B&NES Council’s Community Awards celebrate the valuable contributions made by individuals and organisations across Bath and North East Somerset. Saltford Parish Council is delighted to have resolved to nominate Saltford resident Graham Bush for the ‘Willson Volunteer of the Year’ award.
Saltford Parish Council chose to nominate Graham in recognition of his three decades dedicated to enabling young people through his work with Saltford Scouts and Wansdyke Scout District, coupled with his recent vision to create a new Explorer Scout Unit linked with Fosse Way School in Radstock for young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
Through his initiative at Fosse Way school in 2024, Graham has identified a different type of provision for young people with special needs to participate in Scouting that was not previously available within B&NES.
SPC views that Graham has created a shining light on the diversity of Scouting in B&NES and opened up fantastic opportunities to young people who would otherwise miss out on the skills for life at the heart of the Scout movement.
Photo of Graham as District Lead Volunteer for Wansdyke District Scouts with four of the Saltford Scouts who were awarded ‘Gold Awards’. Photo taken at Saltford Scout hut on 12 December 2024, with permission kindly granted by their parents.
Graham is known to many residents through his many years given to Saltford Scouts, and is often seen at Saltford Scout hut assisting with sessions of all ages, as well as in his role as District Lead Volunteer for Wansdyke District Scouts.
During the closed session at its December 2024 meeting (draft minutes here) where the decision to nominate Graham was discussed and resolved, Councillors spoke very highly of Graham and the contribution he has made both as part of Saltford Scouts for over 30 years, and also at a B&NES-wide level.
Graham’s time with Saltford Scouts started when he joined as a Cub in 1980. Graham’s first adult appointment as Assistant Scout Leader for Friday Troop in Saltford was on his 18th birthday in June 1990 (followed by a 18th Birthday party in the Scout Hut!). Graham has followed in the footsteps of his father who also volunteered for Saltford Scouts for many years (from c.1980 until well into the 2000s as a Cub Leader, Scout Leader and as a Executive Committee member once retired). Graham’s son James also joined Saltford Scouts as a Cub, and is now one of the ten new Fosse Way Explorers. Scouting clearly runs in the family!
This is the first time in many years that Saltford Parish Council has nominated a resident for the B&NES Council Community Awards, demonstrating the high esteem that SPC holds for Graham and recognition for his many years of work dedicated to generations of Saltford’s children and young people.
When approached about the nomination, Graham’s shared that ‘part of our inclusivity piece is not only providing Scouting for SEND young people but also, where appropriate, to hold joint activities with other Explorer Units across the district to share friendships ideas and skills’. This has already involved a joint activity with Saltford’s Explorer Group (Argus Explorers) in September for a joint trip to the Steam railway in Midsomer Norton. Graham also added ‘I am only able to do this due to knowing I have many fantastic people that support me and give up their time to help make all of this a reality, Scouting truly provides skills for life to both the young people and adults involved’.
Saltford Parish Council views that Graham empowers young people in Saltford and beyond to make a positive contribution to society and ensures that Scouting in B&NES is indeed for all. Saltford Parish Council sincerely hopes that Graham’s inspirational and exceptional voluntary work as part of Wansdyke Scouts to champion inclusivity as well as his decades of dedication to the wellbeing of local children and young people will be recognised by the panel.
A copy of SPC’s full nomination to B&NES Council’s Community Awards can be found below.
Photo shows Graham with Bear Grylls (10th Chief Scout) at Windsor Castle in April 2023 following him being awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn for continued distinguished services to Scouting in 2022
B&NES Council’s Community Awards aim to recognise the positive contributions made by individuals and organisations across the B&NES area. A panel made up of partners make the decision based on the criteria of the Awards. More information including criteria can be found on B&NES Council’s Community Awards 2024 page.
Saltford Scouts in need of volunteer leaders – can you help?
If you’ve been inspired by Graham please do contact Tina Curtis at Saltford Scouts to express interest in volunteering as a leader. Tina can be contacted on 077720 353701 and at tina.curtis@wansdykescouts.org.uk
You do not need to have any personal Scouting experience nor have children at Saltford Scouts (many don’t!). You will be supported throughout your time volunteering by the other leaders and those involved with Saltford Scouts, including receiving basic training and a uniform. You do not need to dedicate years to the Scouts either, though many find that when they start they enjoy it so much they stay for decades (like Graham and Tina!).
