Meet the Boys' Brigade still growing in membership after 59 years

The First Lenzie Boys' Brigade, which provides life skills and opportunities to children and young people, has "never seen" such an influx since before the Covid pandemic.

Callum Dewar, company captain for the First Lenzie Boys' Brigade, said: "It feels great to have so many new people interested in the Boys Brigade.

"Young people have been our biggest ambassadors in this.

"They've been telling their friends at school about Boys' Brigade and brought them along to sessions, and even parents have to talk to other parents in the playground."

The current influx has been seen in every sector of the First Lenzie Boys' Brigade.

Callum said: "The biggest influx has been within the youngest age group; our anchor boys’ group, which is primary one to three.

"We even have a waiting list for that.

"We've also got loads of new members in our company section, which is primary seven to second year.

"And we have 60 young people now involved in our Friday night meetings and Pipe Band sessions.

"We know we must be doing something right when we're getting so many new people wanting to join, and people are talking about it."

With the current cost-of-living crises, Callum and the team see the influx as nothing but good timing.

Callum said: "In the Boys' Brigade we can do things that otherwise people can't afford, especially with the current cost-of-living crisis.

"So, it's an important place to be in right now, in order for people to experience things they otherwise couldn't."

In the coming months, the brigade is taking 40 young people to Murrayfield for the Scotland vs Italy game, the boys will also be getting a trip to the zoo and senior members of the Brigade will be getting to see a Glasgow Clan game at Braehead in March.

To counter the newly rapid growth in membership rates, the Boys' Brigade is now looking for "new blood" to join the team.

The lower age limit to apply is 16 and there is no upper age limit to volunteer for the organisation.

Volunteers must be "positive, up for running games and crafts with young people, and be eager to run expeditions with members of the boys' brigade."

The First Lenzie Boys' Brigade was set up 59 years ago, with the aim of helping young people "live life to the full."

As well as offering young people free activities and groups to join, including five-a-side football, residential trips and crafts, the group also encourage the boys to give back to the community.

Callum said: "Four of the men in the group have been working in a local foodbank and helping out in Linlithgow Church for their young people's project.

"We also have young people who have been litter-picking across Lenzie and various other areas.

"This helps us to show adults that we have faith in our young people and what they're doing.

"Also, the kids get such a smile on their faces and learn fellowship, and that's the biggest and best thing we get out of it."

To get in contact with the First Lenzie Boys Brigade, click HERE