The SSC - a club for the youth of Scotland

The SSCa club for the youth of Scotland

A review of the aim

By Catch the LightNovember 2013

Purpose

To support SSC to review its aim. To form a consensus on the future

direction, without losing touch with the SSC’s historical roots and ethos.

Overview

243 Responses 200 fully completed (82.3%) The survey was distributed to a

database of 1167 members 16 opted out and 207 bounced 26% response rate (from 944) 47.2% are male and 50.3% female

The respondents

This gives a picture of who the respondents are – your membership.

Highland &

Islands18%

Grampian & Tayside

23%

Fife & Forth Valley6.7%

Greater Glasgow, Argyle &

Clyde19.7%

Lothians & Lanarkshir

e26.4%

Borders, Dumfries & Galloway

6.2%

Where members live

26%

15%

7%13%

11%

8%

11%

9%

Ages of Members

11-15 16-17 18-20 21-2930-39 40-49 50-59 60 or older

Almost half (47%) of all members responding to the survey are under 20

School Member

Active Officer

Subscribing Associate

Associate

Parent

39.1%

24.6%

16.8%

12.8%

6.7%

Current roles in SSCHalf got

involved through school (50%).

Others got involved through friends (26.6%) and family (21.4%)

None joined through their church.

Camps Attended Since 2010

members have attended 1.79 camps on average (less than one each year).

During 2000 to 2009 members attended 17.29 camps on average (more than one each year).

15%

44%

41%

How familiar are you with the SSC and what it does as an organisation?

Not very familiar Quite familiar Very familiar

33%

59%

8%

Do you consider yourself to be-long to any particular faith?

Yes NoPrefer not to say

More than two-thirds do not/prefer not to say (67.5%).

E.g. “Just good moral values.”

“I am Muslim but I don’t consider it a faith.”

19%

74%

8%

Would you describe yourself as an active Christian?

Yes NoPrefer not to say

The vast majority of members (81%) are not active Christians (or prefer not to say).

Explanations I follow the principles but I am not a church

goer - this was a reason for joining SSC. It didn't ram religion down your throat but made you think.

I was raised as a Christian but as I've grown up I've lost that part of me.

If there was one religion I would sign up, but 2,800 to chose from?

Christian principles apart from bigoted and homophobic views.

Nowadays I question the true meaning of faith.

The SSC

The following reflects how members view the work of the SSC.

Portavadie 1955 Struan 2013

Youth activities

Healthy activities

Spiritual development

Adventures and challenges

Encourages young people to contribute effectively

Encourages young people to be responsible

Outdoor activities

Teamwork

Good role models

Life skills

Camping

New experiences

Raises young people's confidence

Fun

Friendship

10.7%

11.2%

12.0%

13.3%

15.5%

16.3%

16.7%

17.2%

18.5%

21.5%

23.6%

26.2%

43.3%

47.2%

75.1%What the SSC means to its members

New experiences

Encourages young people to contribute effectively

Fun

Raises young people's confidence

Friendship

24.1%

24.1%

39.5%

46.9%

53.9%

What SSC does best – the top 5

Activ

ities

Make [activities] more relevant to their lives outside the SSC

Shift in discussion groups to more focus on confidence building/life skills/reflection

Provide more practical advice/training with qualifications that young people can use on CV

Make activities more goal-orientated (but still fun!)

Opera

tions

Continue to allow young members the chance to express their views and take responsibilities on

More training with staff - improve youth work skills

Involve young campers in fundraising Make use of high profile former members More targeted recruitment Better marketing

Reviewing the Aim

To help its members to discover the full meaning of the Christian Faith for themselves and for the world.

2 years or less

3-5 years

7-10 years

11-20 years

21-30 years

31 years or more

11.3%

22.6%

8.1%

6.5%

4.8%

46.8%

25.2%

25.2%

6.1%

21.7%

12.2%

9.6%

Length of involvement in SSC

Belonging to a faith Not belonging to a faith

I'm fully aware this is the aim of the SSC

I had no idea this was the aim of SSC

The aim should be reviewed and adapted

The aim should stay the same

It's important the aim appeals to other faiths and those of no faith

The aim should be re-written to appeal to more young people

By dropping the current aim we will lose our values and identity

Changing the aim can be done without watering down our Christian values

46.0%

15.5%

36.0%

9.5%

58.5%

39.0%

10.5%

29.0%

Members views about the aim of SSC

I'm fully aware this is the aim of the SSC

I had no idea this was the aim of SSC

The aim should be reviewed and adapted

The aim should stay the same

It's important the aim appeals to other faiths and those of no faith

The aim should be re-written to appeal to more young people

By dropping the current aim we will lose our values and identity

Changing the aim can be done without watering down our Christian values

Members Views: a comparison of males & females

Female Male

I'm fully aware this is the aim of the SSC

I had no idea this was the aim of SSC

The aim should be reviewed and adapted

The aim should stay the same

It's important the aim appeals to other faiths and those of no faith

The aim should be re-written to appeal to more young people

By dropping the current aim we will lose our values and identity

Changing the aim can be done without watering down our Christian values

Members views: a comparison of those that say they belong to a particular faith with

those that say they don’t

Don't belong to a faith Belong to a faith

Feedback Out of date. We are far more

spiritual than Christian, in my opinion. Same values but more inclusive and appealing.

I think the fact that I didn’t know the aim is good, it shows that SSC show Christian values without forcing them down people's throats

Most of our 'Christian values' are shared by most other main faiths and by being less explicitly 'Christian' it does not mean we should not promote the opportunities to explore our faiths, beliefs, spirituality and fellowship with other people (eg, discussions and epilogues). It's good to talk!

Change the aim then dissolve the club. The aim is the club.

Spaces for children to be comfortably and openly Christian in a public mixed environment is dwindling. The SSC retains the ability for children to be religious openly alongside others who do not affiliate - this important healthy atmosphere should not be compromised by excluding all religious opportunities in the SSC.

A new aim

We asked members to have a go at re-writing the SSC aim. Here are some of the responses...

Friendship (34) To provide a community of friendship for

young people based on the principles of solidarity, respect and tolerance.

To enable young people to make lifelong friendships, have fun and become positive role models in the future.

The SSC is here for the campers to have a chance to explore their beliefs and share there faith with friends new and old.

To encourage members to understand the true value of friendship and the importance of community.

Fun (24) To provide a trusting community, and to help it's

members take our community values of trust, tolerance and fun into their wider communities.

To offer experiences for young people which are fun and will help them to develop as individuals including discussion of serious issues underpinned by a Christian approach.

To teach children the benefit of working together, the thrill of trying new things, the importance of fun, to appreciate everyone for exactly who they are, and how to use these skills and develop them going forward into their adult life. (but more catchy!)

Faith (21) To help young people understand the importance

of everyone’s faith, values and identities. To bring some faith, happiness, love, giving and

hope into all young children's lives. To help its members appreciate the opportunities

in any faith to bring an understanding of an individuals contribution to society in a positive way and to better understand the complexity and influence in today’s world to promote a greater good.

To encourage its members to be worldwide citizens who encourage others through understanding of their beliefs and values.

Moving Forward

What should a modern SSC focus on?

Young People• Fun & friendship• Faith, values & beliefs• Skills & confident• Positive & relevant experiences

Core People• Recruitment – new volunteers & officers• Training - improve youth work skills• Teamwork – taking responsibility• Leadership – at all levels

Organisation• Survival strategy• Fundraising• Wider reach & marketing• Strengthen programme & activities