend to discuss a range of topics to do with Scouting in London and issues affecting young people living in London. From knife crime to reducing the voting age to 16, the young adults discussed the very things that really mean a lot to them. It was also great to be joined at the event by one of our Scouting Ambassadors Mr Jack Petchey OBE who sat in on all of the sessions. After the event, Jack told me he had found the young people present ‘totally motivating.’ We have a number of actions from the event that we will be taking forward over the coming months and we promised to run an identical event again next year! It was a pleasure to formally invest Ben Richardson as County Commissioner GLSE at an event recently and welcome him to his new role and the region. At the same time we took the opportunity again to thank and say goodbye to Diane Robertston, outgoing County Commissioner, for her tremendous work and dedication over the last few years. The Regional Development Team and myself are currently working with the Metropolitan Police and other London youth organisations on project YOU. This is a London wide project where all agencies / organisations work closely together to place young people across the capital in suitable uniformed organisations. The project is moving at great pace and has huge potential to increase both young and adult recruitment. The next Executive meeting is being hosted by myself at Gilwell Park in September and I look forward to updating you on progress later in the year. For now, we look forward to working with the Metropolitan Police and their Safer Community Teams and welcoming the first new recruits! We are only just 7 months into 2008 and I have already accepted my first invitation to join Erith and Crayford District at their annual Gangshow in April 2009! I am very much looking forward to the event and will be going out tomorrow to purchase a 2009 diary! I would like to wish all our members a great summer break and look forward to working with you all on your return in September. Happy Scouting
Dean J Milton |