Last week BB members across the country took part in a range of activities and events as part of UK Parliament Week!

Taking place this year from 24th to 30th November, UK Parliament Week is an annual event which aims to spread the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how to get involved, by empowering people to take action and make an impact on issues they care about.

Through our termly programme, young people in the Company age group were able to explore ‘Voting at 16’, discovering the power of their vote and discussing a range of issues affecting young people as well as what it’s like to shape the future.

In the latest activity in our ‘Is It OK?’ series, Seniors looked at the issue of ‘Abuse in Politics’. Recognising that politics can spark strong opinions, the activity encouraged them to consider where the line gets crossed between fair criticism and unacceptable behaviour.

Leaders can find these activities and hundreds more in our Programme Hub.

Groups were also able to use a range of resources from UK Parliament Week, enabling them to hold discussions, debates and votes, quizzes, creative activities and lots more.

Some groups also had the opportunity to meet local politicians including MPs, local councillors, mayors, MSs and MSPs. Others had the opportunity to visit locations important to our democracy, including Seniors from Glasgow Battalion who toured the Houses of Parliament as part of a visit to London.

Check out some photos from our groups below . . .

We are delighted to have launched our new Alumni Scheme, through which we want to reconnect with our community of former members and celebrate more than 140 years of shaping young lives.

For generations, BB has provided opportunities to learn, grow and build its members in faith-filled lives and leadership. The organisation’s positive influence on young lives is as important and relevant today as ever.

One of BB’s alumni, Derrick Evans MBE (AKA Mr Motivator), grew up in Jamaica, but when his family moved to Leicester, he joined The Boys’ Brigade.

He became involved in leading the BB band, taking part in performances at the Church hall. He says: “BB created relationships that lasted a lifetime. School friendships came and went, but the ones formed through BB were deep and enduring.”

He says BB gave him a sense of belonging and purpose: “It kept us away from trouble and taught us right from wrong. Older boys who had become leaders served as role models. You learned from how they behaved, how they treated their families, and how they carried themselves.”

With today’s young people facing challenges such as toxic masculinity and negative online influences, Derrick believes BB is more relevant than ever. “Parents are desperate to keep their kids out of crime and away from dangerous influences. BB can provide that alternative. I’m an example of someone whose life was deeply shaped by BB.”

Another BB alumni is Professor Jason Leitch CBE, who joined 6th Airdrie in Lanarkshire. He went on to become the National Clinical Director of Scotland and helped steer the country through the Covid pandemic. Jason says BB gave him the building blocks for a life of public service.

“It was about camaraderie and friendship, but also independence, discipline and skills, but mainly it’s lots of fun! I grew and I discovered the importance of belonging.”

“I hope BB continues to go from strength to strength. The skills it teaches are as timeless and as valuable today as they were to me in the 70s!”

Pete Markey was five times ‘Marketer of the Year’ and until earlier this year was head of marketing for Boots UK and Ireland, before moving to a new Executive role at Cancer Research UK. He says his “proudest achievement” is the box of BB badges he used to wear on his sleeve.

“They’re a bit tired, and the gold sheen has faded, but they taught me that when you work hard, you get something back.”

“BB provides you with essential skills for life: a foundation on which to build yourself. I arrived as a boy and left as a man.”

Pete has held leadership roles in major brands, and he traces his first taste of business back to running the BB tuck shop.

“Being king of Pick n’ Mix was my dream job. It did my confidence a world of good and helped me become a leader. By the time I left, I had a whole new life ahead of me. And I was ready for it. The Boys’ Brigade prepared me for that.”

BB, says Pete Markey, encourages young people to grow and to believe in themselves. And growing in faith is a key part of that. Each week, thousands of young people are brought into a church environment through the BB. Many have no other connection with the Church.

“BB connects you spiritually and grounds you in why we’re here. Faith was central to that: growing as a person, having belief, and realising you’re not on your own in life’s journey.”

“You’re given a sense of purpose. I know my life has worth and value, and I’m here to make a difference. BB taught me how to become a leader, a good man and a better person. It pushed me to see what I was capable of. It gave me drive. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it hadn’t been for The Boys’ Brigade.”

BB trustee Andrew Baldwin adds: “One of the things that always makes me smile is hearing stories of people’s connections to the organisation. There is a huge BB community out there – across the UK and around the world.”

“Former members are in every walk of life. We want to hear your stories, and the part that The Boys’ Brigade played in your life. The Alumni Scheme gives us the chance to reconnect and build a stronger future, as we head towards our 150th anniversary.”

To find out more, go to alumni.boys-brigade.org.uk

Our Christmas tree decoration for 2025 has now been released and is available to order.

Over the last couple of years we’ve produced a tree decoration each year that can be gifted to children, young people and leaders. Our 2025 decoration celebrates Jesus’ birth, bringing ‘Joy to the World’.

For BB groups, the tree decorations could be awarded as part of your Christmas programme of activities or for completing a Christmas themed challenge. Alternatively you may want to hand them out before you finish for Christmas, as a gift to your members.

The decoration is also available to be purchased by supporters of the organisation.

The acrylic decoration, priced at £2.75, is available in BB and BB/GA (Girls’ Association) versions and comes complete with a cord, allowing it to be hung on a Christmas tree.

These are available to purchase now, with the first batch of orders being dispatched next week. All orders must be placed by 28th November or whilst stocks last.

To place your order and to find out more please click here.

We are pleased to announce that Michelle McConnell has joined the staff team at BB Headquarters as Compliance and Assurance Officer.

Michelle will be supporting us all to develop and maintain a culture of compliance, and ensuring members are supported to operate in a safe, consistent and sustainable manner.

Michelle said: “As an existing BB volunteer, I am delighted to have started in this new role and become more involved. I am looking forward to providing support to ensure that children and young people continue to flourish in a safe and caring environment.”

Over the last few days, BB children and young people have been getting involved in activities and events to remember all those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.

On Remembrance Sunday, young people and leaders from 1st Carnoustie, 2nd Forfar, 1st Irvine, 25th Stirling and 1st Telford represented the organisation at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, forming part of the ‘Column Y’ section with other uniformed youth organisations. The event included a march past and the laying of wreaths, and was broadcast live on the BBC.

Across the country, thousands of BB members took part in Remembrance events in their local communities, including Church services, civic commemorations and collections for the Poppy Appeal.

Our children and young people have also been able to engage with Remembrance as part of their regular programme of activities, by learning about what Remembrance is and why it is important, exploring how they can get involved in supporting initiatives such as the Poppy Appeal, getting creative with activities from our termly programme such as making glowing ‘Poppy Jars’, and reflecting on the sacrifices made by those who went before us and how they link to Jesus’ ultimate act of love on the cross.

We want to say a big thank you to everyone who got involved in this year’s commemorations in any way.

BB groups have been posting about their Remembrance activities on social media. We encourage groups to post and tag The Boys’ Brigade, and use hashtags #WeWillRememberThem and #BoysBrigade. You can also email us at newsdesk@boys-brigade.org.uk

Check out some photos below showing how BB children and young people have been getting involved in Remembrance this year . . .

