A DOVERCOURT Sea Scout group could be forced to close if more volunteers are not found by the end of the month.

The 4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts – based at Navigator Hall on Barrack Lane – are looking for volunteers on Thursday nights to help run sessions for children of all ages, including Beavers and Cubs.

Group Scout leader Julie Talbot, 50, said without more volunteers the group will be forced to close at the end of October.

“Ideally, we need another four - that’s our minimum," she said.

“The issue has been ongoing but has been worse since Easter and a big issue is shift work and work commitments as well as family commitments, so having more volunteers helps there."

She added: "We are encouraging more flexible volunteers, so if we had more volunteers they they could do less.

“We got some new volunteers for the Scout section from the Shanty Festival, being at the Redoubt, so that was excellent.

"Now we are looking for volunteers for Cubs and Beavers on Thursdays.”

Scout leader volunteer Aaron Harper, 30, said: “I’ve been volunteering for nearly six years, starting before Covid.

“I was a Scout when I was younger. I never really wanted to leave but college’s late evenings which fell on the Scout night got in the way.

“It is a good group. We do a lot of fun stuff going camping, and it’s so enjoyable and rewarding.

"But we are absolutely crying out for volunteers at the moment.”

Resources are available to help adult volunteers, as well as training with experienced volunteers to offer support and guidance.

The Beaver colony is on a Thursday night between 6pm and 7pm while the Cub pack runs between 6.15pm and 7.45pm.  

Volunteers with any experience or skills who can spare between 60 to 90 minutes on a Thursday night are asked to contact tendring@essexscouts.org.uk.