Trying to include families in financial hardship in Scouting?

[Bumble2021]

Hello 👋🏻
I’ve a family at the local Beaver Scouts that literally cannot afford the monthly subscriptions. Looking online, everywhere says that no one will be excluded from Scouting due to financial problems, but when the mum spoke with the GSL about being unable to pay her child’s subs, she was told that they had “never had anyone not be able to pay before!”, which I thought was probably not the most sensitive thing to say!
Any mums, especially those who are Scouting or Guiding leaders, have experience in this area? I’ve only been volunteering for a couple of months, so this is all new to me.
Thanks for your time ladies x

@ineedaholidaynow

Do the cadets get help from the Army etc for funding? Their subs do seem lower than scouts etc

Most things are paid for. Subs don't go anywhere except the unit's funds, where they are used to buy pay for things for cadets. This could be new equipment or an and of year party. Some counties have joining fees but these are locally set and aren't very high (ours is £20). Like pretty much all our fees, they are negotiable for those in a difficult financial situation, you just need to speak to the staff about it. Those on free school meals are not required to pay for food when away on camps, which is a reduction by £2 something a day.

Other things that are low cost are DofE expeditions as we already run expeditions in house. A Bronze or Silver expedition usually the normal camp fee minus food (as participants provide it), around £10. Gold is normally a bit more expensive as they usually run as national courses as they have to be in certain parts of the country. We also sometimes have access to grants to supplement DofE costs.

My kids don't go despite really wanting to because we can't afford it. That's why the lady had never had someone not being able to pay before. Silly cow.