Across the country, Anchors have been taking on our ‘Firefighters’ themed programme, learning all about fire safety, teamwork, and the incredible work firefighters do to keep us safe.

As part of the programme, included in the Autumn 2025 planners, Anchors have been creating thoughtful ‘Thank you to our Firefighting Heroes’ gifts and cards, to say thank you to their local fire crews. These gifts have included tubs of ‘Heroes’ sweets decorated by the Anchors, as well as handmade cards, medals and messages of appreciation. These gifts have been a brilliant way for our Anchors to show their gratitude.

Some groups have even taken their thanks a step further, by visiting their local fire stations to deliver their gifts in person. These visits have allowed Anchors to meet firefighters, explore fire stations, and learn what it’s like to be part of a real firefighting team.

The ‘Firefighters’ theme has been a fantastic way for Anchors to learn about, serve, and celebrate the everyday heroes in their communities. A huge well done to all the groups who’ve taken part and a big thank you to the firefighters who’ve inspired them!

Leaders can find out more about this themed programme, along with 100s of other ideas for their groups, on our Programme Hub.

We are delighted to have partnered with Bear Grylls, his publisher Hodder Faith, and St Andrews Bookshop to gift two free copies of his new book ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ to every BB group across the country.

The book is an eyewitness account of the life of Jesus, retold through the perspective of five key eyewitnesses to his life. Written using the original Hebrew names and without changing any of the words of Jesus, since its release the book has topped the Sunday Times best seller list and has had a huge impact on readers, Christian and non-Christian alike.

In The Boys’ Brigade we are passionate about seeing both young people and leaders live life to the full through Jesus. We believe the Bible is one way in which on our faith journeys we can explore faith and encounter Jesus. While the book isn’t designed to replace the Bible, it allows readers to uncover for themselves the greatest story ever told: the story of Jesus.

Steve Barnett, Managing Director of St Andrews Bookshop, said: “Having grown up in a Church family and attended BB for many years, I know full well that one’s journey to faith is not always smooth!”

“I am delighted that Bear Grylls has gifted each BB group two copies of The Greatest Story Ever Told, because it is the best book I have read in 40 years of Christian bookselling in terms of bringing Jesus’ life alive. I hope those who read it will see what I mean and want to share it with others in their BB group.”

Later in the term, we will be releasing a five-session resource to go alongside the book. Each session will explore a different eyewitness account, and could be used as a devotional series for the Company and Seniors age groups and as the Faith Journey element of our Major Awards.

For Spaces groups, we will also be releasing a five-week series based on the book to help support young people on their faith journeys.

For more information about this exciting partnership please contact our Ministry Team on ministry@boys-brigade.org.uk

The Boys’ Brigade have announced a new partnership with leading youth mental health charity YoungMinds. A range of new programme resources has been released to BB groups across the UK that support the mental health and well-being of children and young people.

Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the BB are taking active steps to ensure that its members have access to meaningful conversations, activities and support focused on strengthening mental wellbeing.

In collaboration with YoungMinds, the new resources have been created to help children and young people across different age groups better understand mental health, build resilience, feel equipped to talk openly about their feelings and experiences, and know where to turn for help.

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys’ Brigade, said: “Now more than ever, it’s vital that we equip children and young people with the tools and confidence to look after their mental health. Through this partnership with YoungMinds, we’re giving our leaders practical, trusted resources that can make a real difference in the lives of our members and partner Churches. We want to encourage all of our groups to use these resources and help remind children and young people that they are not alone.”

​The urgency of this initiative is underscored by a youth mental health crisis across the UK: YoungMinds is part of a coalition of leading organisations focused on children and young people and mental health, urging the Government to increase investment in mental health services and calling for an independent Government-commissioned review to examine the causes of the children’s mental health crisis.

Charity of the Year

​These resources are just the beginning – BB have also announced that they have made YoungMinds their charity of the year throughout 2026! Together, BB groups across the country will be taking action, raising vital funds, and shining a light on mental health, supporting the work that YoungMinds does with children and young people.

BB leaders can access the resources via the Programme Hub.

What a weekend our Juniors BIG Sleepover was! Over 1,000 Juniors across the UK took part in a jam-packed programme filled with activity and adventure!

Held simultaneously at more than 60 locations nationwide, the event offered a shared programme of exciting challenges and creative experiences, including:

• BIG Sleepover Record Breakers
• Glow Stick Disco
• BIG Sleepover’s Got Talent
• Light Shines in the Darkness
• Blessing Bags
• The Juniors BIG Sleepover Quiz

From record attempts and musical performances to acts of kindness and reflection, the weekend captured the true spirit of The Boys’ Brigade – encouraging children and young people to grow in confidence, community, and faith.

Coming Together Online

A key highlight of the weekend was the Online Gathering, which brought together hundreds of Juniors via Zoom to connect with one another across the country.
This interactive session included live check-ins with several sleepovers, spontaneous on-the-spot challenges, and a special message from Christian magician Paul Brown.

It was great to see so many excited faces sharing the same experience from every corner of the UK!

The BIG Quiz Results

As part of the weekend, groups took on The Juniors BIG Sleepover Quiz, battling it out across five tricky rounds to see who would come out on top.

The scores are in – and we’re thrilled to reveal our Top 30 teams (see the graphic below).

Huge congratulations to 2nd Cambusnethan A, who have been crowned The Juniors BIG Sleepover Quiz Champions 2025!

Highlights from Across the Country

Check out some of our photo highlights from the BIG Sleepover and see how Juniors across the UK made memories that will last a lifetime.

Find Out More

To learn more about the Juniors BIG Sleepover, explore the full programme of activities, or view our interactive map featuring all 60+ participating locations, visit our Juniors BIG Sleepover page.

We look forward to seeing what next year’s BIG Sleepover will bring!

A BB member from 2nd Gourock addressed Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) during the ‘Time for Reflection’ segment in Holyrood’s Debating Chamber, telling them about his ‘Pulse of Life’ campaign.

Held at the start of parliamentary business each Tuesday afternoon, ‘Time for Reflection’ offers a platform for invited speakers to share their thoughts on a prominent current issue. Cameron used the opportunity to call for mandatory cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in all Scottish high schools.

‘Pulse of Life’ proposes that CPR be taught in S1 (the first year of high school) during a physical education lesson, followed by a refresher in S4 – a step Cameron believes would make meaningful change and potentially save lives.

The campaign is deeply personal to Cameron, who tragically lost his mother to a heart attack in 2022 and, earlier this year, his father to cardiac arrest. He believes that access to CPR training could have made a difference, and is now determined to ensure that others are better prepared in similar emergencies.

Cameron is working closely with his school, Clydeview Academy, which became the first school in Scotland to show recognition for World Heart Day – held annually on 29th September. In support of the campaign, Inverclyde Council also lit up local buildings and monuments in red to raise awareness.

Get Learning: BB leaders wishing to explore this important topic with their young people could check out our First Aid and Skills for Life: Defibrillator themed programmes, both of which are aimed at the Company age group and include activities to help build knowledge of performing CPR.

