Wansdyke Scouts are celebrating the opening of a new Explorer Scout Unit based at Fosse Way Special School in Radstock. The first 11 members were invested recently by District Commissioner Graham Bush at a special meeting attended by senior members from Fosse Way School and Wansdyke District Scouts. Nine of the new Scouts are from Fosse Way House, a residential provision attached to Fosse Way School for students aged 11-19 with autism.
 
Graham Bush said. “Scouting aims to be an equitable, diverse and inclusive movement. Our purpose is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. The volunteer leaders, which include staff from the Fosse Way House team, have worked together to provide a balanced programme around three main themes: outdoor and adventure, the world around us and skills for life, and have ensured that it has been adjusted to meet the needs of the young people within the Unit.”

He continued by thanking the head teacher Fiona Skinner and the staff at Fosse Way School for their support in helping to set up and accommodate the new Unit.

Fiona Skinner said: “It’s wonderful to see how much enjoyment the young people, and staff, get from participating in this new group. Our students have additional needs and it’s fantastic that this SEND Scout Group has been set up to work with them. It will also be great to see the mutual benefits that the other groups in Wansdyke will gain from working with the Fosse Way students on their joint tasks.”

Photo: some of the newly invested Fosse Way Explorer Scouts
Photo: some of the newly invested Fosse Way Explorer Scouts

Words and photo by John Mander