New Headquarters at 1st Healing Scout’s…
Chief Scout Dwayne Fields unveils the plaque at 1st Healing Scout’s brand-new HQ funded by the Youth Investment Fund
Chief Scout Dwayne Fields made a very special visit to the 1st Healing Scout Group to celebrate the opening of their brand-new headquarters. Martin Vickers MP for Brigg and Immingham joined children, young people, families to cut the ribbon and Dwayne Fields unveiled the plaque. They were joined by 1st Healing Scout Group’s volunteers and supporters, members of Healing Parish Council, funders, trustees of Healing Scouts, and architects, quantity surveyors, and project managers involved in the HQ’s construction.
A Youth Investment Fund grant of over £740K has transformed the Scout Group’s fortunes. Before securing the grant, their 1990s building was falling apart, it was cold, damp, had a leaking roof and rotten floors. The Scout Group was losing members in the winter months, because it was far too cold. With funding secured, the Scout Group demolished the old building to make way for a larger modern, warm and accessible new space. Healing Parish Council agreed to extend the Scout Group’s land to enable a bigger building that can support even more children and young people.
The new 1st Healing Scout headquarters includes a large main hall with a pitched roof to enable inside ball games, a traverse climbing wall and a brand-new kitchen, designed to encourage cooking skills, and plans are in place for an indoor archery range. The Scout Hut is warm and sustainable with underfloor heating and an air source heat pump. It’s based in a green and wooded area, and now also has an enclosed garden space. The team are working with young people on plans for a sensory garden, creating an idyllic and calm space for everyone.
Chief Scout Dwayne Fields joined children and young people to unveil the plaque and stayed for a fun afternoon of activities and an opportunity to see the amazing new Scout Hut.
Helen Watson, Chair of 1st Healing Scout Group said:
“Today is a celebration of our journey together and the dedication, team and community spirit that’s created our new Scout Hut. The Youth Investment Fund has made our dreams come true! We’d been hoping for funding for over 20 years, and we couldn’t believe our luck when we heard about the Youth Investment Fund.
We’re thrilled that Chief Scout Dwayne Fields is celebrating our grand opening, it’s the icing on the cake and so inspiring for children and young people. We now have a purpose-build bigger, warm, accessible and wonderful new space, and our future is secure. We’re excited to step into this new chapter, and looking forward to so many new adventures in our brilliant new home.”
The Youth Investment Fund is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and is delivered by Social Investment Business in partnership with Key Fund, National Youth Agency, and Resonance. The Youth Investment Fund is part of the Government’s National Youth Guarantee to transform and level up opportunities for young people in England.