(Image from scottishparliament.tv)

A group of 12 young people from 1st Barrhead, 4th Clydebank, 1st Irvine, 1st Strathaven recently had the opportunity to set sail for five days with the Ocean Youth Trust.

They headed out on the Alba Venturer, a 70′ sailing boat which was built as a gift to the young people of Scotland, and sailed from Greenock to Kilchatten Bay, Tarbet, Holy Loch and back to James Watt Dock in Greenock, covering a total of 88 nautical miles.

During their time together the young people learned about sailing as well as all aspects of being on board a ship including helping with cooking and cleaning.

Everyone received certificates confirming all that they had learned over the week and some will be using the experience towards their King’s Badge.

This opportunity was made possible with support from CashBack for Communities, a project which aims to support young people in Scotland to access safe spaces to develop their confidence, resilience, skills and team building.

Find out more about how CashBack funding could benefit your Company at boys-brigade.org.uk/cashback-for-communities

Find out more about the Ocean Youth Trust at oytscotland.org.uk

Today (15th August) is the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which effectively marked the end of World War II as Japan surrendered.

Yesterday a group of young people and leaders from 1st Rainford had the privilege of attending a Garden Party to mark VJ Day 80 which was hosted by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, in the gardens of 10 Downing Street.

The event was one of many taking place this week to commemorate VJ Day 80, as we pay tribute to all those who served in Asia and the Pacific as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.

Marnie, one of the young people who attended the event, said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that allowed us to meet some really interesting people from other uniformed organisations. It was great to come together to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, an occasion that is so important. It was incredible to see one of the veterans and we were able to thank him for his sacrifices and his service. We are so grateful to the BB and Youth United Foundation for this opportunity.”

The Boys’ Brigade is partnering with Youthscape to play a leading role at the Christian youth festival, Satellites.

The organisation will oversee the festival’s main “Activity Village”, creating a vibrant active space that helps young people connect with Jesus and each other.

With over 140 years’ experience partnering with Churches, The Boys’ Brigade brings deep-rooted knowledge and commitment to working with children and young people. With more than 750 groups across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, The Boys’ Brigade has a wealth of experience helping young people connect with Jesus and build vital friendships and communities with a shared heart and commitment.

The Boys’ Brigade will take the lead in delivering the festival’s “Activity Village”, offering a variety of fun and engaging activities for all attendees, including giant inflatables, a football shoot, and axe throwing. This gives young people an opportunity to grow in fellowship, community and faith throughout this week.

Local BB groups from Christchurch Abbeydale, Gloucester and Starbeck Methodist Church, Harrogate will attend the festival for the first time, together camping in the designated “BB Village”, taking part in a programme designed for spiritual growth and community building.

Rev Dez Johnston, President of The Boys’ Brigade, highlighted the strategic importance of this new partnership.

“As President of The Boys’ Brigade, I’m thrilled we’re at Satellites. This gathering equips young people to live out faith boldly. It’s vital our members connect, grow spiritually, and see they’re part of something bigger. The BB’s presence here shows our commitment to shaping confident, Christ-centred young leaders for today’s world.”

Peter Andrews, Ministry Lead for The Boys’ Brigade, added to this, emphasising the wider context of this new venture.

“Recent research has indicated a growing interest among young people in spirituality and an openness to the Christian faith. As a key partner to Churches across the UK, the BB provides opportunities for young people to explore the Christian faith in a fun, caring and safe environment. In an increasingly unstable world, where young people are influenced by many competing voices, the Satellites Festival helps those in our groups encounter Jesus in a deeper and more personal way.”

He continued: “We hope that the experience of being at Satellites, and spending time with hundreds of other young Christians who have chosen to follow Jesus, will encourage our young people to remain sure and steadfast in their faith journey over the coming year – and inspire them to play their part in expanding Christ’s kingdom in their communities.”

Chris Curtis, Chief Executive of Youthscape says: “It’s fantastic to have a growing number of BB groups at Satellites and for the national team to be helping host one of the most popular venues on site. This year we’re adding a BB Village so that groups can camp together and deepen their connection with each other as young people deepen their faith in Jesus. It’s great to have Youthscape and BB working together so closely on something so important.”

The Boys’ Brigade looks forward to taking this active role at Satellites and prays that the friendships formed this week, and the deeper connection with Jesus, will last.

Find out more about Satellites at youthscape.co.uk/satellites

Hear us on UCB 1

On Thursday 7th August Peter joined Ashley Andrew on UCB 1’s Talking Point to talk about our involvement in Satellites. You can listen to the interview here (from 1:43:30) or hear the clip below (with thanks to UCB 1).

The UK Government has announced today new opportunities and funding to support young people in England reconnecting with their communities.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Growing up today is hard for young people. As they navigate their way through the online world, too often they find themselves isolated at home and disconnected from their communities.”

As part of the ‘Building Creative Futures’ package that has been announced by the Government, additional funding of £7.5 million has been included for the Uniformed Youth Fund, which was launched in 2023.

The Uniformed Youth Fund is supporting greater access to uniformed youth organisations for young people across England. It will help ensure more young people can benefit from the skills, confidence, and opportunities that uniformed youth organisations provide.

The Boys’ Brigade is delighted to have secured continued funding from Uniformed Youth Fund until next year, and this will allow us to for example continue to support the growth and development of local groups through our Building Stronger campaign.

Read more about this announcement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport here.

Find out more about our Building Stronger campaign here.

We are deeply sorry to hear that Sir Kenneth Calman, former President of The Boys’ Brigade, has died at the age of 83.

The Scottish doctor, academic and author was educated at the University of Glasgow, and went on to became the Chief Medical Officer of both Scotland and England. He was a chair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive and chaired the Commission on Scottish Devolution.

He served as the President of The Boys’ Brigade from 2008 to 2011.

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys’ Brigade, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sir Kenneth Calman. His life was one dedicated to service. Even after his time as Brigade President, Sir Kenneth was an active supporter of our work with children and young people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time.”

In recent weeks BB members who have received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award have had the opportunity to attend celebration events at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Gold Award is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and sees participants aged 16-25 putting in at least 12 months of commitment across five sections (Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential).

Recipients are invited to an event at one of the Royal Palaces alongside thousands of their peers to celebrate all they have achieved, with the events being hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in his role as the Award’s Patron.

The Boys’ Brigade has a long association with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, dating back to 1955 when we took part in a pilot scheme ahead of the official launch the following year, and in the present day hundreds of BB members achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold award each year.

Congratulations to our latest group of Gold Award recipients on their wonderful achievements!

We are delighted to welcome Amy Keane to the staff team at BB Headquarters, who joins as Administration Support Team Member.

Amy is based at our Hemel Hempstead office at Adeyfield Free Church, and will be providing direct administration support to all elements of the organisation ensuring the smooth running of the operational functions.

Amy said: “I’m really happy to be starting my journey at The Boys’ Brigade, supporting the work of an organisation that makes such a difference to the lives of children and young people.”

