Chiswick Calendar volunteer stories: 20th Chiswick Scouts – David’s story

David Kimpton with the Beavers

This is the latest in our series of volunteer stories, in which Trisha Cochrane meets the people giving their time to local organisations and green spaces across Chiswick, finding out what brought them there and what keeps them coming back

Guest series by Trisha Cochrane

I’ve recently been on the ‘beaver safari’ in Greenford, which was fascinating, but when I met David Kimpton, chair of the 20th Chiswick Scouts, I heard all about a different kind of Beaver.

David is actively looking for volunteers to help support Beavers, Cubs or Scouts in Chiswick. His care and enthusiasm for helping children find their way was evident as he told me his story.

David Kimpton, chair of the 20th Chiswick Scouts

What brought you to the Scouts?

My wife and I were keen to adopt a child, as we’d met later in life and weren’t able to have our own. During the application and interview process, we were encouraged to find some voluntary work with children, as it would give us hands-on experience and support our case for adoption in a practical way.

One of the courses we went on taught us an incredible amount, and it was a really valuable start to understanding the behaviour and needs of children. I found the 20th Chiswick Scout group and helped out with the Beavers, six to eight year-old boys and girls.

I enjoyed it so much that I stayed on well after we’d adopted, so I was still volunteering when my son went through Beavers himself.

And what has felt particularly meaningful?

I could have left after we’d adopted, but the joy on the faces of the children was infectious. They get so excited, jumping up and down when doing team sports and activities.

You work alongside them, helping with whatever task they’re engaged in, and often they want to share something about their life, so you become their buddy. I just found that a real privilege.

I feel that about the whole Scout movement, actually: it’s such a good way to help children learn through play. They’re there to have fun, it’s definitely not like a school environment, but we have to balance that with a level of control and managing energy levels. Some get a little over-excited, which can cause disruption, but you feel good about supporting children to develop.

What have you learnt about yourself, and how has it brought out the best in you?

I have my own business, so for a long time I’ve been looking after other people at work. Being with children has reaffirmed that being respectful pays dividends, with any age group. Like at work, it’s about enabling them to be the best version of themselves, and I guess succeeding at that probably brings out the best in me. It’s certainly given me the most satisfaction.

And patience helps. Most of the time you can let kids be kids, but it’s important to step in if you see something concerning. I think it’s also about giving of yourself: being kind and gentle, and you can be open and engage one to one with little children. Then you’re not like a teacher, but a leader by example. I’ve learned this as I’ve gone along.

It’s also fascinating to see how children behave. They’re all different, but you see patterns, and it’s reassuring to know your own child’s behaviour is normal. I also find the activities interesting: tying knots, putting up tents or learning first aid is as valuable to me as it is to them. I’m a creative director, so I personally enjoy making things. We relate lots of activities to the calendar, like pancake day, watching them toss pancakes over a high rope is an absolute hoot.

It sounds like you’ve really valued the experience?

Yes, I have. Partly because it feels like I’m doing my bit. In my 20s and 30s it was all about making a success of my career, but I reached a point where my focus changed. For me, there is real value in doing something in the community, doing things for others: value for me and the community. My parents always did that, and I probably learnt from them, and from my school, that this was the right thing to do.

I took on the chair role a year ago, after having a break from volunteering with the children, which of course is a bit different. As part of the trustee board, we’re all about ensuring our procedures are up to date and monitored, rather than being at the coal face with the children.

I think you can make a real difference to children’s lives. They all love it and look forward to it, and start to learn so many useful things, like cooking and baking. The way I see it, we all want our young people to turn into good citizens. Scouts gives them something to do and somewhere to go, and you hope they’ll be more interested in the world around them and understand right from wrong as a result. I see the children coming through Scouts develop into decent young people who are going to go on to succeed in life. And that has got to be good for all of us.

The other thing is there’s such a nice community of volunteers. It’s nice to feel a part of something valued.

What kind of person would be suitable as a volunteer?

We don’t exclude anybody, subject to a DBS check, and you don’t need any experience or skills, just enthusiasm. You can become a team member and join your preferred age group: Beavers are 6-8, Cubs 8-10½ and Scouts 10½-14 years, all sections are for both boys and girls.

It’s one to one and a half hours, one evening per week during term time, but of course we understand when life gets in the way and you need to miss an evening. You can work quietly with the children or introduce and run particular games or activities if you want to. Whatever works for you.

We have a really lovely Scout hut, near the Hogarth Roundabout, backing on to Chiswick House & Gardens. We have garden space for outside activities, and we’re allowed to use Chiswick House Gardens for playing games like rounders. We have an amazing selection of games and equipment, so there’s always plenty of variety to our activities.

We welcome any age group for volunteering. Maybe you’re thinking of becoming a teacher or working with children? It’s great for your CV if you’re a young adult. Or if you have spare time, maybe you’re retired and want to get involved in some kind of community activity.

To find out more, or to volunteer, contact Group Scout Leader Von Mielewczyk: von.mielewczyk@blueyonder.co.uk

20th Chiswick Scouts: 20th-chiswick-scouts.blogspot.com