Welcome Conversations
What is it and why do we do it?
The Welcome Conversation is an important part of your volunteer journey with Scouts. It’s not a test or an interview — it’s a friendly, supportive chat to help you feel confident and informed as you get started in your new role. It’s a chance for us to:
- Get to know you a little better
- Talk about our values
- Talk about our volunteer culture
- Make sure you know how we keep young people safe
- Answer any questions you might have
- Help you feel supported from the start
We want every adult who joins Scouts to feel a sense of belonging and to understand how we work — both locally and nationally. We also want to make sure each volunteer is a good fit for their role and knows what’s involved.
The Welcome Conversation, along with a few other key steps, helps make that happen. For information about the full volunteer journey, click here.
Who’s Involved?
Your Welcome Conversation will include:
- You - the new volunteer
- The person responsible for their appointment, usually the Group Lead Volunteer or Section Team Leader
- A trained Welcome Conversation Volunteer
To keep things fair and supportive, the person appointing you and the Welcome Conversation Volunteer will be two different people.
You, or the person responsible for your appointment, should arrange a Welcome Conversation to take place within 180 days of you starting your role.
Where Will It Happen?
You can have a say in where your Welcome Conversation takes place, whatever's easiest and most comfortable for you. It could be:
- Your local scout hut or meeting place
- Our District Headquarters
- A local café, library, or other quiet public space
If you're ready to arrange a Welcome Conversation, find out how to do this here.
