ON the back of Volunteers’ Week I want to recognise the incredible work of our Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan scouting volunteers.

Today Scouting provides fun and adventure to almost 3,550 young people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. We build confidence, self-esteem and help girls and boys, young men and women aged 6-25 develop the skills and values they need to succeed in life.

But what does volunteering really mean? It’s about finding an organisation whose values align with your own. It’s about finding a cause you feel passionately about and which allows you to grow as a person. It’s about using your skills and learning new ones. For our 873 volunteers, scouting provides these opportunities. In scouting, adults as well as young people make new friends, try new things and develop skills that they use in their everyday lives. Volunteering for scouting is flexible and fits around work and volunteer commitments. We work especially hard to find roles that are matched to a person’s interests and talents.

Perhaps most importantly volunteering is about contributing something to the local community. From the chief scout, Bear Grylls, to the leader of the local beaver scout colony, every one of our volunteers makes a promise to help other people.

This year scouts are living their promise by making a positive impact in local communities through A Million Hands, a national campaign to support four key issues: improving the lives of those affected by dementia, improving the lives of the disabled, improving the mental well-being and resilience of families and ensuring everyone everywhere has access to clean water and sanitation. It’s about real, meaningful and sustainable action and it’s encouraging a new generation to really think about and support the people around them. On behalf of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan scouts, may I say a very heartfelt thank you to our volunteers. And if you feel inspired by what you’ve read, whether you’re an adult or young person, we would welcome you to the scouting family and support your development too.

Steve Evans,

Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan area commissioner