Volunteers needed to help run popular cadet forces group
Thursday 8th February, 2024
Atten-tion! Volunteers are needed to help run a popular cadet forces group that has seen recruit numbers grow from four to nearly 40 in just over two years.
Parade nights and activity sessions at City of Truro Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, based in Heron Way, Newham, have become very busy, with even more youngsters on the waiting list.
Leaders here are delighted to see so many eager faces every week, taking part in a wide range of activities, from parades to assault courses, team building, boating and fundraising.
Back in 2021, the unit was struggling to back up and running after covid and had just four cadets on the books.
Now, there are more than 40 youngsters aged between 10 and 18 who want to come and take on new challenges every Thursday evening. There are even plans to organise a second parade night in the week to cope with rising demand.
CSgt (SCC) Freya Peachey says the growth of the group has been incredible to watch but now more volunteers are needed to help keep everything running smoothly.
She’s looking for people to give up a few hours of their time to a range of different roles, including administration and fund-raising, as well as providing boots on the ground as instructors during training nights.
Training is provided and volunteers have the opportunity to gain qualifications in skills such as powerboating and sailing.
“We have exploded in cadet numbers and we’re at capacity now, which is great to see,” said Freya. “We need to expand our staff numbers now in any way shape or form that we can.
“We can be flexible and can work to what time people can offer.”
Freya was a cadet before she became a volunteer and has worked with units all over the country before taking over the running of City of Truro Unit. She says there’s a real sense of achievement when you’re able to watch kids grow into confident young people. Often cadets take part in activities and experiences that push them out of comfort zones, such as having a go in a sinking ship simulator, practising their sailing or even building model volcanoes.
There are also more formal events to take part in, including National Armed Forces Day and Remembrance parades.
“The kids we’ve got here are brilliant, really lovely and polite,” said Freya. “One of our cadets has been with us for four years and it’s great to see them grow into a young adult.”
City of Truro Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets recently held an awards evening to honour the young people and volunteers who made an extra-special contribution.
“It was a great evening,” said Freya. “It was nice to be able to give something back. We couldn’t run the unit without the people who invest their time with us.”
To find out more, see https://www.sea-cadets.org/truro; https://www.facebook.com/TruroSCCandRMC/