What’s on for youngsters in Falkirk: Activities & adventure for children aged four to 18 in the Boys’ Brigade

A world of fun, friendship and adventure awaits for young people – and it’s right on your doorstep!
Ad Feature by Eighth Falkirk Boys’ Brigade
Published 1st Feb 2024, 07:00 GMT
Do your young people need some new adventure and activities? Picture – suppliedDo your young people need some new adventure and activities? Picture – supplied
Do your young people need some new adventure and activities? Picture – supplied

There are 15 companies across Falkirk that have regular sessions offering activities, crafts, sport and the chance to learn and develop skills from chess to cross country, football to first aid and drill to Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

They are open to young people as young as four, and for the older ones (up to 18) there’s the chance to get involved in the community, attend the annual camp, attain the King’s Badge and even become a youth leader themselves.

The Boys’ Brigade has changed a lot in its 140 year history – not least in that some companies are able to take girls too. But the organisation still maintains the same principles and values - existing to develop skills and build confidence and to encourage youngsters to make friends, take responsibility and make a real difference in their communities.

Boys’ Brigade companies around Falkirk have places for new members and helpers. Picture – suppliedBoys’ Brigade companies around Falkirk have places for new members and helpers. Picture – supplied
Boys’ Brigade companies around Falkirk have places for new members and helpers. Picture – supplied

Its many volunteer leaders go through special training, to ensure they can deliver engaging, enjoyable and safe activities with young people from all walks of life. All, of course, are P.V.G. (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) checked.

Welcome to the Boys’ Brigade

It’s easy to find your local company and get in touch to learn more. On the website there’s lots of information about and you can pop in your postcode to find your nearest group.

Most groups meet at least weekly in term time, often in schools, church halls or community halls, and are split into age-appropriate sections:

From chess groups to cross country, drill to Duke of Edinburgh Awards, football to first aid – your young people could be doing so much. Picture – suppliedFrom chess groups to cross country, drill to Duke of Edinburgh Awards, football to first aid – your young people could be doing so much. Picture – supplied
From chess groups to cross country, drill to Duke of Edinburgh Awards, football to first aid – your young people could be doing so much. Picture – supplied

Anchors: For Primary 1, 2 and 3. Meetings last around an hour

Juniors: Primary 4, 5 and 6. Meetings last around an hour and a half.

Company: Primary 7 to S6. Meetings last two to two-and-a-half hours.

What do they do?

Organised activities include things like five-a-side, badminton, cross country, basketball, chess, volleyball, table tennis, first aid, drill and marching skills as well as a host of craft activities, quizzes and the like. As a Christian organisation there is also an element of spiritual teaching, but as Brian Allan, Captain of 2nd Larbert from Larbert Old Church, explained a company doesn’t have to be attached to a Church of Scotland but can be part of another denomination and the Boys’ Brigade members, while encouraged, do not have to be churchgoers.

“My philosophy is to give a basic grounding in the Christian Faith and allow the young people to take it further if they wish,” says Brian.

Belonging to the Boys’ Brigade opens up many opportunities – to make friends and enjoy time with others the same age, to compete, to take part in events such as Remembrance Day parades, and to work towards awards in various categories including: getting active, being adventurous, being creative, getting involved, get learning and into the bible.

Boys’ Brigade members help in the community too. In Falkirk this might mean working at the hospital’s WRVS café, helping in a charity shop or joining the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers for example.

As they progress through the age groups there are more and more opportunities to gain awards and work towards the highest award in the Boys Brigade, the King’s Badge. This would involve working within the Boys Brigade and/or Church, working in the community, developing an interest and/or skill and/or completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“It’s about learning life skills and helping them to become good citizens,” says Douglas Pennie, of 1st Falkirk from Grahamston United Church, Falkirk.

Covid has sadly resulted in a drop in numbers, explains Douglas, some of the very young members have not had the opportunities to socialise as much because of it, so meeting and playing with young people the same age in an organised way can have huge benefits for confidence and skills. But it also brought benefits, Brian says, with greater use of technology such as PowerPoint presentations, online activities (like quizzes) the programme is more in tune with the young person of today.

For the younger ones – and their parents – it can be a way to meet new friends outside school and socialise. Parents are welcome to leave the young ones there or, especially when they are very young, can stay to support and encourage – they might even like to become leaders themselves.

Could you be a leader?

The Falkirk companies are also looking for more volunteers to help run the sections, in particular more women to come forward. Anyone over 18 is welcome – you don’t have to be a former Boys’ Brigade member just have an understanding of young people.

“If someone is willing to give their time up and enjoys working with young people that’s a good start,” says Douglas. “If they have other skills to offer then that’s a real benefit.”

Full training is given. This could be the accelerated level – KGVI - which involves a couple of weeks’ of residential courses, a year apart and work experience with a Boys’ Brigade company. The KGVI course also counts as points for entry to university and college.

Another option is the Youth Leader Training course which also includes attendance at a residential course where they meet like minded leaders.

15 companies offering regular sessions

This is where to find regular sessions and their latest news:

1st Falkirk (Grahamston United Church) - Facebook: 1stFalkirkBB

3rd Falkirk (The People’s Church Falkirk) - Facebook: 3rd Falkirk BB

4th Falkirk (Falkirk Trinity Church) - Facebook: 4th-falkirk.boys-brigade

7th Falkirk (Falkirk Baptist Church) - Facebook: 7th Falkirk Boys' Brigade

8th Falkirk (Bainsford Parish Church) - Facebook: 8th Falkirk Boys Brigade Events

2nd Bo’ness (St Andrews Church Bo’ness)

1st Bothkenner & Carronshore (Bothkenner & Carronshore Parish Church)

1st Grangemouth (Abbotsgrange Parish Church) Facebook: 1st Grangemouth BBs

7th Grangemouth (Zetland Parish Church)

1st Haggs (Haggs Parish Church)

1st Larbert (Larbert West Parish Church) - Facebook; 1st Larbert Boys’ Brigade

2nd Larbert (Larbert Old Church) - Facebook: 2nd Larbert Boys’ Brigade

5th Larbert (Larbert Baptist Church)

1st Polmont (Brightons Parish Church) - Facebook: 1st Polmont Boys Brigade

2nd Polmont (Polmont Old Parish Church) - Facebook : 2nd Polmont Boys' Brigade

Find out more

To find out where your local Boys’ Brigade company is in Falkirk, or to speak to a someone about joining, or find out more about becoming a leader, visit the website and put in your postcode to find your local group.