District FAQ - West Oxfordshire District Scouts

Answers to common questions regarding West Oxon District Scouts. If you can’t find what you need either here or on other pages please use the contact us form

Licenses and insurance

PAME Insurance

Personal Accident and Medical Expenses insurance for Scouts

You never know when an accident may happen. Being prepared is a way of life in Scouting, but sometimes we all need a little help to cope with the unexpected. That’s why we’ve developed Personal Accident and Medical Expenses insurance for Scouts.

Please see the Unity Insurance website for details of the cover provided

At the Oxfordshire Scouty Scouts Trustee conference in June we had a very useful session with Unity insurance who confirmed that the County PAME (Personal Accident and Medical Expenses) policy covers the Districts and Groups within it. The PAME insurance covers non-members, including parents, helping on events. If you are paying for this policy, we encourage you to review whether it is still required.

If you require further details and copies of policy documents please contact the County Staff Team

OSM

District and County subsidise OSM for all sections

All sections get an annual Gold level OSM entitlement. Contact the County Office here to obtain your Discount code.
Extras above Gold level must be paid by the group direct to OSM

Motion Picture Licence

Oxfordshire County have a Motion Picture Licence

As a county we have purchased a Motion Picture licence for every section in the County. You can now watch your age appropriate movies during a Scouting activity knowing that the licence fee is covered.

If you need a downloadable copy please contact the County Staff Team

Financial Assistance

Minibus and trailer grants

Moving young people or kit around is often a key part of taking your group away or even a task done on a weekly basis. We recognise that there is a license required to do this and as time goes on the number of licenses that qualify is diminishing. We can support you to undergo the test for a minibus or trailer license if required to make Scouting in your area happen. Full details of the grants we offer for this can be found here .

New section grants

Both the District and County may be able to provide small grants to help cover the cost of setting up new sections.
New sections must meet the criteria on the County Website and apply to County in first instance. District will then consider a further or additional grant on merit in addition to the County Grant.
However our funds are more limited and will be targeted where most needed so please make use of resources available from County as you are more likely to receive funding in the first instance

To apply see the County Website at New section grants

There is also funding and grants from Scout HQ and other sources please see Grants and funds for your local group

Hardship Fund

West Oxon District Scouts has a small hardship fund. Funds can be used to make a small grant or loan as appropriate to enable young people to take part in Scouting activities where they might otherwise be unable to due to cost of uniform, equipment, fees etc.

All applications are treated in confidence and on merit, please contact our DLV to discuss before applying to our Trustee board

District Resources

County Equipment

Oxfordshire Scout County owns several items for use at events and other large activities. These items are available for loan during periods when they are not used for County events. These include a climbing wall, trailers, tow vehicle, large scale catering equipment, tables, marquees etc

For more information and to book see County Support & Resources

Tents

The District doesn’t own tents per se but it may be possible to borrow some tents from District Explorer Units or from Oxfordshire County Scouts. Please contact