In This Section
- What is Guiding? What do Guides actually do?
- Story of Guiding The history of Guiding - almost 100 years old!
- Brownie or Guide? The different sections open to each age group
- Volunteering All about volunteering, the rewards and the effort required!
Volunteering
There are lots of ways for adults to help out with Girlguiding depending on the amount of time and commitment that each individual can make. Girlguiding UK has more than 65,000 adult Leaders and we always welcome new recruits! Volunteering is incredibly rewarding - even if its only once a month.
Every Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Senior Section unit has at least one qualified Leader. Units may also be supported by additional unit leaders (known as assistants), unit helpers or occasional helpers. These are described below.
For more information about leading and adult volunteering in St Pancras Division please contact the Division Commissioner. For more general information about volunteering, the benefits it can bring to you and the girls, and the time and effort involved have a look at the Girlguiding UK website.
Unit Leaders
Unit Leaders are women between the ages of 18 and 65. They can choose to lead:
- Rainbows - the youngest girls aged 5 to 7,
- Brownies - dressed in yellow & brown! Ages between 7 and 10,
- Guides - traditionally dressed in blue and for ages from 10 up to 14,
- Rangers and Young Leaders - also known as the Senior Section from 14 up to 26,
The unit Leader has overall responsibility for the unit. The unit Leader is usually supported by assistant unit Leaders. Leaders are given training both 'on the job' and through training sessions. Initially they gain the Girlguiding UK Leadership Qualification and there are further training opportunities available once qualified. Leaders are supported by a mentor while training and there is a local support network.
Unit Helper
Helpers are vital to Guiding. Girlguiding UK has recommended ratios of adults to children, dependent on the age group, so it is vital that units have committed helpers. For example, one additional Unit Helper for a Brownie unit can mean that up to eight more girls can join. If you can help on a regular basis, once a week or fortnight, you could become a Unit Helper, assisting the unit Leader.
Parent/Occasional Helper
Many units have a rota, where a group of parents, adult family members or other adult volunteers take it in turn to help at the unit meeting. Just once or twice a term, it's your chance to get stuck into a wide range of games and activities enjoyed by the girls.