Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison met with 37 young leaders from The Boys’ Brigade in Scotland last week at a special ceremony to mark 60 years of the King George VI Youth Leadership Training Course (KGVI).

The 37 young people, aged 17 to 21, come from all over Scotland and are taking their first steps into leadership in the organisation by attending Part One of the KGVI course at the organisation’s national training centre in Carronvale House, Larbert from Saturday 1st until Friday 7th August.

Dr Morrison got the opportunity to see the course in action and also hear from the young leaders themselves on their experiences of The Boys’ Brigade and the ambitions of moving into leadership.

The Moderator remarked on the recent growth of The Boys’ Brigade:

“There’s really encouraging signs that the BB is coming into its own again. The BB is one of the principal ways in which the Church connects with young people and I look forward to the relationship between BB and Church going from strength to strength.”

He also paid tribute to the KGVI training course and emphasised the encouragement it gives the wider BB organisation and the Church. He said:

“The standard of the training is very high indeed and this inspirational KGVI course is one of the signs that The BB is flourishing . The need for young leaders to guide and support for a following generation has never been greater.”

The visit was focussed on marking the 60th Anniversary of KGVI. The course, which began in the 1950s in memory of King George VI, is a two year programme which covers key aspects of The Boys’ Brigade training equipping young leaders to lead activities in their local groups. It includes a two week residential course and allows young people to show and develop their skills, regardless of academic ability, which they can transfer into the workplace or further education.

Speaking after the visit, Bill Stevenson, Director of The Boys’ Brigade Scotland said:

“We have had a fantastic day at Carronvale welcoming the Moderator to our national headquarters to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Boys’ Brigade KGVI youth leadership programme.

“It’s a privilege to have hosted this special guest and I thank the Moderator for his encouraging words about the opportunities our organisation provides for young people across the country.”

The KGVI Course is SCQF Credit Rated by the SQA and, since its inception, over 2,300 young leaders have benefited from this training.