Warwickshire Scout Lodge No. 9648

Freemasonry supports Scouting

 

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity ( www.grandcharity.org ) has recently confirmed a grant of £500,000 to The Scout Association to assist with the development of Scouting and specifically to make sure young people get the chance to do more outdoor activities. This grant will be paid over five years.

 

Why has the Grand Charity donated this money?

The Grand Charity is a registered charity that donates money to support the work of other charities in the areas of youth opportunities, medical research, vulnerable people and hospices.  All monies donated by The Grand Charity come from the 330,000 Freemasons who are members of over 8,600 Lodges in towns and cities across England and Wales.

 

Both Scouting and Freemasonry aim to help people develop a sense of purpose, personal responsibility, care and service.  Many Freemasons were formerly Scouts and some still are.  The Grand Charity recognises that Scouting does good work in helping young people to develop and wants to help The Scout Association to achieve more.  

 

How will the money be used?

The money will help support getting more young people taking part in outdoor activities and to join youth organisations.  This campaign will help Scouting to reach more young people, including the 30,000 that are on waiting lists for Scout Groups up and down the country.  

 

The funds will be available through small grants made to local

 

groups and applications can be made through the Development Grants Board

 

Grants could be made to help organise local events, to publicise activities, to recruit new leadership teams, to start a new Scout Group, to support adventurous or unusual or challenging activities or anything else that you think will help to get Scouting started and outdoor activities running where they don’t at present.

 

What other support is there?

In addition to the new funding that will help Scouts do more outdoor activities local Freemasons may be able to offer additional help and support. This support may take the form of providing premises for team meetings, offering advice and help to get organising committees and Group Executives off the ground, advising on fundraising or providing a range of the professional and practical skills that all volunteer groups find so necessary.  You can contact Lodges through the local Provincial Office (similar to a Scout County or Area) which may be found at:

http://www.ugle.org.uk/provinces/lodges/hlodges.htm . .

 

Indeed, some Lodges have been formed specifically for people with an interest in Scouting and other forms of youth work.  These Lodges are part of the Kindred Lodges Association ( www.KindredLodges.org.uk ).  It is worth asking if the province has a Kindred Lodge in their area.  Or you can contact the Kindred Lodges Association through www.KindredLodges.org.uk.

 

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