“I’m looking forward to learning more, growing in my role, and being part of a team that’s so passionate about creating positive change.”

On Tuesday 1st July a group of BB leaders from Falkirk and Larbert had the privilege of attending a Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The event was attended by the King, the Queen and the Princess Royal, and took place during Holyrood Week – an annual royal celebration of Scottish culture, achievement and community.

The leaders were amongst over 8,000 guests from across Scotland who were invited in recognition of their work in their local communities. Well done to them all – we hope they had a fantastic day!

We are delighted to welcome Kathryn Lochrie to the staff team at BB Headquarters as our new Finance Support Worker.

Based at our Carronvale House office, Kathryn will be supporting the management of the Brigade’s finances, including providing support to our Chief Executive, Treasurer and Finance Committee as well as other staff and volunteers.

Kathryn said: “I’m really enjoying learning about everything the organisation does. There are so many brilliant opportunities for children and young people to get involved in The Boys’ Brigade! It’s great to be able to support behind the scenes.”

To contact our Finance Team please email accounts@boys-brigade.org.uk or phone 0300 303 4454.

Our Social Media Awards returned for 2025, aiming to celebrate the creativity, dedication and hard work of our volunteer leaders and young people.

It was fantastic to receive over 100 nominations from across the country, which were whittled down to a shortlist of finalists in each of the four categories.

Judging was carried out by a panel made up of representatives from the BB and Refresh PR along with Madi Neville, one of our young leaders who was involved in the social media presence of one of last year’s award winners.

Madi said: “The Boys’ Brigade has been one of the most life changing experiences and I’m sure that everyone involved will agree. Over the years of being a leader I have grown a passion for social media and I love being able to showcase to the wider community just who we are and all the fun we have.”

“Being a part of the judging for the Social Media Awards was brilliant. Congratulations to the winners and finalists this year – your creativity, your effort, your hard work and your awesome social media does not go unnoticed!”

“If you haven’t already, now is your time to set up a social media page for your group, and always remember, social media is a great tool to tell people our BB stories and share how much of a positive impact we have on the lives of children and young people.”

25% of the scoring was decided by a public vote, which saw over 2,350 votes received – thank you to everyone who voted for your support!

We’d like to say a huge well done to all of the groups who were shortlisted, and congratulations to the winners:

• Best Use of Social Media: For accounts that engage our community.
  • Gold Award: 25th Stirling
  • Silver Award: 2nd/7th East Kilbride
  • Bronze Award: 3rd Enfield
  • Finalists: 10th Enfield, 8th Hartlepool, 1st Irvine, 28th Nottingham, 14th West Bromwich
• Best Use of Photography: For visuals that tell our story.
  • Winner: 1st Irvine
  • Finalists: 2nd/7th East Kilbride, 35th Liverpool, 25th Stirling
• Best Use of Video Content: For the most engaging and inspiring videos that capture the essence of The Boys’ Brigade.
  • Winner: 35th Liverpool
  • Finalists: 7th Gloucester, 1st Grangemouth New, 19th Motherwell
• Best New Account: For any new social media account launched in 2024 that has made an impact in a short time.
  • Winner: 10th Enfield (Instagram)
  • Finalists: 7th Gloucester (TikTok), 1st Ormskirk (Facebook & Instagram), 5th Stafford (Facebook & TikTok)

Thank you to all of our groups for your fantastic work in using social media to share the opportunities that children and young people have to experience “life to the full”.

Time to Shine: Communications Toolkit

Time to Shine is our Communications Toolkit, which has been designed to help equip you to talk about what the BB does, the impact it has and how people can get involved. It includes a range of Template Press Releases and Social Media Guides.

Check out the full toolkit at boys-brigade.org.uk/comms-toolkit

We are delighted to welcome Chrissie Lewis to the Development and Engagement Team at BB Headquarters.

Chrissie will be working with groups in Scotland on support and development needs, including by assisting them in building capacity to enable recruitment of additional young people and volunteers, helping enhance the quality of programmes and the experience offered to young people, assisting with training opportunities, and supporting and promoting the strengthening of Church relationships.

Chrissie said: “I believe in helping young people by giving them the tools they need to navigate life, and being out there planting seeds. I am really looking forward to working with groups across Scotland and assisting with their support and development needs.”

To contact our Development and Engagement Team please email development@boys-brigade.org.uk or phone 0300 303 4454.

It’s fantastic that a number of new BB groups have started recently, seeing us partnering with more Churches to help them reach out to children and young people in their communities with a message of hope rooted in Jesus.

1st Calne, in Wiltshire, is one of our newest groups, having launched last month. In a few short weeks they have already taken on a wide range of activities enabling their members to be active and creative, learn things and explore faith, and have recently even held their very first Awards Evening!

Wayne Lawther, who is a leader at 1st Calne and minister of Calne Baptist Church, said: “We thank God that 1st Calne has got off to such a great start. Each week sees an increase in numbers and we’re loving being a part of the BB family!”

This Volunteers’ Week, thank you to the leaders at 1st Calne and all of our 7,000+ leaders across the country for all they do to provide opportunities for children and young people to experience “life to the full” (John 10:10).

If you’re a Church leader and interested in finding out more about how we can partner with your Church and help engage with children and young people in your community, click here.

This week (2nd to 8th June 2025) is Volunteers’ Week – a chance to celebrate, thank and recognise the amazing contributions that volunteer make within communities across the country.

We wouldn’t be able to do what we do – supporting children and young people to learn, grow and discover – without the dedication and commitment of our 7,000 volunteer leaders, and we’d like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to them all for everything they do.

Keep an eye on our social media channels this week as we will be sharing messages highlighting and celebrating the amazing work of our volunteers.

Facebook: The Boys’ Brigade UK & RoI
Instagram: @theboysbrigade_ukroi

Over the late May bank holiday weekend young people and leaders from across the Brigade attended Unite and Cumbrae Camp, our two national residentials.

Unite was held at Well End Activity Centre in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, with Cumbrae Camp taking place in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Both events included weekend and single day options, and provided the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities, meet old and new friends and explore faith together. They also enabled several groups to participate in a residential where they would have otherwise struggled to do so.

A huge thank you to the teams of volunteers who made both events happen – we are extremely grateful for everything they did!

Check out some photos from both events below . . .

On Tuesday 20th May a group of Seniors and young leaders were invited to volunteer at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

The event was hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, and also attended by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall.

During the day our members undertook a range of tasks to help ensure the smooth running of the event for around 7,500 guests, including dignitaries and invited members of the public.

Ollie Bennett, a young leader at 5th Scarborough who was part of the group, said: “I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party, and especially to be stationed in front of the Royal Tea Tent, giving me a unique insight into the the ongoings surrounding the staff that are working and the guests that are welcomed into the tent.”

“My highlight of the day was having the great honour of meeting Prince William and him taking the time to stop for a conversation. The whole day was amazing and I feel very honoured to have had this experience through The Boys’ Brigade.”

Billy Melbourne, a young leader at 10th Enfield, added: “It was a great experience to be part of the BB group at Buckingham Palace, I was honoured to be there. It was enjoyable to work with the team and observe how things operate behind the scenes, and the jobs we had were interesting.”

