Brigade recruits

I refer to your article, “Be prepared for the Scottish Scout boom” (20 April). This is welcome news not only for the Scouts, but for all involved in structured youth work in Scotland.

I know, from our own organisation, the Boys’ Brigade, that there has been something of a renaissance in the past year and we have also increased in numbers, with 1,200 new members joining in 2012/13.

This is the first increase in numbers in more than a decade.

I think this reinforces the fact that both the Scouts and the Boys’ Brigade, as well as the Guides and Girls’ Brigade, have moved with the times and offer engaging and relevant activities for young people, such as outdoor and adventure pursuits as well as giving them the opportunity to make new friends for life.

With an increase in members comes a need for more leaders and, as the Boys’ Brigade heads into its 130th year, we are looking to recruit more adults to help run our 450 groups across Scotland. Age and gender are not important. All that we ask is that they are passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people.

Bill Stevenson

Director, Scotland

The Boys’ Brigade

Carronvale Road

Larbert