Dwayne Fields, the UK Chief Scout who overcame a tough upbringing in London, guest edits with a focus on volunteering and homelessness. He shares his powerful journey from a life of crime to kindness, highlighting how outdoor adventures can empower urban children. Dwayne discusses the transformative effects of volunteering in scouting, promoting inclusivity and respect. He also reflects on the societal neglect of homelessness and critiques the wellness industry’s dark underbelly, advocating for transparency in healing communities.
Dwayne Fields highlights how volunteering, especially in scouting, empowers individuals while fostering community support and friendship among local youth.
He shares his transformative journey from a troubled childhood to advocating for youth empowerment, emphasizing the significance of kindness in changing lives.
Deep dives
The Importance of Volunteering
Dwayne Fields emphasizes the transformative power of volunteering, particularly within the scouting community. He believes that volunteering not only benefits the volunteers themselves, fostering skills and confidence, but also strengthens communities by providing support and camaraderie to local youth. Fields' personal experiences with scouting have profoundly impacted his life, equipping him with the tools to overcome adversity and make positive changes in society. He stresses that fostering a culture of volunteering can lead to happier individuals and more cohesive communities.
Personal Journey and the Need for Kindness
Fields shares his journey from a childhood in Jamaica marked by poverty to facing challenges as a teenager in London, where he encountered violence and hardship. He recounts a pivotal moment when a gun was aimed at him, which sparked a desire to change his life's trajectory and advocate for youth empowerment. His experiences have instilled in him the value of kindness, demonstrated through a moving story about a train driver who offered him words of encouragement during a period of homelessness. Fields advocates for everyone to show small acts of kindness, as they can have a significant impact on those who are struggling.
Inclusivity in Scouting
Fields addresses criticisms about the scouting movement being too 'woke' and emphasizes that scouting has always been inclusive, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds. He articulates that scouting reflects societal values and stresses the importance of treating all participants with respect, regardless of their identity. By focusing on friendship and skill development, scouting provides a nurturing space for young people. Fields dismisses negative perceptions, asserting that the core mission of scouting, to offer support and positive experiences, remains unchanged.
UK Chief Scout Dwayne Fields is the Today programme's Boxing Day guest editor.
Dwayne grew up on an inner city estate in London and turned away - in his words - from a life of “weed, cocaine and guns”.
He speaks to Nick about his life and about the focus of his programme - volunteering.
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The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
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