Every improvement at Stroud Valley Scouts tells a story — a story of community support, volunteer effort and the belief that all young people deserve safe, inspiring spaces to grow. This page shares the journey we’ve taken so far, the projects underway, and the plans that lie ahead.
Your donations, sponsorship and in-kind support help turn these stories into reality.
Our buildings and site have supported generations of young people in Stroud. But like many community facilities, time, weather and heavy use take their toll. Over the last few years, we’ve started to tackle some of the most urgent issues and complete small but important improvements — and now we’re preparing for the biggest phase of work yet.
One of our most ambitious projects has been the complete refurbishment of the Coach House — the small, characterful building you can see from the entrance on Hollow Lane. For many years it stood unused, damp and in desperate need of repair. We knew it had the potential to become something special: a warm, flexible space for training, meetings, small groups and community use.
In 2023, after months of planning and fundraising, we received incredible news. The Severn Trent Community Fund awarded us £87,000, and the Bernard Sunley Charitable Trust contributed an additional £5,000. These grants allowed us to take the project from dream to reality.
By January 2024, contractors were finally able to get on site. What followed was a full transformation — a new roof, roof lights, staircase, electrics, kitchenette, bathroom, windows and flooring. Where once stood a tired outbuilding now stands a bright, modern, versatile space ready to welcome young people and the wider community.
View all Coach House refurbishment photos →
We’ll also be sharing the full story — including progress photos and behind-the-scenes updates — in our News section.
Read the full Coach House story →
The Scout Centre has been at the heart of Stroud Valley Scouts for many years. It’s seen thousands of young people come through its doors — and it shows. While we’ve carried out some minor decoration and maintenance to keep the building safe and usable, we know that what is really needed now is a major refurbishment.
We’re working towards a phased programme of works to refurbish the Scout Centre so it can continue to serve future generations. This will take time, funding and support, but it’s essential if we’re going to keep the building open, welcoming and fit for purpose for many more years to come.
Follow our Scout Centre journey and see what we’ve been up to →
We’re fortunate to have a fantastic outdoor space — a rare asset so close to the centre of Stroud. At the moment, much of our effort goes into simply keeping on top of basic maintenance so the area remains safe and usable for games and activities.
Looking ahead, we want to do much more than just maintain it. Our vision includes:
These are significant projects that will take planning, funding and practical support — but they have the potential to transform our outdoor space into an even more powerful part of our programme.
Follow our outdoor space journey and see what we’ve been up to →
Thanks to community donations, we’ve been able to replace some worn-out equipment and purchase new kit for camps, hikes and skills sessions. From tents to tools to activity materials, these upgrades help deliver a better programme for every young person who steps through our doors.
Although we’ve made huge progress on the Coach House, the biggest work is still ahead of us. Our current and emerging projects include:
If you or your business would like to help with any of these projects, we’d love to hear from you.
Looking ahead, we know that keeping Stroud Valley Scouts thriving will depend on completing these major projects. Our long-term plans include:
Some of these future projects are eligible for naming recognition through our Platinum Sponsorship tier.
Every improvement we’ve made — and everything still to come — has been made possible by people like you. Whether through donations, sponsorship, skills or time, your support helps us:
Thank you to everyone who has helped us so far. We couldn’t do any of this without you.
If you’d like to support one of our projects or get involved in any way, we’d love to hear from you.
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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