Volunteers'
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In Volunteers Week 2019 we decided to run a social media campaign to help spread the word about some of the roles our volunteers carry out and introduce you to some of those volunteers. As the week progresses, you'll find snippets on our Facebook and Twitter pages, but you'll be able to read the full interviews about our fabulous volunteers below. Click on the header photos to jump to their interview.
Zen, Leader
with 3rd Cam Rainbows Zen has been a Leader for 20 years, firstly with Brownies and for the last 11 years with Rainbows. She loves the network of support she’s built up over time, making new friends through Guiding. What does your role involve doing? "As a leader I plan activities from cooking and craft to gardening and DIY. With the new programme this is great! Recently I invited a local small holding to join in. They brought chickens and rabbits to come meet the girls. I don’t think the girls have ever been more engaged or excited. I also organise trips and sleepovers from climbing to soft play and tents inside halls. There are so many badges and themes now this gives a Rainbow Leader far more ideas and scope and, as the Unit Meeting Activities options grow, this is challenging us to think outside the box and do new things. I’ve recently been doing the ‘Screw, Pop, Fill’ activities; teaching them how to use screw drivers, hammers and trowels went down so well. So messy but so much fun and I genuinely thought they have learnt a useful tool. There is of course admin; planning, risk assessments, first aid, permission forms, accounts, training and logging details safely on GO but I have a good team and we all focus on our strengths." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "I gain skills in talking with children and seeing what really gets them excited, or occasionally troubles them. I find it rewarding when I have a very quiet/shy girl, when they start to grow comfortable and find their voices is in my group, this is the biggest reward for me. I also like seeing friendship groups form with girls from different schools, then you see them out and about and realise that your group helped that bond to happen and creates more memories." How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "I think giving the girls a safe space and a variety of activities helps the community grow. They inadvertently learn respect and caring for each other through the activities we provide and they take these skills through life with them and in turn influences their community. Our Young Leaders learn to take responsibility for activities and take ownership to lead the girls through their planning without the pressure of being the leader from the outset. I have seen this lead them into apprenticeships and jobs that they may not have got without the confidence and skills gained in the unit." What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "I love the challenge and the friends I have made. I honestly feel at home with all the leaders I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years and with social media keep in touch with them far and wide constantly sharing ideas. I have made friends with parents over the years and love hearing how well their children are getting on when I bump into them." What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "Do it! I think the confidence this has given me has also helped me in my career. If I can manage a room/field full of girls then I can manage anything." Any other comments you'd like to add "There are so many roles in Guiding that there is no need to panic. We have some helpers that commit to one session a month and other leaders that run multiple units every week. You can learn and grow as you go, I have loved being a Brownie and Rainbow Leader but with work commitments, becoming a parent myself and doing part time studies, I currently run just the Rainbow unit however love getting stuck into additional activities when the schedules align." |
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Erica, Leader in Training
with 2nd Moreton-in-Marsh Rainbows and 1st Moreton-in-Marsh Brownies Erica started volunteering as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award 6 years ago and has never looked back! She was a Young Leader and became a Leader in Training when she turned 18, working on her Leadership Qualification. What does your role involve doing? "My role is so varied - one evening I can be helping to plan the term and the next I can be running the programme assisting with activities from crafts to experimenting to playing games and singing songs." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "Volunteering has undoubtedly given me so much from learning and developing new skills such a team working and communication to the satisfaction of supporting young members watching them develop into confident young women." "But the biggest thing that I have personally got out of this role is a growth in confidence, a confidence to aim big and go further." How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "This role is so important in helping young members in Girlguiding Gloucestershire as it helps keep units open so that girls can attend, making new friends as they develop through their guiding life." What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "The best thing about my role is seeing so many smiles on the faces of young members, hearing them laugh and enjoy themselves." What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "Go for it, make a difference!" |
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Bethany, Young Leader