As Tina says, the more volunteers who become involved means the amount of time leaders need to give can be spread out more evenly. Some existing sections (sections = Beavers, Cubs, Scouts etc.) at Saltford Scouts are at risk of closure if more volunteer leaders do not step forward soon, so becoming part of the leader team would be a great way for those looking for a voluntary opportunity in the village to make a real difference to local children and young people.
As Graham shared when handing out Gold Awards at the Scout Hut in December, volunteering really is an enjoyable and fun experience at Saltford Scouts – and that any expression of interest to find out more will not taken as a sign of commitment! So please do get in contact with Tina if you are thinking of getting involved to find out more about what is involved.
More information about Wansdyke District Scouts can be found at https://wansdykescouts.org.uk/
SPC’s nomination of Graham Bush for the ‘Willson Volunteer Award of the Year’
The Willson Volunteer of the Year Award: The Willson Volunteer of the Year Award is named after Jenny Willson, a former employee of Bath & North East Somerset Council who passed away in 2023. Jenny was known for her leadership in promoting health and wellbeing initiatives within the community. The award will acknowledge volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to the community. Winners of this category will be selected by the Judging Panel.
Saltford Parish Council is nominating Graham Bush in recognition of over three decades dedicated to supporting and enabling young people through his work with Saltford Scouts and Wansdyke Scout District within B&NES, coupled with his recent vision to create a new Explorer Scout Unit linked with Fosse Way School in Radstock for young people with SEND.
Following 30 years of service to Saltford Scouts, Graham’s current role as District Lead Volunteer for Wansdyke District Scouts has seen him implement his vision of a new Explorer Scout Unit linked with Fosse Way school. This new Unit, launched in April 2024, is for students aged 14-18yrs who have a wide range of needs and abilities. Through this initiative, Graham has created a shining light on the diversity of Scouting in B&NES and opening up fantastic opportunities to young people who would otherwise miss out on the skills for life at the heart of the Scout movement.
Graham joined Saltford Scouts as a Cub in 1980, and his son James, who has autism, delayed development and hearing issues, started his own Scouting journey in Saltford too. As James approached the age for Explorer Scouts, Graham identified that for young people with additional needs to thrive in Scouting at this age they needed a different type of provision, not previously available within B&NES.
In 2024 Graham set about engaging with Fosse Way School for young people with SEND and the Scout Association to achieve this, showing drive and tenacity to set up the new Explorer Scout Unit linked to Fosse Way School. The unit currently has 10 young people, and Graham aims to increase to 20 members during 2025. Graham’s engaging programme is filled with a range of activities providing the young people with the opportunity to gain skills, have fun and they have Explorer Scout camp nights away planned for 2025.
Graham’s vision for the group and its inclusivity is not only providing Scouting for SEND young people but includes holding appropriate joint activities with other Explorer Units across B&NES, sharing friendships, ideas and skills.
As well as developing and leading the Fosse Way Explorers, Graham’s District role includes an overview over all nine Scout Groups across the District, using his years of experience to support the Groups through advice, troubleshooting, strategic assistance and training.
Through his time in Scouting Graham has always been a huge presence inspiring young people. He has served as Saltford’s Group Scout Leader, Assistant District Commissioner for Wansdyke and is still a regular supporting sessions in Saltford along with his weekly Fosse Way meetings. He is very much involved with mentoring the next generation of leaders in Saltford. Graham’s dedication to Scouting sees him regularly spend four nights a week and most weekends volunteering with a mix of meetings, planning, work with the young people, administration and general support including weekends away and a week long summer camp for the Scout section.
When informed of the nomination, Graham responded ‘I am only able to do this due to knowing I have many fantastic people that support me and give up their time to help make all of this a reality, Scouting truly provides skills for life to both the young people and adults involved’.
Graham empowers young people to make a positive contribution to society and ensures that Scouting in B&NES is indeed for all. Saltford Parish Council sincerely hopes that Graham’s inspirational and exceptional voluntary work as part of Wansdyke Scouts to champion inclusivity as well as his decades of dedication to the wellbeing of local children and young people will be recognised by the panel.
Graham Bush at Saltford Scout Hut, December 2024