‘Be prepared’...to be a better consumer

The Consumer Council and Scouts NI have developed a new consumer awareness programme designed to ensure younger shoppers are aware of their rights when they shop online or on the high street. Successful Consumer Scouts will be awarded with a new Consumer Scout badge.

Scouts from Islandmagee Scout Group were the first to receive their badges, which were awarded by former Scout Sammy Wilson MP. Commenting on the initiative, Mr Wilson said, “I would really like to congratulate Scouts NI and The Consumer Council for this excellent partnership and launch event. Just because some of our consumers are younger or may not have the same financial responsibilities, it does not mean they shouldn’t have the same access to consumer knowledge. I am pleased to see how the young Scouts will have a greater understanding of their consumer rights, especially when it comes to buying things on the internet. The knowledge they have gained will mean they can act as consumer champions, going out into the community to help their friends and families better understand their consumer rights.”

Speaking about the initiative, John French, Chief Executive of The Consumer Council said; “We thank Scouts NI for working with us to develop the Consumer Scout initiative. Our research shows young people are often unaware of their basic consumer rights and can lack the confidence to complain if they buy something that is faulty or if they receive poor service. We hope these young people use their new consumer skills and share what they’ve learnt with friends, family and schoolmates.”

Anne Nicholson, Northern Ireland Scouts Commissioner said, “This initiative recognises that our Scouts need consumer skills to help navigate a complex commercial world. Young people are constantly being bombarded with advertising messages, and need the skills to spend wisely, shop safely, and to complain if things go wrong.”

For more information on the Consumer Scout initiative, please get in touch with Ronan Convery, Senior Consumer Empowerment Officer by email: r[email protected] or call: 0800 121 6022