with 1st Yorkley Brownies Bethany has been a Young Leader with 1st Yorkley Brownies for three years. Young Leaders are our Leaders of the future and Bethany helps the Leaders to plan and run games and activities for the girls. What does your role involve doing? "My role as being a Young Leader is to be a part of the planning what activities to carry out for the term. As a Young Leader, I also get to carry out some games, deliver some badges. I’ve carried out the skill’s builder badges, and I’ve also carried out an unofficial Christmas badge and an unofficial dinosaur badge." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "What I get out of this role is self-satisfaction because it makes me happy when I see that girls have had a fun time and thoroughly enjoyed the activities that we have carried out. The thought that I have helped others during our meetings makes me extremely happy." How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "Girlguiding Gloucestershire really does support young members. I just joined as a volunteer just to get some experience. But a few months in, my Leader put me in for my Young Leader qualification. This boosted my confidence so much. After that, she has now put me in for my adult leadership. They’ve supported me so much through the training." What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "The best thing about the role is the amount of proud and amazing moments you have during Girlguiding. The moments you get with the girl where they are laughing or saying how happy they are because of the activities you’ve carried out. That is the best thing about Girlguiding." What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "If you’re thinking of joining Girlguiding as a volunteers whether it’s for Rainbows, Brownies or Rangers, it is an amazing opportunity. Your leaders that you will be with every week, are so supporting and understanding." |
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Maddie, Commissioner
for Battledown District Maddie’s been a District Commissioner in Battledown since September, a role she shares with 2 others. Being part of a team is a great way to spread the load, make sure everyone gets the support they need & keep the Guiding/personal life balance. What does your role involve doing? "Making sure everyone in our district is happy and offering support when needed, keeping GO up to date, visiting units to make sure everything is running smoothly, helping to organised District events and lots more!" What do you personally get out of doing this role? "I love being a DC because it makes me feel like am helping the other leaders in my area to keep Guiding going strong which, in turn, helps the Girls get the most out of their time in Guiding. I also love meeting other members and this role has allowed me to do this through meetings, training and events." How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "By helping other leaders and units with anything they may need help with we are making sure the girls can carry on having the best Guiding experience possible." What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "I have been a member of Battledown District since I was 7 years old (14 years) and now, being able to hold an important role in my district, allows me to pay back to all the people that have made Guiding so great for me!" What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "Do it! It is a lot of work but it is so rewarding! And you may be able to do what I have done and share the load with other people in your district." |
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Sam, Commissioner
for Robinswood Hill District Sam has been a Commissioner for about 18 months and loves it. A Commissioner is like a local Coordinator, making sure everyone is supported and happy and passing on information to and from the County. What does your role involve doing? "Taking care of lots of units, making sure everyone gets the help they need to make Guiding a great experience for everyone, checking everything is up to date with trainings and awards." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "I get satisfaction out of being able to help others deliver great experiences. I’ve definitely gained many skills from being commissioner - major organisational skills, as well as being a support to others. I’ve enjoyed training others with the new programme too. I’ve done a lot through Guiding and feel that it’s my time to give back to those Guiders who supported me throughout the years!" How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "I’m a support to leaders and the other adults in my area which consequently helps the young members as the adults feel they can deliver fantastic opportunities to the young people in their units. I’m able to pass on information to guiders about various events and trainings that our young members can take part in, as well as be someone who fully supports Guiding in the local area - I enjoy recruiting new adult volunteers - you’re never too old to join Girlguiding!" What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "The best thing about being a commissioner for me is that I’m able to see amazing experiences taking place for young members across my district. I also love the fact that I can pass on the skills that Guiding and the leaders before me have passed on, ready for the next generation of adult volunteers! " What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "It’s a fair bit of work, especially on top of leading a Rainbow unit, however it’s totally worth it. The opportunities it gives you to visit units and socialise with Guiding family is great. It teaches you a lot about yourself as well as giving you skills that are useful management skills which could be transferred into the workplace." Are there any other comments you'd like to add? "Being a volunteer in Girlguiding is something that makes me who I am. Without Guiding I wouldn’t be the confident, resilient woman I am - it’s taught me so much, given me many skills and helped me to achieve so much in my life. I can’t imagine life without it!" "(The photograph is of me holding a snake at my Rainbow’s reptile party - I’m petrified of snakes but my Rainbows helped me to pluck up the courage to touch and then hold one - it’s amazing the power of the support of 5 year olds! It just goes to show that Girlguiding isn’t just for the young members!)" |
