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Where Work Meets Adventure: How Paul Walker Turns Skills Into Scouting Magic For most people, work and volunteering live in separate worlds. For Paul Walker, they collide — and that collision creates adventure. A chartered surveyor by profession, Paul spends his days advising landowners, walking fields, and solving complex rural challenges. “If it’s on the ground, over the ground or under the ground, then we can probably help somebody,” he says of his job. What he didn’t expect was how naturally those same skills would shape his Scouting journey. His expertise first pulled him into major events when he was asked to help negotiate land agreements for the Essex International Jamboree. That simple request snowballed into years of involvement. “I was contacted to see if I could help liaise with the landowner… and for whatever reason, I was asked to report to the committee,” he recalls. Before long, he was Deputy Chief — then Joint Chief — helping transform empty fields into unforgettable experiences. The crossover didn’t stop there. His land knowledge became vital during the 2007 World Scout Jamboree, where he helped secure sites, oversee infrastructure, and literally build a temporary city. “I only actually had three jobs — design it, build it and take it down,” he jokes, though the scale was anything but small. What makes Paul’s story powerful is how naturally work skills can unlock adventure for young people. Whether negotiating a campsite, planning a layout, or understanding how land behaves, his professional world becomes a toolkit for Scouting. And yet, despite the global events and huge responsibilities, Paul insists the heart of it all is still Friday nights with his troop. “That’s the most important bit because it’s front and centre with the young people.” His journey is a reminder to every volunteer: your day job might just be the key to someone else’s next great adventure

In this episode, Anna chats to Taylor about flexible volunteering, governance and what it really means to be a Scout trustee. Working full-time in corporate governance, Taylor brings her professional skills to 33rd Norwich Scout Group, helping shape long-term strategy, sustainability and community impact. She also gives up annual leave to volunteer at large-scale events like the Essex and Norfolk International Jamborees, proving Scouting doesn’t have to mean a weekly commitment. From trustee boards to tents in fields, this conversation explores the many ways adults can give their time — and why even the “behind the scenes” roles make a powerful difference.

We are back! Now in conjunction with the Scoutrageous Magazine. This episode we speak to Scout Adventure Alastair Humphreys, all about micro adventures, inspiring the next generation of adventurers and how you can find moments of adventure on your doorstep.

This Month I'm joined by Hannah Kentish. We catch up on life after being UK Youth Commissioner, British Empire Medals and looking at what the future holds.  You can check out the amazing work that ShelterBox do here https://www.shelterbox.org/ And to see what Hannah gets up to you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @hpkentish

This week we talk to Jordan the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Inclusion. Finding out more about how we can be more inclusive in scouting, the best tips for festival camping, and Jordan's new lockdown hobby. If you want to get in touch with Jordan directly - like and message the Scouts NI Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/scoutsni/

And we are back! This week I'm joined by the awesome Georgia from West London Scouts, talking all things Scouting in Lockdown, the return to face to face scouting and how we can find the balance between scouting and life when living with a Scout Leader.

That's right, we'll be taking a short break from the Podcast whilst we focus on returning to face - to - face Scouting in England as COVID-19 lockdown is eased. But we'll be back on the 13th of August!

Jessica joins us for our Pride special, to discuss how Scouting helped aid her journey into finding her identity. We discuss what Gender fluid means and some questions you may have around the trans identity.  If you are over 18 and want to get in touch with Gendershake you can here on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/GenderShake/community/ and here on the website https://jessicablaise8.wixsite.com/gendershake If you have any questions for Jessica you can get in touch with the podcast and we will pass them on.

in our mid season special I'm joined by John May, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and all round scouting legend.  You can find more about John via his website http://johnccmay.net/ on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/johnccmay and Twitter https://twitter.com/johnccmay and Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/johnccmay You can also look at the new website https://waityoureascout.wordpress.com/ and sign up to be a potential future guest here https://forms.gle/HnQsRiKRor1mALtD6

Adventurer, presenter, broadcaster, author, editor, photographer, speaker and filmmaker... and I'm exhausted reading about it! Phoebe Smith, Scout Adventurer talks to us about her adventures, where her passion began. And why Phoebe joined UK Scouting as a Scout Adventurer. If you want to hear more from Phoebe you can at http://www.phoebe-smith.com/ you can follow Phoebe on twitter at @PhoebeRSmith, Instagram @phoebersmith and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThePhoebeRSmith/ Don't forget to vote for "Wait, You're a Scout?" In the British Podcasting awards at https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/vote Search for "Wait, you're a Scout?", click vote and click the link in your email!

In this episode we speak to Charlotte and Jamie the creators of Pawprint Badges. Learning about how the business started, how they met and how they are coping with the 'new normal'. To find out more about Pawprint badges you can on their website,  and on social media https://pawprintfamily.com/ https://www.facebook.com/PawprintFamily https://twitter.com/PawprintFamily https://twitter.com/PawprintFamily https://www.pinterest.co.uk/PawprintFamily/

This week we talk to Tim Kidd, the UK Chief Commissioner. thanks to the power of Skype during lock down. Hearing stories from his time as a scout, and some of the amazing lesson learnt over the years. And we find out what Tim's favorite knot is! Don't forget to rate review and subscribe!

I've known Fran a very (very) long time, through my own time at Secondary school, but it wasn't until recently I discovered that Fran Was a Girl Guide, Air Scout and member of the Scout band. We talk all things Scouting, growing up in a small village, and how Scouting influenced Fran's own life.   Oh and Happy St. George's Day!

Tony is part of the inclusion team at WOSM, and has helped to bring some amazing projects together like last weekends Joti Online! So lovely to talk to him, and gain more insight into what inclusion really means. You can follow his work on twitter @TonyMaloneUK and his painting tutorials and are can be found at https://www.facebook.com/TonyMaloneUK/

This week we hear from Kester Sharpe, Deputy UK commissioner at Scouts UK. We talk all thing scouting, life and how to find the balance. Oh and what its like to have a team UK role. YOu can find Kester on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/kestersharpeUK and Twitter @KesterSharpe  Don't forget to check out the Great indoors pack https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/ and use the #ScoutIn