“The best part was getting to walk around and take in the event like normal guests after we had finished helping out – it was nice to see the gardens and the parts you never see. Overall, it was a great day that I will never forget.”

BB members across the country took part in a series of local and national events to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The week of national events began with a ceremony on Parliament Square and a procession down The Mall and past Buckingham Palace, with the uniformed youth contingent being led by the London Massed Bugle Band and BB members also marching in the contingent itself.

A group of young people and leaders watched the procession and RAF flypast from a special viewing area for uniformed youth opposite Buckingham Palace, and the BB was also represented in the Royal Box alongside HM The King and other members of the Royal Family, Government ministers, veterans and other uniformed youth.

On the same day, another group of BB members were able to attend a tea party in Downing Street, which was hosted by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

On VE Day itself, we were invited to attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey and, that evening, over 200 BB young people, leaders and parents/carers enjoyed a celebratory concert on Horse Guards Parade, which featured a range of musical, acting and dancing performances, as well as a message from HM The King and some powerful stories from some of the veterans and evacuees who experienced World War II first hand.

We are extremely grateful to the Youth United Foundation and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for the opportunity to be a part of these national events.

Locally, BB members have got involved in a wide range of activities to mark this significant occasion, including community beacon lightings and parades, getting involved in our ‘Edible Union Jack Challenge’, learning about World War II, creating VE Day medals and a range of other craft activities, and reflecting on the sacrifices made by those who went before us as well as the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.

Check out some photos below to see how BB members commemorated VE Day 80 . . .

We have partnered with Christian Aid, as they celebrate their 80th anniversary, to create a themed programme for young people centred on climate justice.

Christian Aid is a global movement of people, Churches and local organisations that campaign and work to end poverty and injustice globally. Founded in 1945, Christian Aid has made a significant impact to raising awareness on major issues. We’re pleased to be helping to continue that awareness raising, with our latest themed programme on climate justice.

Our new partnership programme is aimed at our Company age group (11-14 year olds) and provides groups with activities that help young people to find out more about Christian Aid, their work over the last 80 years, what ‘Climate Justice’ is and ways in which they can use their words and actions to make a difference to this challenging issue.

This includes challenging young people to create their own ‘Tree of Hope’, tasking them with considering the roots of the problems around climate injustice, before thinking about how they can be part of the solution going forwards.

Val Brown from Christian Aid commented: “Christian Aid are delighted to be working with The Boys’ Brigade in the run up to Christian Aid Week as part of our 80th anniversary. Christian Aid exists to create a world free from poverty and injustice, and Christian Aid Week is a chance for communities across the country to make a difference.”

“As a movement rooted in the Christian faith and committed to equipping young people to learn, grow and discover, The Boys’ Brigade is a perfect partner for Christian Aid. We are excited to share the story of Christian Aid with BB groups up and down the country and have them be a part of writing the next chapter.”

Find out more about Christian Aid here.

BB leaders can access the new resources on our Programme Hub.

5 News recently talked to a group of BB young people from Nottingham about some of the themes arising from the recent Netflix show Adolescence.

In the piece, 5 News correspondent Julian Druker and the young people explored topics including social media and the rise in harmful online content, along with the challenges of growing up as a young man in today’s world.

You can see what they had to say in the video below (with thanks to 5 News for the clip).

In 2023 we explored themes around the lives and culture of young people through our Youth Culture and Trends insights research, which prepared in partnership with the Youthscape Centre for Research. You can find out more about this research here.

Our Young Leaders Weekend took place last weekend, 4th to 6th April 2025, with leaders aged 18-26 from across the UK coming together for a weekend of development, networking and sharing.

Now in its third year, the Young Leaders Weekend is organised by the Young Leaders Group, made up of volunteers within the organisation. This year the weekend was held at the North West District’s Training Centre in Kirkham.

The focus of the weekend was about ‘empowering young leaders through programme’, an area that young leaders have recently been sharing that they want more development and support in. The workshops and activities across the weekend were therefore aimed at building programme skills, trying out new activities, considering the foundations of a good quality programme and sharing best practice and ideas.

As well as taking part in workshops, discussions and debates, the group of young leaders also had some downtime to participate in a few other activities, including archery, Nerf battles and an interactive quiz night.

“A Hope for the Future”

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive, joined part of the weekend, taking part in a ‘Debate it Out’ workshop, tasking young leaders to share their views and discuss some of the challenges for the future. Afterwards, Jonathan shared his reflections of visiting the weekend.

“Encouraging our young leaders is very important to me and comes from my own personal experience. In the Company where I grew up the leaders believed in me and my friends and gave us the opportunity to take the lead and shape our group. It felt empowering and exciting, and is something I have never forgotten.”

“So, it was great to chat to the young leaders over the weekend, to listen to their stories and to hear their ideas and enthusiasm for the possibilities that lie ahead for the organisation. Spending time with our young leaders always inspires me and gives me hope and confidence for the future. There is so much we can learn from young leaders and we must all shout louder about the contribution they make, encourage them to connect with other young leaders through the network, and have the chance to help shape the organisation at every level.”

Young Leaders Network

To find out more about the Young Leaders Network, including future opportunities and events, head to our Young Leaders webpage.

The Young Leaders Weekend will return again in 2026, with dates and the location being announced in the coming months. If you are a young leader, or you have young leaders in your Company who might benefit from attending, then please keep an eye out and consider getting involved in the future.

Photo Highlights

Check out some of the photo highlights from across the weekend in our gallery below.

The third of our three National Finals days for 2024-25 took place on Saturday 22nd March, with young people from across the UK heading to Lisburn in Northern Ireland with the aim of becoming our 5-a-side Football National Champions.

We are grateful to The Northern Ireland Boys’ Brigade for hosting the event, which took place at Lisburn Leisureplex and saw separate finals take place for the Company and Seniors age groups.

These are two of seven National Competitions, alongside Badminton, Chess, FIFA, Masterteam (Quiz) and Table Tennis. Teams take part in a number of local rounds before reaching their regional final and then, if successful, going on to the National Final.

Congratulations to the joint team from 1st Cumbernauld & 1st Lenzie who won the Company age group final, and 1st Kilkeel who were victorious in the Seniors event.

The results were as follows:

Company Football

1st: 1st Cumbernauld & 1st Lenzie (Scotland)
2nd: 1st Overtown (Scotland)
3rd: 24th Belfast (Northern Ireland)
4th: 3rd Kilkeel (Northern Ireland)
5th: 11th Northampton (England)
6th: 3rd Reading (England)

Seniors Football

1st: 1st Kilkeel (Northern Ireland)
2nd: 2nd Gourock (Scotland)
3rd: 2nd Tonbridge (England)
4th: 6th/8th Dundee (Scotland)
5th: 35th Liverpool (England)
6th: 3rd Kilkeel (Northern Ireland)

Thank you to Mark Smyth, President of The Northern Ireland Boys’ Brigade, who helped to present awards and offer congratulations to the teams, as well as all of the BBNI staff and volunteers who helped make the event happen.