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Frances, Treasurer
for 1st Chipping Campden Brownies Frances became Treasurer with the 1st Chipping Campden Brownies 20 years ago when she was a Leader and wanted to continue to support the team once she finished as a Leader herself. What does your role involve doing? "It’s a very interesting role as you hold the purse strings to whichever Unit, District or Division you are Treasurer for." "It’s a very important role as you help to maintain that unit helping by making sure they always have enough funds for whatever Activity or Event they may have planned or be planning to hold." "It gives the Unit Leader the security to know you will advise her if funds are becoming low, so with your help can find finance from other sources, be it fundraising or applying for a grant." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "It’s very satisfying to know the girls benefit as they will be given a varied programme of activities and outings etc, being able to enjoy Guiding is very important and the more fun and interesting we can make it for them the better." What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "Girlguiding is such a brilliant association to be involved with. Knowing whatever role you decide to take you will be welcomed and you will enjoy every minute meeting new friends young and old, who will be your friends for life." "A volunteer who takes on the Role of Treasurer will be a valued asset to whichever area she volunteers in; Unit, District, Division or County." |
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Helen, Administrator
for Forest South Division Helen has been the Administrator for Forest South Division for 2 years. Helen loves being part of the Division team. She supports the Commissioner in a range of tasks from communications to risk assessments to booking buses for events. What does your role involve doing? "I support the Division Commissioner in her role. I take minutes at the Division meeting and circulate these. I ensure that all communications that the Division Commissioner wants circulating around the Division is sent. I write Risk Assessments for Division Events. I have been arranging buses recently for Division trips. I arrange venues for Division events and recently for the County Performing Arts Workshop being held in our area. I ensure that Leaders are up to date with their Safe Space and First Aid Training and arrange local trainings for Leaders. Most of all I am here and available so that Leaders can ask questions. I need to be up to date with what is happening in our Division and County all the time." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "With this role, I feel involved. It is great to see the photographs on the Division website of the girls having new experiences and knowing I had a hand in that. I feel that I help with the preparation for the big events. It is a great feeling when the events happen and every thing runs smoothly. I like to be useful and this is a role where I can make a difference." How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "My role is vital in ensuring that communication is is kept open between County and Division and District and Units and Trefoil. Our girls and Leaders benefit from this and from the events that we organise locally." What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "I am just so proud of being part of Forest South Division Team. We may be small but we achieve so much. The Leaders that make up this team are amazing" What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "For anyone taking on this role in the future, I would say that 2 things; 1) you will learn new skills; and 2) the sense of achievement is better than any paid job." |
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Sally, Mentor
for Gloucester Division Sally is a Mentor to new Leaders in Training working on their Leadership Qualification. She’s an important part of the support new Leaders receive when they start their journey with us. What does your role involve doing? "Supporting leaders in training in completing their leadership qualification. This could be a newbie in training or a current leader adding more modules to their qualification." What do you personally get out of doing this role? "The biggest reward I get from doing this role is making lasting friendships. My life is much richer since taking on this role." "From meeting so many wonderful people, I gain a wide array of fresh, new ideas that I can use within my own units." "Being a mentor has helped develop my confidence and leadership skills which have been transferable into my job as a Special Needs Teacher." How would you say this role helps Girlguiding Gloucestershire support our young members? "Girls can achieve their leadership qualification from the age of 18, so this role can really shape the future of Guiding. Teaching young adults leadership skills, giving them responsibilities, showing them that their voice can be heard and giving them the skills to pass this onto the youngsters in their units (our future leaders)." "I received my leadership qualification as an 18 year old, because someone believed in me and showed me that I could do it. That someone just happened to be my Mum!" "I have watched my mum carry out this role for many years and always admired the care and commitment she showed towards the mentees. I knew it was my turn to follow in her footsteps." What is the best thing about the role to you personally? "The best bit of the role is seeing each volunteer grow in confidence and self belief over the qualification period. Then witnessing their hard work being rewarded when they achieve their qualification. The pure joy in their smiles and pride in their hearts is overwhelming." "I hold a few other roles within Guiding, but this role is the most rewarding." What would you say to anyone else thinking of taking on this role? "Go for it!" "Someone is waiting for you to believe in them and show them that they absolutely can achieve it!" |
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