Jersey Sea Scouts volunteer helps shape future leaders

BBC News

18-07-2025

A volunteer who has helped hundreds of children in Jersey improve their water skills says his aim is to teach them independence.Mike Vasse helped with the formation of the Jersey Sea Scouts and has played a key role in carrying out activities for youngsters over the past three decades.He has been nominated for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards for his service.The group teaches children skills such as kayaking, camping and power boating.
Mr Vasse said he had helped expand the work the scouts did in the island."It teaches them how to be independent," he said."We've taught them enough when they leave home or go to university that they can look after themselves."We've got a really good team, and we've got two young leaders helping us out, and they're learning to be leaders which is great and it's all part of scouting."
Mr Vasse said the group had been a major source of support after the sudden death of his wife."They're always there for me," he said. "Without them I would've struggled."
Julian, who became a Jersey Sea Scout leader, said: "I've been with the sea scouts for 10 years now."Mike has been here before I started and helped me through all of my training and qualifying as a leader."I've always been learning from him."
Jersey Sea Scout volunteer leader Sam Wiseman nominated Mr Vasse for the awards."We're always looking for people to step up and volunteer," she said."It's only thanks to volunteers like Mike who come along and make sure our activities happen."My children have gone through the scout troop and Mike was their mentor when they were young leaders and they still look up to him."The BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Award winner will be announced in September.