Our YouShape Strategy
Place to Shape Scouting
Youth-shaped Scouting is about more than asking young people what they want to do next week.
We want young people across South London to shape their experience, have their voice heard and acted on, take on meaningful responsibility and influence the decisions that affect them.
Our Youth Shaped Strategy 2026–2035 sets out how we'll make that happen, moving youth-shaped Scouting from an occasional activity to an expectation across every section, Group, District and County team.
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Download the full Youth Shaped Strategy 2026–2035
From consultation to genuine influence
Across South London, young people are already helping plan programmes, lead activities, shape events and influence decisions. But those opportunities aren't yet consistent everywhere.
Our strategy is about moving from:
Youth-shaped Scouting happening in parts → happening everywhere
Opportunities available to some → opportunities accessible to all
Young people being consulted → young people leading and shaping decisions.
The YouShape Climbing Wall
The YouShape Climbing Wall is a simple way to think about how much genuine influence young people have.
It recognises that youth-shaped Scouting isn't an on/off switch. Sometimes young people are consulted, sometimes decisions are shared, and sometimes young people can take the lead themselves.
You don't need every activity to be completely youth-led. Instead, look at where you are now and ask:
Could we move one step higher?
Could young people have more choice, more influence or more responsibility next time?
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Our seven priorities
Place to Shape Your Experience
Young people shape what they do, not just take part.
Young people should help create, plan, deliver and review their programme rather than simply choosing between activities adults have already designed.
Place to Lead
Young people develop leadership skills and take on real responsibility.
We want leadership opportunities to grow throughout a young person's Scouting journey, from small responsibilities in sections through to Young Leaders, Network and adult volunteering.
Place to Have Your Voice Heard
Young people are listened to and see their ideas acted on.
We'll strengthen opportunities for young people to share their views and make sure they can see what changes as a result.
Place to Make Decisions
Young people are part of real decision making.
Young people should have opportunities to contribute to leadership teams, projects, governance and strategic decisions.
Place to Shape Events
Young people design and deliver events.
We want more events to be designed with and by young people, with their involvement built into planning from the beginning.
Place to Achieve
Young people achieve their potential and are recognised for it.
We'll make pathways to awards, leadership opportunities and achievements clearer, better supported and more widely celebrated.
Place to Make a Difference
Young people create change in their communities.
We'll support young people to take social action, engage with decision makers and turn the issues they care about into positive change.
What can I do?
You don't need to deliver the whole strategy tomorrow.
Start with your next meeting, activity, camp or decision.
Ask young people. Listen to them. Act on what they say. Give them opportunities to lead.
And use the Climbing Wall to ask whether you could give them one step more influence next time.
Shaped by young people. Led by young people.
Young people already have a voice.
Our job is to make sure it is heard, valued and acted on — every time.