Bumper year for Boys’ Brigade

THIS year has been yet another extraordinary year for The Boys’ Brigade in Scotland. I’d like to say a particular thanks to the 4,000-plus volunteers of all ages who helped make BB events and activities happen throughout the year.

As an organisation we offered more than 50,000 hours of youth volunteering with just under 1,500 young people alone getting involved. Thanks to these volunteering opportunities we’ve seen members grow in confidence while learning new skills, all helping to develop a new generation of active citizens, something of which I am extremely proud.

It’s not just been the volunteering which has seen great success: 450 BB young people achieved the Queen’s Badge, 150 earned their Duke of Edinburgh Awards and two of our former members competed in Team GB in Rio.

On a personal level, 2016 has also seen me take up the role of CEO for the BB UK and ROI, a position I want to use to help grow and strengthen the organisation.

Looking forward, the BB will offer more opportunities for young people to take a lead and become positive role models as we’ve seen throughout 2016, but in the meantime I’d like to wish everyone, including all friends and families that have supported the organisation over the years, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Bill Stevenson, CEO, The Boys’ Brigade UK and ROI, Carronvale House, Larbert.