It feels like only yesterday when we were interviewing Ayesha Karim – our UK Youth Lead
– for the first time, as she took over the role from Ollie Wood four years ago. But now the
time has come to pass on the mantle once again, with Satvika Mishra taking on the role at
3PM on Saturday at the main stage.
It’s been a busy few years for Ayesha “a rollercoaster” as on top of her UK Scouting role,
she’s also finished her Manufacturing Engineering degree at Cambridge, all while continuing
to volunteer with her local group.
Ayesha is particularly proud of her work supporting District and County Youth Leads across
the UK, especially surrounding the Youth Lead Support weekends her team has been
organising for the last few years. Between improved training directed specifically at the role
and better communication between Districts, Counties and the UK Youth Team, Youth Leads
across the country are able to share resources and feedback more effectively, which has
directly fed into the new Scout strategy and programme reforms.
What’s next? Well Ayesha starts a new job as a consultant next week (good luck!) but for
now she’s going to continue volunteering with her local Scout group as her primary role.
In terms of words of advice for her successor, Ayesha stressed that she didn’t believe in
regrets, only lessons to be learnt from. Also, there are so many good things happening, don’t
feel like you have to reinvent the wheel. Focus on what’s at the heart of it all: making a good
experience for young people.
Now, Satvika wasn’t expecting much when she submitted her application “I was in the
middle of my exams, and I saw Ayesha’s post on Instagram. And I never saw myself in that
kind of role but thought why not. If nothing else, it’s just a bit of interview practice!” But
little did she know that within a few weeks, she would be receiving a call from Carl, inviting
her to take the position.
Inspired by Ayesha and the path she’s formed already, Satvika is most looking forward to
seeing what it’s like to work with the UK Leadership team, as well as meet lots of young
people. She’s also looking forward to working with people surrounding the new Scout
strategy, as she believes it’s the reason many of us leaders are here today.
“Cubs was such a place for me where I could be myself – my Cub leader was great and
really gave me the confidence and inspiration to do what I do.”
Satvika has been a volunteer with her local group since 2022, and is also a unit leader with
Unit 32 for the 26th World Scout Jamboree in Poland next year. In her spare time, she plays a
lot of sport “even if I’m terrible at it, it’s still fun” particularly enjoying bouldering, which
she believes fits her well as a Mathematician.
Satvika: What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Ayesha: It’s all about the people. It’s all about your team and your relationships with them.
Make sure you give time to them, and assume the best in everybody. Because that’s what our
organization is built on and how many communities out there can say that? Ours is very
unique.
