Meet the Team

Welcome Everyone!! As Group Scout Leader it’s my job to keep the “show on the road” aided by the amazing team.
I think it’s only fair to remind everyone that all our leaders and executive members are volunteers, giving up hours and hours of their time to provide young people with amazing and memorable experiences. I personally can’t thank them enough!

My main role is around supporting the adult volunteers. This might be around the recruitment of new adult volunteers. We are constantly looking for new adult volunteers, so if you can spare any time please get in touch!!!  I also ensure the leader training programme is being complete, all our leaders are required to complete training, this might be in first aid, safeguarding young people, how to deliver a scout programme or support young people with additional needs, we even train for camping. I also support with general issues in running the sections and from time to time help run a session, if adult numbers are low. I also aim to try and coordinate a Group Camp every two years.

As 25th Beechgrove are in a fortunate position in owning their Scout Hut, I also have a responsibility to ensure this is managed well and things are kept in order, linking in with the executive members. My role is endless from cleaning toilets, changing light bulbs, checking the integrity of the building, to sorting camping equipment, every day is different, challenging and rewarding!

I was a Brownie Leader for 20 years and joined 25th Beechgrove Beavers as an occasional parent helper when my son was a Beaver. I then became Assistant Leader and became Beaver Leader 3 years ago. Thanks to Ryan, Lewis and Maz, I’ve managed to take the Beavers to a few camps and sleepovers. I love helping the Beavers obtain their badges. The look on their face when they get a badge is fab, it’s great to see their sense of achievement. I’m known to get a lump in my throat when I award them their badge.

Outside Beavers, I’m a Neonatal Transport Nurse in the Scottish Ambulance Service and love cooking and coffee.

I originate from Peterhead where I was a Brownie and then progressed to Guides. On moving to Aberdeen where I completed a college course, qualifying as a Medical Secretary I wished to continue my involvement in youth organisations. Following in the footsteps of my mum (who previously had been a leader with 25th Beechgrove Cubs) I decided to become an Assistant Section Leader where I have spent many years.

I started my scouting experience in 1st Lhanbryde and Urquhart Scout Group. Where I was a Beaver, Cub and Scout before moving onto Moray Explorers. My scouting experience has been incredible, from weekend camping to week camps. I have been apart of patrols competing in Area Flag to Regional Flag. I was also very fortunate to attend Blair Athol twice, and be apart of a team who represent the North East of Scotland at a World Jamboree in Thailand. I have also taken part in many international camps and activity weeks away.

My leader experience started young completing my Duke of Edinburgh award. Over the years, I have volunteered my time at many groups in all sections. When I went to university in 2006, I thought I would give Scouting a break but six months later, I decided to come back to it and by chance ended up with 25th Beechgrove. I started as the Assistance Beaver Leader, then took on the role of Beaver Leader. Once my university studies ended I wanted more of a challenge and to arrange more camping (back then Beavers could only do one night away, indoors and the whole thing needed to be done within 24hours) so myself and Helen swapped roles and I took on Cub Leader and Helen took on Beavers. Nowadays I would like to believe that my “trade” is in being a Cub Leader but as leaders come and go or need time away due to work commitments or health reasons, I have got involved in the Beaver and Scout Sections. I like to think this helps me and the young people connect with each section, but I think it confuses me more, as I am often corrected by the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to which section I am in that evening.

Some would say I am notorious for not explaining a plan well but thinking people understand it, so if you have a question please ask, its likely I have thought I have answered it, when I haven’t or I might not have an answer (apologies now for when you come to help out and I have seen a Facebook or YouTube video but have not done a “Blue Peter” and you are left to try out the new amazing activity for the first time!). I am also a slow email replier, I dream of the day we decide to bring back snail mail, I promise I am not ignoring, I have ordinarily read the email and thought I will reply later, please feel free to chase me up or grab me at the start or end of the session. My aim is to try and deliver an amazing cub programme where the Cubs will attain as many badges as possible. Please let me know if I am not getting this right for your young person, so the leadership team can have an opportunity to try and get it sorted for them.

In 2011 I agreed to help Ryan for one night at Templars Park with the promise of pizza after. One night has now turned into 9 years and countless Beaver, Cub and Scout camps. Even though some nights can be very noisy, I really enjoy helping our young Scouts have a fun experience, learn important life skills and make new friendships outside of a school setting. 

My favourite part of Scouting has been rediscovering camping, although Ryan would likely describe me as more of a glamper, there is nothing better than a smore and songs around a campfire.

Outside of Scouts I work as a Co-ordinator helping a team to install fast internet across Aberdeen. I also enjoy growing food at my allotment, socialising with friends, and walking my spaniels Islay and Tiree.

My Scouting journey began at this group when I was invested as a Beaver and I have never looked back, working my way through the various sections and now undertaking a leadership role. I have benefited greatly from Scouting and decided to give back to something that I am passionate about.

I have been a Young Leader and Assistant Section Leader at Cubs before recently taking on the commitment of Scout Leader. I am looking forward to creating more memorable experiences with the group, in particular the Scouts.

I am currently a student at Robert Gordon University studying Business Management with a part-time job at The Chester Hotel.

I first got into Scouting with the 1st City of Aberdeen Scout Troop where I was a Beaver, Cub & Scout before eventually becoming a Young Leader. Scouting was always something I enjoyed so it seemed only natural that I give back to the organisation as a volunteer. Therefore, when Lewis approached me to become a leader at the Scout Troop it was an easy decision to make.

I’m currently a Student at the University of Strathclyde so you may not see me as regularly as Lewis but whenever I am back in Aberdeen, you’ll always be able to find me at Scouts on a Friday night or at any of the camps we run.

I first got involved with the 25th Beechgrove Scout Group when my eldest son joined 29 years ago.  When my younger son joined I became a regular parent helper and then Assistant Leader – that was 22 years ago.  I then became Cub Scout Leader, a role I swapped for Beaver Scout Leader with Ryan McGregor.  In 2015 I stepped back to become an Assistant Leader but took over the role of Treasurer for the Group.

I have enjoyed all my roles within the Scout Group and it is great to see it thriving.

I work full time for an oil tools manufacturing company.