It’s not often that I now get to congratulate young people on achieving their DofE, but last week I was able to spend an evening with parents, pupils and Award volunteers at Lord William School in Thame, doing just that. The school has a remarkable commitment to the Award, and more than half of their…
Today I was fortunate to be able to attend the Local Command Unit awards for Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire. It was a privilege to hear of the selfless actions of officers and support staff. Here’s what I said to the gathered audience of colleagues and family members: Speech for the Awards Ceremony for Thames…
As the year draws to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on the past twelve months — a year filled with its fair share of challenges, surprises, and personal growth. This quiet time between Christmas and New Year feels like the perfect opportunity to pause and take stock of the lessons I’ve picked…
I provide an update on Cats Protection’s ongoing work to organise the charity to make it as effective as possible for cats and people. I talk about the support and structure that will be necessary to navigate future challenges and opportunities. I also discuss the four key areas of focus for the charity that will…
The Cat Manifesto
I no longer actively work with a Section, I do other things as a Scout volunteer, but I was a leader in UK Scouting throughout the 80s and 90s, when being gay in Scouting wasn’t something you admitted to. Indeed, the institutional homophobia at the time was palpable. Since then, things have changed for LGBTQI+…
Thank you to my friends in New York for sharing this article with me, published locally… Celebrating John May: A Trailblazer for LGBTQI+ Inclusion in Scouting The world of Scouting, often associated with outdoor adventures and community service, is also a space where values of inclusivity and diversity are nurtured. Among the champions of these…