About Us

Scouting provides adventurous activities and personal development opportunities for young people aged 4-25. Personal development means promoting the individual’s physical, intellectual, social, and emotional well-being, helping them achieve their full potential. In Scouting, we believe that young people develop most when they are ‘learning by doing,’ when they are given responsibility, work in teams, take acceptable risks, and think for themselves.

Scouting in West Coker

West Coker Scout Group has been running since 1909 within the village, supporting adventurous opportunities and activities for young people from all over West Coker and their neighboring parishes.

West Coker Scout Group runs the full range of sections within the scout association starting with the Squirrels (new section), Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts. We also host an explorer unit (14 – 18 years) for East Somerset District at our Headquarters.

The West Coker Team

We have over 30 adult volunteers within our Group, making Scouting possible for over 100 young people between – 25 every day! Below are our Group team who are responsible for Scouting within West Coker.

Meet the team

The Group Trustee Board

The  Board of Trustees of the Scout Group  exists to support the Group Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment and to provide support for Scouting sections within the Group.

The Group Board of Trustees meets regularly throughout the year and has committed itself to becoming an exemplar of good governance practice. It developed and approved a budget aligned to the plan and forecast forward 3-5 years.  It has adopted ways of working that will facilitate the achievement of the plan and will provide a transparent approach to governance and decision-making.

Governance & annual reports

Inclusion & Access Support Fund
One of the priorities of our Group Plan is promoting inclusion and offering access to Scouting opportunities for all..  We want Scouting to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and as diverse as the communities in which we live.
The Trustee Board has agreed on a special fund, that can be accessed by your child. You or your child can apply to gain financial help with practical things that will help make taking part in Scouting more accessible, especially to those who are under-represented or from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This could be to help with subs, go on summer camp, a beaver fun day, to buy a uniform, an international camp or some kit needed for an expedition. If you need some support and you are a member of our group or partnership Explorer Unit, then we want to hear from you. contact: GSL@westcokerscouts.co.uk

Second hand uniform
The group provides a range of second-hand uniforms for young people and adults who may not have the funds to be able to purchase new from the Scout Shop. We would love the uniform to be used so please approach your section leader to find out what clothing and sizes are available.
We also welcome any uniform or Scouting items including hike boots, rucksacks, roll mats etc that are not needed anymore so we can support future prospective members to access Scouting in West Coker.

Work with us – partnership opportunities – get in touch link

If you have a business that can offer pro bono or charity rate services or employee volunteering; a skill that you think we may be able to use or an idea to help us fundraise, then please do get in touch.

Perhaps you can help us advertise Scouting and recruit volunteers through your internal communications channels?

Scouting only happens because of volunteers offering their time, donors offering their money, supporters helping us to fundraise, communicate and support adult volunteers, and businesses offering us exciting partnerships.

If you would like to know more about how you can help us, please contact us, or fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you.

Donate – how to donate link

Make a difference to the lives of children and young people across our community.
Your gift will help us to develop the adventurous activities we offer to our thousands of youth members. With your help we can offer Scouting to even more children and young people including the young people who are currently on our waiting list.

By post
Alternatively, you can send your donation as a cheque to:
1st West Coker Scout Group addressed to: Peter Divall, 1st West Coker Scout Group, Group Scout leader, 5 Kingston View, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4BZ Please do not send cash.

If you would like to talk to someone about your donation, please e-mail our Group lead volunteer

Don’t forget to Gift Aid it
Gift Aid is a simple government initiative that allows you to increase the value of your donations at no extra cost to you. For every pound you give, West Scouts, we can claim an extra 25 pence from HM Revenue & Customs, helping your donation to go further.

To be eligible for Gift Aid, you must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that you donate to will reclaim on your donations for that tax year. Taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. This also applies if you pay tax on your savings, pension plan or investment income.

When sending a donation please complete our Gift Aid registration form