Check out some photos from the Company & Seniors Football Finals in our gallery below…

Earlier this week former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate delivered the annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture for the BBC.

In his speech, Sir Gareth reflected on the importance of positive role models in boys’ lives, and warned of the dangers posed by ‘toxic influencers’.

“There’s a point at which boys look naturally for mentors outside their immediate family, and is often where they find the role models who inspire them the most… However boys are spending less time at youth centres, sports facilities and community events. They aren’t meeting the traditional role models I used to meet such as coaches, youth workers and teachers.”

Recognising the importance of understanding the needs of young people, in 2023 The Boys’ Brigade partnered with the Youthscape Centre for Research to launch Youth Culture and Trends, which explored the lives and culture of young people today and how we can better support them now and into the future.

Read the Youth Culture and Trends research at boys-brigade.org.uk/youth-culture-and-trends

The research highlighted there has been a significant rise in the numbers of young people who are dissatisfied with their friendships over the last decade, and particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

It also revealed that young people are spending less time socialising in person and are increasingly more likely to conduct social relationships online, an environment which could lead to the kinds of influences emphasised by Sir Gareth.

Each week The Boys’ Brigade works with around 20,000 children and young people in around 750 communities across the country, providing opportunities to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun and caring environment which is rooted in the Christian faith.

Organisations such as the BB have a vital role to play in providing positive role models for young people, by showing them that there are people who are willing to come alongside them, invest themselves in relationships and genuinely care for them; helping young people to feel included, valued and that they have something to offer each other and the world.

Recently John Sharp, our Director for Development and Communications, appeared on Premier Christian Radio’s The News Hour to speak about some of these issues.

During the interview, John said: “At the heart of the BB’s work is relationships – those real, long term, authentic relationships that get built with young people, with positive role models and positive influences in young people’s lives. That has been at the centre of what we have been doing for many years.”

“As Christians, one of the responses that we can have is trying to encourage young people to be involved in a structured environment where they have opportunities to learn skills – not just important life skills, but also ‘soft skills’ like confidence, resilience, independence and working together as a team.”

We’re excited to announce that our Social Media Awards are back for 2025!

BB groups across the country are doing fantastic work in using social media to share the opportunities that are being provided for children and young people to experience “life to the full”.

There are lots of great examples out there of sharing the BB story, and these awards aim to celebrate and say thank you for the work that is going on.

We’re looking for nominations across four categories:

• Best Use of Social Media: For accounts that engage our community.
• Best Use of Video Content: For the most engaging and inspiring videos that capture the essence of the BB.
• Best Use of Photography: For visuals that tell our story.
• Best New Account: For any new social media account launched in 2024 that has made an impact in a short time.

Nominations are now open and will close on 18th May. Find out more about the awards and submit your nominations at boys-brigade.org.uk/social-media-awards

On Saturday 15th March young people from across the UK travelled to Hertfordshire to take part in the finals of our Badminton and FIFA National Competitions.

Croxley Danes School in Croxley Green played host to the Badminton National Final, before teams headed to a presentation ceremony at BB Headquarters at Adeyfield Free Church, which also then hosted the FIFA National Final.

These are two of seven National Competitions, alongside Chess, 5-a-side Football (Company & Seniors), Masterteam (Quiz) and Table Tennis. Teams take part in a number of local rounds before reaching their regional final and then, if successful, going on to the National Final.

Congratulations to 1st Ballyclare who emerged victorious in the Badminton competition, with 6th/8th Dundee winning the FIFA event.

The results were as follows:

Badminton

1st: 1st Ballyclare (Northern Ireland)
2nd: 1st Granshaw (Northern Ireland)
3rd: 37th Nottingham (England)
4th: 1st Largs (Scotland)
5th: 14th North West Durham (England)
6th: 5th Livingston (Scotland)

FIFA

1st: 6th/8th Dundee (Scotland)
2nd: 1st Comber (Northern Ireland)
3rd: 4th Ballymoney (Northern Ireland)
4th: 11th Northampton (England)
5th: 1st Greenock (Scotland)
6th: 18th Gateshead (England)

We were delighted to be joined by Robert Voss CBE CStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, and Mayor of Dacorum Cllr Brenda Link, who helped to present awards and offer their congratulations to the teams.

Our last of three finals days will take place on Saturday 22nd March, which will see more teams from across the UK making their way to Lisburn in Northern Ireland for the Company & Seniors 5-a-side Football Finals.

Check out some photos from the Badminton & FIFA Finals in our gallery below…

Five years on from the start of Covid-19 lockdowns, BBC Radio 4’s Lockdown’s Legacy: The Children will highlight the impact of lockdowns on young people.

Some of our members amongst those who were invited to contribute to this important programme, which will see young people from across the UK sharing emotional memories of lockdown and how it has affected them.

The programme will be broadcast at 4pm today (17th March) and repeated at 9:30pm tomorrow (18th March), and shortly after the initial broadcast you can also catch up on BBC Sounds or here.

Young people from BB groups across the UK gathered at Carronvale House, Larbert on Saturday 1st March to take part in the finals of three of our annual National Competitions.

Over 150 groups have taken part in seven competitions over recent months, including Badminton, Chess, FIFA, 5-a-side Football (Company & Seniors), Masterteam (Quiz) and Table Tennis. Teams take part in a number of local rounds before reaching their regional final and then, if successful, going on to the National Final.

On Saturday teams from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland contested the Chess, Table Tennis and Masterteam finals, with 32nd Nottingham, 26th Leeds and 2nd Coleraine winning the respective competitions.

The results were as follows:

Chess

1st: 32nd Nottingham (England)
2nd: 9th Newtownabbey (Northern Ireland)
3rd: 5th Coleraine (Northern Ireland)
4th: 1st Barnet (England)
5th: 1st Lenzie (Scotland)
6th: 2nd/7th East Kilbride (Scotland)

Table Tennis

1st: 26th Leeds (England)
2nd: 1st Kempston (England)
3rd: 45th Glasgow (Scotland)
4th: 2nd Port Glasgow (Scotland)
5th: 1st Greenisland (Northern Ireland)
6th: 5th Carrick (Northern Ireland)

Masterteam (Quiz)

1st: 2nd Coleraine (Northern Ireland)
2nd: 25th Stirling (Scotland)
3rd: 1st Lisburn (Northern Ireland)
4th: 4th/5th Kilmarnock (Scotland)
5th: 1st Harlington (England)
6th: 2nd Sutton Coldfield (England)

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys’ Brigade commented: “It’s great to see our National Competitions taking place at our centre in Scotland. Not only do they encourage young people to get involved with a wide range of activities we offer, develop their skills and build confidence, they also allow them to meet other young people from across the country, who are all part of the wider ‘BB family’.”

Alongside Jonathan, the newly appointed Lord-Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk, Colonel Charles Wallace – on his first official engagement – joined the BB’s Vice-President Alison Chambers to present awards and offer their congratulations to the teams.

