Dwayne Fields began his journey with the Scouts in Palmers Green at the age of seven

A former scout in Palmers Green has been chosen as the new leader of the movement in the UK.

Born in Jamaica, Dwayne Fields began his scouting journey as a seven-year-old with one of Enfield borough’s local groups and has continued to lead an adventurous life in adulthood – becoming the first black Briton to reach the North Pole.

Dwayne is also a TV presenter, fronting programmes for Channel 5, Disney+ and National Geographic, and is following in the footsteps of Bear Grylls, who had served as the UK’s chief scout since 2009.

Now living in East London, a key part of Dwayne’s mission will be to attract new volunteers and welcome more people into the Scouts movement, which includes half-a-million young people around the UK.

Dwayne’s investiture as chief scout took place in Bounds Green and was attended by several young people from Enfield, thanks to his local connections. He said: “Scouts helped shaped who I am today and I hope my story will encourage others to join and achieve their dreams.

“My volunteer leaders believed in me as a young person and taught me to believe in myself. They showed me I could do anything I put my mind to and others would help me along the way. Now I want a new generation to learn the skills for life, friendship and belonging I felt when I needed them most. I want to show that the outdoors is a place for all us to be at our best and truly open to all.

“I am calling for more volunteers to step up and make a difference to young people’s lives across the country.”

Jenny Thorp, a volunteer from 4^th Enfield Scout Group, said: “Dwayne was so inspirational, I think he will be a great chief scout. He related really well to the young people at the event and will inspire more adults to come and volunteer. I’ve learnt so much as a volunteer, it directly led to me becoming a teacher. It has changed my life.”

James, a ten-year-old cub scout from 4^th Enfield, added: “Dwayne will be a great chief scout for the future. He was so good at the axe throwing activity, he taught be how to do it and I got a lot better. Every scout in the world takes the scout promise and I was super proud to help Dwayne with his.”

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