A CALL is going out for adults to volunteer and help make a difference to the lives of young people.

The 1st Charmouth Scout Group has embarked on a major adult recruitment drive - and has put up a banner at their headquarters at the Barrs Lane Recreation Ground.

Joint group leader Karen Southcott said: “We decided to use a 3x1 metre banner showing Bear Grylls, Steve Backshaw, Ellie Simmonds plus various other Scout Association Ambassadors as our focal point. Its key message is 'Scouts was good for us. We think it could be good for you too'.

"We hope everyone visiting the recreation ground where our HQ is located will notice it, recognise the ambassadors and consider offering to help out.”

Fellow leader Melanie Harvey added: “Volunteering works both ways. Our members get to do more activities, and adults gain in a number of important ways.

"A recent Scout survey revealed that the most common benefits reported were: enjoyment (93%): a sense of personal achievement (90%); and feeling that they were making a difference (90%). Furthermore, 77% agreed it improved their mental health and wellbeing. Researchers also found that participants ages 16-24 and 55-74 were especially likely to benefit from volunteering, perhaps because of the opportunity to build social connections.”

The group is also putting Bear Grylls posters up locally and asking its current parents to hand flyers out to friends, colleagues and family members.

Karen added: “Extra help is needed in four of our sections, so any volunteers can choose which age range, from 6-17, they would feel most comfortable working with."

Anyone interested in finding out more about how they can help is invited to attend a 'Volunteering is Good for You' meeting at the Scout Hut on Tuesday, March 29, 7pm-8pm, or contact Karen on 07799 500720 or Melanie on 07890 540979.