Next up the Badminton & FIFA Finals will take place in Hemel Hempstead, England on Saturday 15th March, followed by the Company & Seniors 5-a-side Football Finals in Lisburn, Northern Ireland on Saturday 22nd March.

Check out some photos from the Chess, Table Tennis & Masterteam Finals in our gallery below…

We’ve been listening to recent feedback from members and are planning on making some changes to how you can contact BBHQ.

The main change will be that from 1st March our phone lines will be closed on Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, when staff meetings and training will be prioritised. This will help us to ensure we have adequate staffing in place to then provide a quality support service during the following hours, when we can be contacted on 0300 303 4454.

• Monday 9:30am to 4:30pm
• Tuesday 9:30am to 4:30pm
• Wednesday 1pm to 4:30pm
• Thursday 9:30am to 1pm
• Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm

Of course you can continue to email us at any time on support@boys-brigade.org.uk and we aim to respond to email enquiries within 2 days.

Remember you might also be able to find the information you are looking for on this website.

In the event of an emergency only outside of the above hours (e.g. an urgent safeguarding matter) please call 0300 303 4454 and an emergency number will be given. This number must not be used for non-urgent enquiries.

Being a part of The Boys’ Brigade has all sorts of positive impacts, and it is always great to hear stories of these from our members.

We had the opportunity to speak to some of our young leaders who took part in our KGVI Youth Leader Training courses about the skills they have gained from BB and how it has benefited their lives.

Check out some of what they had to say below . . .

Have you got a story that you’d like to share with us? Send us an email to comms@boys-brigade.org.uk

In recent weeks BB children and young people across the country have been taking part in a range of activities to get set for Christmas!

Lots of groups have been holding end of term parties and going on trips, whilst many have been joining with their local Churches for Christmas services including carols, nativities, Christingles and more.

It has also been great to see groups supporting their local communities, with initiatives including fundraising for charity and collections for local food banks.

Our 2024 Christmas decoration has been gifted or awarded to thousands of members and supporters, and at this time of year when we reflect on Jesus’ birth and its significance, reminds us of his words in John 8:12 where he said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We would like to take the opportunity to wish you a very happy Christmas and extend our best wishes for 2025.

Check out some Christmas snapshots from across the Brigade below . . .

2024 has been a year filled with activity, challenge and opportunity.

Across the country, our leaders have provided countless opportunities for children and young people to live life to the full and to encounter the love of Jesus.

We held our first Social Media Awards, launched our Elevate training to support and equip young leaders, and focussed our energies on our strategy to improve the quality of experience for children and young people. We completed the sale of Felden Lodge, and although tinged with sadness, will help provide financial stability for the years ahead.

Through funding from DCMS and the Scottish Government we have provided dedicated support to over 180 groups, invested in our programme delivery, and developed new expressions of BB to support Churches in engaging with young people. We have also begun the journey of reimagining our volunteer led support structure as we strive to provide the very best support to our groups.

It has been a busy year! A huge thank you to our volunteer leaders, partners, funders, trustees and staff who dedicate their time and skills so generously to support children and young people be the best they can be.

We look forward to all the possibilities that 2025 will bring.

A very happy Christmas!

Jonathan Eales
Chief Executive

Please note that support lines at BBHQ will be closed from 4:30pm on Monday 23rd December 2024 and will reopen at 9:30am on Thursday 2nd January 2025.

Any general enquiries received during this time will be handled when we reopen. In the event of an emergency only (e.g. an urgent safeguarding matter) please call 0300 303 4454 and an emergency number will be given. This number must not be used for non-urgent enquiries.

It has been great to see BB members across the country getting involved in UK Parliament Week!

UK Parliament Week is an annual event, which this year took place from 18th to 24th November. It aims to help people get informed about the UK Parliament and other administrations, to take action and to make an impact on issues they care about.

Our children and young people got involved in a variety of ways, through holding discussions, debates and votes, quizzes, creative activities and lots more. Some groups also had the opportunity to meet local politicians including MPs, local councillors, mayors, MSs and MSPs.

Check out some photos from our groups below . . .

Featured image: Zöe Franklin, who was newly elected as Member of Parliament for Guildford earlier this year, visiting members of 1st Guildford as part of their Debate Night. Zöe listened to the debate and then held a Q&A with the young people.

Congratulations to Buchan Battalion, who have recently received a King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the work that they do!

The award, which was made on HM The King’s 76th birthday, is the highest given to local volunteer groups across the UK and is the equivalent of an MBE for organisations.

To achieve this award the Battalion was first nominated from the community, and that nomination was then assessed by the Aberdeenshire Lieutenancy through visits and interviews. It required the recommendation of the Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire before the nomination was further considered nationally and approved by the King.

The last few days have seen BB children and young people across the country get involved in activities and events to remember all those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.

A contingent of young people and leaders from 12th Bromley, 1st Irvine, 3rd Kilsyth and 1st Loanhead represented the organisation at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London. Taking place on the morning of Remembrance Sunday, the event was broadcast live on the BBC and included a march past and the laying of wreaths.

Thousands of BB members also took part in Remembrance events in their local communities, including Church services, civic commemorations, collections for the Poppy Appeal, and lots more.

As part of their regular programme of activities, children and young people have had the opportunity to spend time learning about what Remembrance is and why it is important, to think about how they can get involved in supporting initiatives such as the Poppy Appeal, to get creative with a range of Remembrance-themed crafts, and to reflect on the sacrifices made and how they link to Jesus’ ultimate act of love.

BB groups have been posting about their involvement in Remembrance on social media. We encourage groups to post and tag The Boys’ Brigade, and use hashtags #WeWillRememberThem and #BoysBrigade. You can also email us at newsdesk@boys-brigade.org.uk

Check out some photos below showing how our children and young people have been getting involved in Remembrance this year . . .

As children and young people return to their local BB groups one of the first activities they will be encouraged to get involved with is the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign, ahead of World Polio Day on 24th October.

We have worked together with Rotary, who have been part of the efforts to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, to develop a range of new activities focused on the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign.

The partnership is being referred to as ‘Operation Purple Pinky’, with vaccination programmes in many countries seeing children having their finger painted purple to indicate they have received the vaccine and are protected.

The new resources, which were recently launched at an event at Carronvale House, have been created for use with all of the age groups that BB works with (5-18 year olds). They are designed to help give children and young people an opportunity to learn more about polio and the devastating impact it can have, before working together to support the campaign to eradicate polio.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It attacks the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis or even death. Polio has no cure, but there is a safe and effective vaccine.

Gordon McInally, from Rotary International, commented: “Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. It’s concerning to hear how polio has been now confirmed in Gaza. Due to the efforts of Rotary and our partners on polio, nearly 19 million people who would otherwise have been paralysed are walking, and more than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died.”

“Operational Purple Pinky will support continued campaigning, health worker training and vaccination programmes that are essential to stop the disease returning and to end polio. Advocacy and fundraising are also really important and it’s great to be working together with the BB to raise awareness of this disease among young people across the UK.”

