Scouting and Mosaic Piece Together Plan for More Muslim Scout Volunteers

(PRWEB) May 13, 2010 -- The Scout Association today launched a campaign with Mosaic, a charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, to encourage more members of Muslim communities to participate in volunteer work (http://www.scouts.org.uk/jta/) for Scouts.

The campaign aims to open more opportunities for young community leaders to experience the adventure of Scouting and help address the urgent need for adult volunteers to meet Scouting’s 33,500 joining list. More than 200 leading members of the Muslim community will attend the London launch event this evening.

Mosaic believes that the best way to promote higher levels of civic engagement is by encouraging people to become Scout volunteers. Like Scouting, it aims to provide opportunities and positive role models for young people.

This is the first time that the Association has partnered with a community charity championed by Muslims in the London region in such a way. Having the ability to access Mosaic’s network which covers London, South East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Midlands is particularly exciting. The Movement receives regular requests from faith-based groups for new Scout Groups - highlighting the need for leaders and the difference that this support could make to communities. There are currently 29 UK Scout Groups which have predominantly Muslim membership.

The initiative is the first annual volunteering campaign run by Mosaic and marks a departure from its usual focus on mentoring. Mosaic is the first Muslim-led organisation to promote Muslim communities’ involvement in Scouting.

To launch the campaign, Mosaic is holding a networking event for 200 of its mentors and volunteers this evening at the Royal Commonwealth Society, where it will publicly promote the Scouts' volunteering campaign for the first time. The charity’s network includes many of the UK’s most successful young Muslim professionals whose skills it hopes to harness for the benefit of young people through Scouting voluntary work (http://www.scouts.org.uk/jta/).

Moadh Kheriji, Chairman of The Scout Association's Muslim Scouts Fellowship, said: 'In launching this campaign and promoting volunteering in Scouting, Mosaic has responded to a very urgent need for new volunteers in the UK.'

Jonathan Freeman, National Operations Director UK, Mosaic, added: 'Scouting is a well loved British institution that teaches young people valuable lessons and develops key skills that will help them through life. Mosaic’s purpose is to provide inspiration and role models to young people. It seems only natural that we urge more people to take up a leadership role and inspire the thousands of children that are currently without a leader and therefore unable to take part.'

Bear Grylls is also supportive of the campaign: 'As UK Chief Scout, my aim is to encourage masses of adults in the UK to volunteer with the Scouts. Mosaic’s work to engage Muslim communities in Scouts volunteering is a fantastic idea. I would encourage Mosaic’s supporters to put themselves forward for an adventure that can make such a positive difference.'

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