New chill space for Venturers
Master of the Freemason Forest Lodge, Harold Thomson, centre, cuts the ribbon to open the scout’s den with Venturers Lachlan Scott, left), Caitlin Gerritsen, Lucas Sinclair, Ella Rainbow, Liam Hall and Brienna Cross. Photo: Supplied.
A group of Venturers at Richmond Scout Group that came up with the idea to turn an empty room into a calm den have had it carpeted for free with funding from the local Freemasons.
Richmond Scout Group leader, Hannah Williams, says the Venturers aged between 14 and 18 came up with the idea for their Better World Wellbeing badge.
A couple of rooms above the scouts’ hall were full of junk and there are a number of neurodiverse youth who the group thought could use a place to chill out sometimes.
“For neurodiverse, sessions can sometimes be too much and this is a welcoming space to chill out and have a bit of calm. Or it can be a place to have a breakout session and talk.”
When the scouts group looked at carpet for the space it was suggested they talk to the Freemasons for funding, and that resulted in a carpeted den at no cost.
Freemasons is a private fraternal association of men who contribute toward the public good.
“They’ve been more than generous and organised a free sign into the den as well.”
Hannah says the Venturers are “stoked” with the den which has bean bags scattered around it and says it has been a quite an achievement for them.