A birthday worth celebrating – and why all are welcome at Squirrels

Dear Editor,

placeholder image — Warwick Davis | Andrew Thorp

This month, Squirrels Scouts celebrates its fifth birthday.

This is good news for young people, and equally good news for Portsmouth where it’s helping 4 and 5-year-olds find a safe place to belong, gain skills and confidence, and enjoy new adventures.

There are now 30,000 Squirrels and as a proud Scouts Ambassador, I had the great privilege of joining them at Gilwell Park, London, to celebrate this amazing milestone. I was joined by Squirrels and volunteers from across the UK, includingPortsmouth to celebrate.

Today, Squirrels is reaching more families and communities than ever. One in four Squirrel Dreys are based in our most underserved communities.

This success is made possible by more than 6,000 volunteers. Together, they create welcoming places where young people can belong and grow.

From minibeast hunts to campfire treats, Squirrels has helped thousands of young people take their first steps into adventure. Through fun and friendship they develop skills for life too. Recently, a Squirrel called Conor used first aid skills learnt at Scouts to help save his mother's life when she started choking. That’s the difference it can make.

Trying something new

The young people I celebrated with this week won’t remember a world before Squirrels. But seeing them take on a climbing wall for the first time was a fantastic reminder that confidence starts with trying something new.

The growth of Squirrels has been supported by funding from Omaze, helping establish new Dreys. Five years after its launch, Squirrels continues to give young people their first taste of adventure. From tiny acorns grow mighty oaks, and the foundations for their future are already taking root.

Squirrels is for adults too – and volunteering is one of life’s most rewarding adventures. Take the leap today.

Warwick Davis OBE,

Scouts Ambassador