Uniformed groups improve and expand their support thanks to Better Youth Spaces
Whether it’s adventure and the outdoors, or learning valuable life and social skills, uniformed groups provide a way for young people to enjoy new experiences that they may not have access to otherwise. These groups can help build confidence, communication and problem-solving skills, while also promoting resilience, independence, and helping young people forge friendships and connections with positive role models.
Better Youth Spaces has provided funding for 90 uniformed groups across England in 2025/26, totalling £2,631,590. Grants will help to improve provision for young people supported by Scouts, Girlguiding, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and other uniformed groups.
Projects were funded in every eligible Better Youth Spaces region and consisted of 57 grants for vehicles of equipment; 16 refurbishment grants for group halls, huts and spaces; and 17 grants for projects that included both refurbishments and vehicle/equipment.
Here we share a snapshot of some of the projects that were funded to give a flavour of the different ways the grants are benefiting young people supported by uniformed groups.
123rd Manchester Scouts, Noth West
123rd Manchester Scouts’ base at 29 Buckingham Road has operated since July 1977 and requires a full renovation to create more activity space for youth members. Along with the refurbishment, the group aims to buy a minibus for easier transport between the property and Chorlton Water Park.
Anthony Boggiano, Trustee at 123rd Manchester Scouts, said: “The funding will help provide more activities for young people who participate in Scouting and widen the availability of those activities. The external area of the group’s HQ was limited in its use, but the funding will allow the space to be used for most of the year, offering more opportunities for outdoor activities. The minibus will mean more of the group can participate in Sea Scouts that takes place at Chorlton Water Park, which is popular amongst young people.”
Girlguiding South Yorkshire County, Yorkshire and Humberside
Girlguiding South Yorkshire County owns a 34-bed residential property, fully accessible for disabled guests. Currently, there are two bathrooms: one for general use and one accessible facility.
Helen Cook, County Commissioner explained: “The Guide House is mainly used on weekends by all-female groups. Adding an additional bathroom by converting existing storage space would allow school groups to use it during the week, improving financial stability and offering more flexibility for youth stays.”
5th Tower Hamlets Scout Group, London
Many of the families that 5th Tower Hamlets Scout Group supports do not have private cars, so the funding will be used to purchase a 9-seat minibus to transport young people and equipment for scouting activities, enabling them to shuttle youth from local stations to the campsite.
A spokesperson from 5th Tower Hamlets Scout Group, said: “Currently, volunteer cars accommodate only three young people at a time due to safeguarding policies requiring two adults per vehicle. A minibus would let us transport seven young people at once, saving time and making organising activities more efficient, flexible, and reliable.”
Girl Guiding Lancashire Border, North West
Girl Guiding Lancashire Border HQ has a large outdoor area that is rarely used. They plan to build an outdoor shelter for group meetings and activities in any weather, enabling them to welcome guides, the toddler group, and the holiday club for the hearing impaired.
Julia Paradine, Chair of the Properties Team and Trustee for Lancashire Border Girl Guides, said: “The addition of the outdoor shelter on our site has already sparked excitement amongst the groups of young people who use our hall. Unfortunately, the recent very bad weather has meant they have not ventured outside. We see the shelter as being the start of more use of our outdoor space. It will give groups of children a place to meet, chat and play. We also hope to have some planters built to put around the shelter to develop areas where children can plant flowers and vegetables.”
West Mercia Scout County, West Midlands
The Better Youth Spaces grant has allowed West Mercia Scout County to install two log cabins to the grounds of its headquarters.
Ian Skidmore, Chair West Mercia Scout County, said: “This will allow greater usage of the outdoors for our members and will enhance the outdoor barbecue area we have, giving training in cooking to members. We also conduct leader training courses, and these cabins will enhance the ability to continue this important training during inclement weather. Our greatest gratitude to Better Youth Spaces.”