Meet the County Training Team
Rob Partington (Paddy)
Deputy County Commissioner (Training)
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Email address: dcctraining@gmnscouts.org.uk
My Scouting experience began as an 8 year old when I first joined my local Cub Pack, and I've never left! Since then I've been a Scout, a Venture Scout, Scout Leader, ADC Scouts, District Commissioner and now DCC Training. I still claim that DCC is my secondary role, my main role in Scouting is still being Explorer Leader at Royton ESU in Oldham Borough District. I’m also County Manager of the Activity Permit Scheme.
My professional background is in Primary Education. In September 2020, after 20+ years as a teacher, 16 of them as a head, I left teaching to set up my own training and consultancy business and spend more time working in the outdoors. So, these days I split my time between running courses for schools and other businesses and working in the outdoors as a rock-climbing instructor, mountain leader and as an outdoor education instructor.
When not working or Scouting I am an avid Climber and Mountaineer, something I was introduced to in Scouts, which has led me to the top of many of Europes highest mountains and to places as far away as Kyrgystan. Passing on my passion for; the outdoors, travelling, meeting new people, including everyone and passing on #skillsforlife, to our awesome young people is for me the joy of Scouting, a pleasure and a priveledge
Pat Farr
County Training Manager
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Email address: ctm@gmnscouts.org.uk
GMN is very focused on young people's adventure and fun and I really enjoy working with adults, knowing that the adult training will support their skills and knowledge and in turn that will help young people grow and achieve.
I am an import from Oxfordshire and moved up at the beginning of 2019 - I had been Deputy CC (adult Support) and the CTM in Oxfordshire, plus a range of other Scouting roles from East London Venture Scout roots (you will be able to tell by the accent).
As ACC (Scouts) in London I ran my first Wood Badge Course and never looked back and changed role to Adult Training. I was part of the national team writing a modular programme for GSLs. and Commissioners (new at the time).
I used to work for Guide Dogs and developed a Management Training programme for staff and linked it to the Institute of Management recognised programme and latterly developing new media, digital and electronic support for visually impaired people.
Online training is now part of what we do and on this training website there is a huge programme of face to face courses that cover a range of Adult Training as well as Young Leader events.
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Do explore the courses and book in, it’s easy and you can extend your skills and knowledge for yourself and the benefit of your people.
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Do say hello when we meet up!”
Stacey White
Deputy County Training Manager
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Email address:
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My Scouting experience began before I was born, as my parents met through Scouting many many years ago. I went on my first camp when I was just 6 weeks old and my Scouting life hasn’t stopped since.
My everyday Scouting role is that of Scout Leader at Ainsworth Scout Group, in Prestwich, Radcliffe and Whitefield District. I enjoy running the troop and planning events that give the young people the opportunity to partake in activities that they would otherwise not be able to do.
Every two years I take the Scouts and Explorers on an International trip, 2017 saw us travel to Spain and 2019 we traveled to Switzerland in August for 10 days of adventure. I have my fingers crossed that our planned trip to Austria in July/August 2022 can still go ahead.
Like most volunteers I have to work to pay for my Scouting. My job is with the National Crime Agency, I could tell you more but then I would have to kill you tee hee!
Outside of work and Scouting, I love spending time with friends and family during which time we are usually planning our next Scouting adventure 😊