New Scout group for Woodhouse community after national award win

A new Scout group has opened its doors in Sheffield after securing a £5,000 a national award.
James Varns pictured with Claire Williams, the Scout group leader, with helpers and ScoutsJames Varns pictured with Claire Williams, the Scout group leader, with helpers and Scouts
James Varns pictured with Claire Williams, the Scout group leader, with helpers and Scouts

The new group, which will be named 173rd Woodhouse Scout, was presented with the funding by financial mutual, OneFamily, through its Foundation Community Awards.

The annual awards provide opportunities for community organisations, groups and projects across the UK.

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James Varns entered the awards after realising that there was lack of established Scout groups in Woodhouse, which was forcing his son, and other children his age, to travel to neighbouring villages to take part in activities.

Winning the award means that James has been able to set up a Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts section, which will be suitable for children from the age of six to 14.

The money awarded will also be used to buy sports and camping equipment, which will allow the group to go on expeditions.

The Scout Group was one of 41 organisations presented with a Foundation Community Award in the latest round.

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James said: “Everyone in our community agreed that we needed a scout group, as the children were having to travel to other villages to take part in activities.

“The response to winning the award has been great. We’ve already had more than 50 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sign up, so we couldn’t have asked for a better start!”

Karl Elliott, marketing director at OneFamily, said: “We’re so pleased that we’ve been able to help get 173rd Woodhouse Scout Group off the ground. It’s so important that communities have youth groups on their doorsteps, and it’s even better when the group is suitable for all ages.”

“Our Community Awards go right to the heart of what being part of a mutual society is all about, directly benefitting our customers and the causes closest to their hearts.

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“Our next round of Community Awards is set to launch in the autumn and we’d encourage our Sheffield-based customers to get involved and nominate a cause that’s important to them.”

Through its Foundation, OneFamily redistributes a proportion of its profits back to its customers, to help them to help their families, their communities and those they care about most.

In 2016, 100,000 people directly benefited from Foundation Community Awards.

For more information about the project, and for updates, please visit the 173rd Woodhouse Scout Group project page