Bear Grylls visits Prior's Court to witness Scout investiture of nine residents
Chief Scout and world-famous adventurer Bear Grylls paid a visit to Hermitage to witness the investiture of some Prior’s Court residents into the Scouting movement.
The chief ambassador of World Scouting visited the educational and residential centre for young people with complex autism on Monday, July 4, to see the formal welcoming of nine into the 2nd Chieveley Scout group.
All nine young people made their Scout promise, received their Scout scarves, and received a number of Scout badges they have earned since the groups started meeting in March 2022.
Mr Grylls said: “It was a huge privilege to witness the investitures and see nine young people welcomed into Scouting.
“Scouting works hard to make sure there are no barriers to any young person who wants to join. This is a great example of how Scouting can be creatively adapted to suit the needs of this particular set of young people.
“I am so proud that Scouting can help them develop key life skills that they will find invaluable in the years to come.”
Four of the nine are part of the Scouts Troop (for 10- to 14-year-olds) with the other five being part of the Scout Network (for 18- to 25-year-olds).
Over the past four months the Scout Troop and Scout Network provision have been working towards their world faith, craft and forester badges.
The activities they have taken part in to help earn these badges have included planting trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy project, visiting a mosque to learn more about Islam and using craft activities to explore different cultures.
Group Scout leader Siobhan Walter, who is also prior insight administrator at Prior’s Court, said: “This Scout group is like any other – those taking part are learning skills that they will use and later life and will be awarded badges, to recognise that these skills have be learned.
“Not only do they have fun but they are also making an active difference to their community and engaging in activities to develop a keen sense of belonging.
“It was lovely to see the nine young people make their Promise and formally enter the world of Scouting under the eye of the Chief Scout.”
She added: “I want to say a huge thank you to 1st Chieveley Scout Group, and in particular Trevor Glue, for their huge amount of support in setting up 2nd Chieveley.
“I also want to say thanks to all of the Prior’s Court staff members who have dedicated their time to ensuring the group has got off to such a great start.”
