14th Acton Scout group revamp

1. Who are we?

We are the 14th Acton Scout Group, a volunteer-led group serving young people and families in Acton. Our group has been part of the community for 97 years, helping young people learn new skills, build confidence, make friends and contribute to their community.

2. What did we deliver?

Our project combined improvements to our Scout Hut with activities encouraging our young people to take pride in their local area.

Our Scouts and leaders completed three litter picks, cleaning areas around the Scout Hut and local community. We also swept the street outside the hut and weeded and tidied the area around the building.

We completely replaced the shelving in our store room. Emptying the room, sorting the equipment and building the new storage units was a considerable job for our volunteers.

We have also started purchasing new games, activities and equipment that our children will be able to use for many years, helping them learn practical skills and work towards Scout badges.

14th Acton Scouts Hut before

14th Acton Scouts Hut store room after

3. What difference did it make?

The new shelving has made our store room safer, more organised and easier to use. The new equipment will have a long-term impact, providing resources that can be used by generations of children.

Our community activities also showed our young people that they can make a positive difference to the area where they live. We were particularly proud of how willing the children were to take part in the litter picking and cleaning the street.

4. What did we learn?

We learned that projects often involve more work than expected! Emptying the store room and building the new units took considerable time. We also learned an important lesson about litter picking: remember to arrange what happens to the rubbish afterwards!

Most importantly, we learned how enthusiastic our children are about helping their community. We were extremely proud of them.

We also discovered that people are willing to help when they are asked and given enough notice. Our advice to others is simple: don’t be afraid to ask for help.

5. What next?

We will continue sourcing games, activities and equipment that can teach our children new skills and support them in achieving their badges. These resources will benefit our young people for many years to come.

We will also continue looking for opportunities for our Cubs and Scouts to take part in litter picking, environmental activities and other community projects around Acton.

6. What would we say to others?

Get involved! You don’t need to organise a huge project to make a difference. Picking up litter, tidying a public space or giving a few hours of your time can have a real impact.

For us, the most rewarding part has been seeing our young people realise that they can make a difference themselves. They aren’t just learning about being good members of their community — they are actively becoming them.

After 97 years in Acton, we are proud to be continuing that tradition and helping ensure there is another generation of Scouting here to follow.