What is the Members Support Fund
Chorley District have decided to create a special fund which will encourage the growth of scouting in our District. Our aim is to give every young person who wants the opportunity to be a Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer Scout the chance to do so, whatever their circumstances may be.
It is the view of the District Executive that Groups should be the first port of call for help to those families experiencing financial hardship. We recognise, however, that this is not always the case and that some groups will already have huge strains on their resources. We aim to ensure that families experiencing difficulties will have an equal opportunity of obtaining support regardless of where they live in the District.
What do we fund?
Things we could/can fund include:
- Support for youth & adult members in financial hardship to purchase uniform
- The cost of a youth member attending an activity that they may not otherwise be able to take part in
- Group subscriptions (up to a maximum of 3 terms), where the group itself is unable to provide assistance
- Training for Young Leaders
- Start up grants for all new youth sections
Things we will not fund:
- General scouting equipment e.g. camping and other activity equipment, craft materials and scout publications.
- Grants for a whole Section or Group to undertake an activity
- The repayment of loans, deficits on events or any kind of retrospective funding of this nature
- Contributions to international scouting expeditions (applications to the International Fund set up for this purpose should continue to be made to the District Treasurer)
The above lists are not exhaustive and will be regularly reviewed by the Chorley District Executive Committee.
How to apply
What is most important is to have a clear idea of what you want funded and why, what are the total costs, how much you are able to contribute yourself and how much you are asking for. If you do not have the balance, where will it come from?
You can apply by contacting the Finance & Fund Raising Committee ffr@chorleydistrictscouts.org.uk or by completing this form which will automatically go to the committee. All applications are confidential and names will not be disclosed.
All applications will be considered by the District’s Finance and Fund Raising Sub-Committee, generally via e-mail/telephone on a no names basis. The Treasurer will report to the Exec each meeting on the number of people helped and by how much without revealing any details of the individuals concerned.
Please don’t assume the answer will automatically be “Yes‟ – funds are limited and applications may often be in competition with others equally or even more deserving than yours. If you are not sure about anything, ask!
How will the Fund be financed?
The Fund will be financed from the District Levy and from outside sources.
Advice on individual ‘financial Support’ from HQ – for reference only
Financial support can be a difficult subject for individuals to discuss within their Group with other parents and Leaders. Evidence that can help make a best judgement of financial support would be if a family is in receipt of one of the following:
Free school meals*
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
An income-related employment and support allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have
an annual income that does not exceed £16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty’s
Revenue and Customs*
The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
*Free school meals are provided to all pupils in primary schools in a few areas of the country, so the other indicators are more valid in these circumstances.
Extract from Parents’ frequently asked questions about scouting (Scout Association website):
“Cost should not be a barrier to anyone taking part in Scouting and if this is an issue, you can speak to the local Section Leader in confidence.”
Chorley District Scout Council operates a hardship fund to support children who
would otherwise not be able to take part in activities provided by the Group. The funds are limited but each request will be considered on its own merits. Conditions may be imposed on any funds granted.”
Please complete this form as fully as possible for each request and press submit
Paper copies of the form are available from your Scout group and can be sent to supportfunds@chorleyscouts.org.uk