A POLITICIAN has joined the Scouts in a new social impact campaign which aims to help end homelessness.

Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin met with Scouts from Romford and astronaut Tim Peake to talk about the matter within the community.

The a Million Hands campaign aims to get 500,000 Scouts from across the country to take part in community action activities.

The Scouts have announced over the next four years, young people will work with the support of charity experts to tackle six of the UK’s biggest social issues.

These include homelessness, mental wellbeing, disability, refugees and displaced children, kindness and the environment.

Sir Bernard said: “The whole Scouting movement makes a massive contribution to society and is irreplaceable and I support the a Million Hands Campaign.”

Astronaut Tim Peake, campaign champion, praised the latest campaigners and encouraged more Scouts from Harwich to get involved.

He said: “I’ve had the privilege to see Planet Earth from 400 kilometres up.

“It’s an incredible sight.

“Through the space station’s cupola window you can see clearly for thousands of miles across the Earth’s surface in all directions.

“The campaign is about raising awareness across six themes.

“And what’s so exciting is that they’re chosen by young people themselves.

“Over the past 100 years, the issues we’ve tackled have changed, but our young people’s drive to make a positive impact remains as strong as ever.”

Alongside the partner Crisis, the Scouts will deliver targeted campaigns to about local 40 councils, selected as a result of research undertaken on homelessness provision.