30/10/2026
🐿️ MEET THE TEAM - 10 QUESTIONS WITH CHERRY! 💜
Following the fantastic response to our recent volunteer Q&A, we thought we’d introduce you to another member of our leadership team!
This time we’re chatting with Lyndsey, known to our young people as Cherry, our Squirrel Team Leader at 5th Canvey Island Air Scouts.
Now, some of you will know that Lyndsey is also my wife! As well as leading our Squirrel section and helping out with Beavers, she’s a huge support to me in my role running the Group.
There’s an awful lot that goes on behind the scenes at 5th Canvey, and Lyndsey is always there to offer advice, help out, listen to my ideas (and occasionally my frustrations!) and generally keep me going. Scouting takes up a fair bit of our family life, and I certainly couldn’t do what I do without her support.
But enough from me! Lyndsey has been volunteering with us for over 10 years, so we asked her about her experiences, what keeps her coming back and what she’d say to someone thinking about joining our team.
💬 1. How did you first get involved in Scouting?
I actually started off as a parent on the Group Committee. A friend then asked if I’d help out at Beavers, and that was over 10 years ago! I’m still here! 😂
💬 2. You’re now our Squirrel Team Leader. What’s the best thing about working with our youngest members?
I worked in childcare for many years, mainly with this age group, so it’s something I’ve always enjoyed.
I love watching their personalities develop. At 4 to 6 years old, they’re all so different, and it’s lovely seeing them grow in confidence and come out of their shells.
💬 3. What’s been one of your proudest moments in Scouting?
Definitely seeing our very first group of Squirrels achieve their Chief Scout’s Acorn Awards.
Watching those little ones work towards something and achieve it is such a proud moment, both for them and for us as leaders.
💬 4. What would you say to someone who thinks they don’t have the skills to volunteer?
We all have our own strengths!
You might not realise it, but I’m sure you’ll have skills that would be useful to our Group. Nobody is expected to be good at everything. We all bring something different to the team.
💬 5. Have you ever had one of those days where you’ve wondered why you volunteer?
YES!! 😂
Scouting can be tiring, especially when you’ve already had a busy day.
But then you see the children’s smiles, watch them achieve something they’ve been working towards, and it reminds you why you do it.
💬 6. What’s one of your funniest memories from Scouting?
Watching the leaders scream more than the kids on the rides at Disneyland Paris! 😂🎢
I think some of the adults were more terrified than the children! It’s not just the young people who have fun on our adventures!
💬 7. What’s the adult volunteer team like at 5th Canvey?
We have a fab team at 5th Canvey, both new and old!
We’ve been friends with many of our fellow volunteers for years. It’s a really lovely group of people, and there’s a great sense of friendship within the team.
💬 8. How do you find the time to volunteer alongside everything else in life?
Scouting does take up a lot of our time, I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t!
But that’s why having more volunteers is so important. The more people we have helping, the more we can share the workload.
You don’t have to give up all your spare time. Just give as much as you can. Every bit of help makes a difference.
💬 9. What would you say to someone who’s nervous about coming along for the first time?
Don’t be nervous!
We’re a very welcoming group with volunteers of all different ages.
Just pop along, meet everyone and get a feel for the Group. There’s no need to worry about knowing everything or having loads of experience.
💬 10. Finally, why do you continue to give your time to 5th Canvey, and why should someone else consider it?
My own children got so much out of Scouting, and that’s a big reason why I give my time back to the Group.
It’s so rewarding watching the children learn new things, grow in confidence and achieve things they might never have thought they could do.
Knowing you’ve played a little part in that makes it all worthwhile. 💜
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⚜️ COULD YOU BE PART OF OUR TEAM?
Lyndsey’s story is a great example of how volunteering often begins. A parent helping out, a friend asking for a hand, or someone simply deciding to give it a try.
Before you know it, you’re making memories, building friendships and helping young people achieve amazing things.
At 5th Canvey Island Air Scouts, we’re currently looking for more adult volunteers, particularly to support our Squirrel and Cub sections.
✅ No previous Scouting experience needed
✅ Free DBS checks and training provided
✅ Friendly, supportive team
✅ Flexible volunteering - give the time you can
✅ The chance to make a genuine difference to local young people
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be willing to give it a go!
📩 Drop us a message if you’re interested. We’d love to invite you along for a chat, show you what we do and introduce you to the team.
Who knows, you might still be here in 10 years, just like Lyndsey! 😂🐿️
