Local MSP Jackson Carlaw has voiced his delight at achieving the Scouts Scotland Youth Advocacy Award.
In June 2018, Mr Carlaw met with the Chair of the National Youth Advisory Group for Scouts Scotland and pledged that he would undertake a range of tasks that would allow him to successfully complete the award programme.
The MSP for Eastwood earned his scouting badge by visiting Scout Adventures Fordell Firs in Dunfermline, promoting issues relating to the scouts and latterly by meeting with the Pegasus ESU group at the 145th Glasgow Scouts in Giffnock.
The purpose of the programme is to give politicians a greater insight into the work that Scouts Scotland undertakes on a weekly basis.
According to the latest membership data published in May 2018, there are now 51,371 members of Scouts Scotland. The organisation has enjoyed 12 years of sustained membership growth in Scotland.
Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw said:
“I was delighted to be presented with my scouting badge and necktie on a recent visit to the 145th Glasgow Scouts group in Giffnock.
“The scouts provide young people with a fabulous opportunity to develop the key skills that will stand them in good stead for the future such as leadership, team work, resilience, motivation and not to a mention a real desire to give something back to the community.
“The scouting groups in Eastwood are a real credit to the constituency and I am delighted to support them by completing the Youth Advocacy Award.
“It is a challenge that I would certainly recommend to colleagues from across the Scottish Parliament.”
Kenneth Robertson, Explorer Scout Leader added:
“We were delighted to welcome Jackson along to receive his Scouts Scotland Youth Advocacy Award and it allowed the young people to engage with him on some issues, including mental health in young people and drug and alcohol problems, which they have chosen as part of the Unit’s community impact project for 2019.
“We are pleased to see the continued support for the important role of voluntary organisations by our MSPs”