Your District Team

My name is Nadia, and I have the honour of being the Lead Volunteer for Blackdown, a role I share with Andy Milsted.

I have been District Commissioner since 2022 and work closely with the Commissioners of Moors and Coastal and East District, to make up the County of Somerset Scouts. Together we want to grow the County and our Districts to offer each young person a chance to Scout and reap the wonderful benefits this brings.

Here in Blackdown, we live in such a diverse District, from small single Section Groups up to huge Groups offering every Section! But one thing is sure; all of our Leaders and helpers want to pass on the passion that is Scouting!

My involvement with Scouting started in 2013 when my son was in Cubs and they were desperate for help; in the years since, my daughter and other family members have also joined as Leaders in Groups and at District Level.

My own story took me to being a leader in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and then as the Group Scout Leader. This helped me to see how we can all fit in, but through it all my favourite part of scouting is being outside with young people!

Most weekends in the summer I can be found camping in woods, playing wide games, lighting a fire, going on a hike or paddling down a river and these are usually with our wonderful scouts – perhaps at a Group, District or County camp!

I am also passionate about the responsibilities and fun that the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme can bring and have ensured this is now a yearly fixture in our Blackdown calendar.

I challenge you to find anything more enriching than watching young people learn and grow.

Nadia

My first memories of Scouting go way back as a Cub, when I was a member of Trull Scout Group. Since leaving Taunton to go to University in Southampton, I joined a Sea Scout Troup as a Scout Leader. Then after a few years, moved on to helping the Explorer Unit as ESL.

Sarah and I moved back to Taunton in November 2018, which has given me the opportunity to take on this exciting role in my old home county.

I am Jess, the Blackdown Scouts Programme Lead for Cubs.

I became involved in Scouting in the early 1960’s as a Cub Instructor. Over the years the Cub Section has been my favourite; holding a variety of roles from Cub Instructor up to ACC Cubs. During this time the Wolf Cubs became Cub Scouts so every Section had ‘Scouts’ in their title.

After 10 years as DC I moved to a supportive and admin mode. Less time spent with young people and more in supporting adults with their appointment and training. Currently I am ADC General Duties and it is interesting how many ‘jobs/tasks’ that title seems to cover. I produce the monthly District Newsletter, help prepare the Annual Report, oversee the census and so on. District Administrator role means dealing with DBS, inputting info onto Compass and the County database. Training up Group Administrators to do the DBS role for their Group has been most useful – less work for me!

I believe in what Scouting can offer both to young people and adults. As long as everyone has fun and enjoyment in what they undertake the future of Scouting in Blackdown District is ensured.

Scarlett is a Queen’s Scout and a Duke of Edinburgh Gold recipient, so is well placed to be our Top Awards Advisor.  She is currently an assistant beaver leader at 1st Taunton (Wilton) and also at a Group in Plymouth, where she is at university.

Contact Erica and Michael if you wish to enquire about Network. Anyone aged between 18 – 25 is able to join!

I joined as a Cub and decided quite quickly that one day I’d like to be a leader. I have been involved with scouting ever since. As the district youth lead I work with young people get their opinions heard by the district Board of trustees and to help leaders to deliver their exciting programme ideas. You may have seen me doing youth forums or helping young people earn part of their YouShape badge at district camp. If you want me to come and run a programme planning evening or help your yourng people earn more of their YouShape badge, then please drop me an email using the contact button above!