Scout's membership grows by one fifth in 10 years

02 May 2014 News

The Scout Association's annual census shows it has increased its members by 22 per cent to 550,000 in the last ten years.

The Scout Association's annual census shows it has increased its members by 22 per cent to 550,000 in the last ten years.

The charity today announced plans to recruit an extra 58,000 young people with the aim of reaching 500,000 Scouts by 2018.

As well as more young people, the movement is looking to recruit 18,000 new adult volunteers by 2018 as the organisation steps up its work in deprived communities.

It is currently developing a new strategy for opening units, groups and sections and will launch a revamped programme in 2015.

A government-funded pilot programme saw it recruit 1,553 more members and 315 adult volunteers in Newham, Salford, Burnley and Merseyside.

The number of female members has risen from 70,000 in 2004 to 128,000 according to this year’s annual census.

Wayne Bulpitt, UK chief commissioner at the Scouts, said: “We have a clear plan to make the movement more diverse, more community-focused and more youth-led in the next four years.”

The organisation will establish a youth council and also appoint a UK youth commissioner to represent young people and influence decisions at a senior level.