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys’ Brigade, added: “We are pleased to be working with Rotary on this project. As a Christian youth organisation we believe it’s important to create a space for children and young people to learn about the challenges, like polio, faced by some of our global neighbours, but also importantly how we can respond and do something to help. We hope to see as many of our groups as possible getting involved.“

Find out more about Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ campaign at endpolio.org

BB leaders can access the new resources on our Programme Hub.

You can also find out more about the partnership in the video below…

We are pleased to announce that we have recently received confirmation from Buckingham Palace that our Patron, HM The King has approved the design of the King’s Badge.

The King’s Badge will become the Brigade’s highest award from 1st September 2024, taking over from the Queen’s Badge. As part of the transition young people currently working towards our highest award will, if applying before 31st August 2024, be awarded the Queen’s Badge, and if applying from 1st September 2024 be awarded the King’s Badge.

There are no changes to the requirements for completing the award. We are currently updating the Record Book and supporting resources and these will all be available to support Advisors, Mentors and Participants from 1st September 2024 at boys-brigade.org.uk/kings-badge

This year we launched our first-ever Social Media Awards, designed to celebrate the creativity, dedication and hard work of our volunteer leaders and young people.

It was fantastic to receive over 90 nominations, which were whittled down to a shortlist of finalists in each of the four categories.

Judging was carried out by a panel made up of representatives from the BB and Refresh PR (our PR agency) as well as Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer at Boots UK, who is a former BB member.

Pete told us: “The Boys’ Brigade made a massive difference to my life personally, I wouldn’t be doing the job I’m doing today and wouldn’t be the person I am today without the Brigade. I am hugely grateful and honoured to be part of these fantastic awards on social media. I want to congratulate all the winners, and thank everyone who took part. Your effort, your work, your creativity is brilliant and these awards have been so much fun to judge. Social media is a great way to tell stories about the impact the Brigade has on peoples’ lives.”

25% of the scoring was decided by a public vote, which saw over 3,300 votes received – an amazing show of support from across the country!

We’d like to say a huge well done to all of the groups who were shortlisted, and congratulations to the winners:

• Best Use of Social Media: For accounts that engage our community.
  • Gold Award: 2nd East Kilbride
  • Silver Award: 11th Northampton
  • Bronze Award: 7th/16th Motherwell
  • Finalists: 18th Halifax, 35th Liverpool, 2nd Wednesbury
• Best Use of Photography: For visuals that tell our story.
  • Winner: 1st Rainford
  • Finalists: 3rd Enfield, 7th Northampton, 1st Rosehearty
• Best Use of Video Content: For the most engaging and inspiring videos that capture the essence of The Boys’ Brigade.
  • Winner: 11th Northampton
  • Finalists: 3rd Bearsden, 18th Halifax, 35th Liverpool
• Best New Account: For any new social media account launched in 2023 that has made an impact in a short time.
  • Winner: 4th Bournemouth
  • Finalists: 1st Barnet, 54th Sheffield, 5th West Bromwich

Thank you to all of our groups for your fantastic work in using social media to share the opportunities that children and young people have to experience “life to the full”.

Time to Shine: Communications Toolkit

Time to Shine is our Communications Toolkit which has been developed in partnership with Refresh PR.

The toolkit is designed to help equip you to talk about what the BB does, the impact it has and how people can get involved. It includes a range of Template Press Releases, Social Media Guides and an opportunity to become a BB Star.

Check out the full toolkit at boys-brigade.org.uk/comms-toolkit

Over the last week, BB members from across the country have had the opportunity to take part in events at Buckingham Palace.

On Wednesday 8th May, a group of Seniors and young leaders were invited to volunteer at a Garden Party which was hosted by HM The King and also attended by HM The Queen and TRH The Duke & Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester and The Princess Royal.

Our members undertook a range of tasks to help ensure the smooth running of the event, which was attended by around 7,500 guests including dignitaries and invited members of the public.

George Burton, a 19-year-old member of 1st Mid Suffolk who was part of the group, said: “It has been a great honour to help out at this wonderful event. I spoke to Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Edward shook my hand. It was great to be able to help people today and I spoke to some really interesting people, including the Head of The British Transport Police.”

The following Monday, 13th May, young people who have recently achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through The Boys’ Brigade attended the Gold Award Celebration event in the palace gardens.

Gold Award holders undertake at least a year of activities covering five areas: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential. Many will have previously completed their Bronze and Silver Awards as part of their journey.

The event was attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who gave a speech to guests, as did BBC Saturday Kitchen presenter and Gold Award holder Matt Tebbutt. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the fantastic achievements of many hundreds of young people.

Garden Party – 8th May 2024

DofE Gold Award Celebration – 13th May 2024

We are delighted to announce that HM King Charles III has become Patron of The Boys’ Brigade UK & RoI.

The announcement comes a year on from the Coronation and follows a major review of Royal patronages by Buckingham Palace.

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys’ Brigade, commented: “Having already been a great supporter of our work and more widely of uniformed youth organisations, we are incredibly proud and honoured that The King is our new Patron.”

“The announcement confirms His Majesty as the fifth reigning monarch to become our Patron, following Queen Elizabeth II, King George VI, King Edward VIII and King George V.”

“Royal patronage provides publicity and recognition for what we do in communities across the country and the hard work and dedication of our volunteer leaders.”

We are incredibly thankful for The King’s continued support of our work. May we encourage you to remember our new Patron in your prayers.

A new BBC Radio 4 short series – ‘About the Boys’ – was aired last week, and some of our BB groups were invited to contribute.

The series gives a voice to teenage boys from across the UK to explain what life is like in 2024, with presenter Catherine Carr talking to teenagers about their fears, worries and ambitions.

The five-part series focuses on themes including life online, education and friendships, and there also reflections from teachers and youth workers.

It picks up on many of the issues which our Youth Culture and Trends report, conducted in partnership with the Youthscape Centre for Research, highlighted last year. You can find out more about this report and read the summary here.

If you missed ‘About the Boys’ last week, you can listen to the series on BBC Sounds or on iPlayer here.

In recent weeks it has been wonderful to see a number of new BB groups get started across the country, including our newest one on the Isle of Skye.

Meeting at Dunvegan Community Hall, the new group held its first session on Tuesday this week and their Leader-in-Charge, Gary Wilson, shared with us how it went.

Gary said: “We had 22 children and young people join us for games, crafts, singing and lots of fun, so a big thank you to all of the leaders and to BB Headquarters for their support and the wonderful resources that we have been blessed with.”

The parents/carers were equally enthused, with one commenting: “It was really nice to see so many children and young people enjoying activities together. It got a good review in our house; my child said that he didn’t just have fun – he had loads and loads and loads of fun!”

It’s fantastic to hear that the group has got to a great start, and we pray for them and all of our groups across the country as they continue to provide opportunities for children and young people to experience “life to the full” (John 10:10).

If you are interested in starting a new group or would just like to have a chat about what The Boys’ Brigade could offer your Church please get in touch by calling 0300 303 4454 or sending an email to support@boys-brigade.org.uk

Pictured are leaders at 1st Isle of Skye taking part in our Youth Leader Training course ahead of the group’s launch.