Leaders provide young people with exciting and challenging experiences and then help them use those experiences in their personal and social development. Leaders are encouraged to develop their own skills through formal and informal training experiences and sharing ideas with each other.

Skills Instructors help Leaders by training young people on specific activities or interests such as swimming, cooking, climbing, computers or crafts. Becoming a Skills Instructor takes up less time than being a Leader, but many people often find that the role of Skills Instructor is a good introduction to Scouting and go on to be Leaders. Becoming a Skills Instructor is also an excellent opportunity to complete service projects for schemes like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Adults often find that becoming an occasional Helper or Supporter is a rewarding way of offering a little of their spare time. The exact function of Helpers and Supporters will vary locally but examples are as wide ranging as making drinks for Beaver Scouts to driving minibuses for Venture Scouts.

All warranted leaders now also have to be certified in first aid to the level of First Response. This doesn't become compulsory for another year or so however at 1st Wokingham almost all our leaders now have undergone training to obtain this certification, and those who haven't will be certified soon.