After years of loyal service, the Home Contact system is moving towards a well-earned retirement. It's replacement, InTouch is now available to all.

It is the result of a year-long, Movement-wide consultation, followed by a six-month trial in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, South West Scotland and Wiltshire. InTouch will be implemented across the UK between now and 1 September 2010, and your District Commissioner will be able to let you know when your District is moving across from the Home Contact system. 

What is InTouch?
InTouch is a system for managing communications that need putting in place for all activities in Scouting. It differs from the Home Contact Scheme in that it allows you to put in place the systems that are most effective for your event, rather than following the same specific system for every type of event. As such there is no requirement for a third-party ‘Home Contact’ every
time you take part in an activity, although this could still be an option that you choose to use.

Weekly meetings
InTouch also recognises that the reasons for having an effective communication system are just as relevant for a weekly meeting as they are for a camp or activity day. Therefore, InTouch is a requirement for all Scouting events, including programmes at your regular meeting place. This doesn’t mean lots of work in setting up new systems every week – it should simply need a discussion between leaders to ensure they have thought about all the areas within InTouch. Most groups are likely to find that they are already doing most or everything that is identified.

You can find out more information about the new system at www.scouts.org.uk/intouch/