Explorers
During the Design Phase, we developed a product proposal, that approached three of the four key areas for development. Focusing on youth led outcomes for young people we also developed a new set of youth outcomes and means for measurement of impact. To support the delivery of the test and learn we also developed a set of 40 resources, that supported the delivery of the new proposition.
Working alongside the Scout Association, over the course of two years, my role focused on the redevelopment of the 14-24 youth provisions within Scouts. Taking a design thinking approach, that centred young people as co-designers and decision makers, we worked in a phased approach that will lead to the relaunch of the Explorers provision in 2026 and the Network Provision in 2027.
Through this role I introduced youth led practice to the Scout Association, building significant networks of young people within and outside of scouting, from which we established a diverse and representative youth panel, who formed our key decision making mechanism and who represented multiple experiences of young people today.
During my time working on this project I delivered the Discovery and Design Phases, establishing a thorough understanding of current needs of generation Alpha and producing a non formal learning programme structure that allowed young people to engage in meaningful activities and increase confidence and soft skills.
During the Discovery Phase we spoke to over 3,000 young people and volunteers involved in Scouts to understand current experience and needs for the future. We Identified four key areas for development;
Fun and Impactful Programme
Wellbeing of young people
Employability Skills
Strong brand identity
A Deeper look
Discovery
During the Discovery Phase of the Programme of Work, we conducted in depth research into young people’s experiences within and outside of Scouts, worked with our international Scouting community; WOSM to understand how Scouting was delivered globally. We also developed relationships with other youth work organisations, and delivered workshops for volunteers and young people to discuss their experiences.
Throughout this process we focused on what young people needed from youth provisions, considering the dynamic and ongoing social changes. From the data we collected and synthesised we developed a set of four recommendations based around the following themes:
Fun and Impactful Programme
Wellbeing of young people
Employability Skills
Strong brand identity
We also produced a comprehensive Discovery Report for internal audiences, and a shorter report for engaged external audiences.
Design
Our design phase focused on three main outcomes for young people; fun and impactful programme, Wellbeing and Employability Skills. During the Design phase we co-designed outcomes with young people through a mix of online and in person workshops, surveys and self-led activities.
We developed a product proposition of the 14-18 programme that reflected both the discovery work and co-design. The product proposition introduced Project Based Learning methodologies throughout out the programme and diversified our offer, to ensure all young people could achieve within Scouts.
Test and Learn
The 14-18 Product Proposition has started a test and learn phase, which will complete in June 2026, ahead of proposed launch in September 2026. To ensure that there was a robust testing programme I developed a Theory of Change, Evaluation Framework, Evaluation and Data Collection tools and an Impact Framework.
