A SCOUT group has received over £5,000 in lottery funding for their ‘Scouting from Home’ project, which aims to help engage young people to combat feelings of isolation and feel connected during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Durham Scouts, including Beavers, as young as six-years-old to Explorers, aged 16-18, have been taking part in activities such as building bee and bug hotels and doing litter picks around their neighbourhood.

They have working remotely to earn their badges by assisting family members with household tasks and chores.

Recently, over 5,000 people from across the county, many of whom were not regular Scout members, and their families, joined Durham Scouts’ ‘Camp @ Home’ event: cooking marshmallows, writing songs, playing games, and having fun in their back-garden, before sleeping outside in a tent under the stars.

David Stokes, lead volunteer at Durham Scouts, said: “Schools have been closed; normal face-to-face Scouting was suspended in March along with other youth activities; and young people have been missing their friends and wider families.

“The funding is helping us to reach more young people who are not currently engaged in any organised youth activities and is helping us to digitally connect young people in disadvantaged communities while we cannot meet face-to-face.”

Merrick Gray, who is aged eight, and a Cub Scout at 1st Burnmoor Scouts in Durham, said: “I did a challenge where I picked up litter for seven days in a row.

“My Cubs have also written letters to the care home near our house to help them not feel lonely too.”

To find out more about funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, and how to apply, click here