Queen's Guide Award recipients this October

More than 80 young women from around the UK have received Girlguiding’s top accolade, the Queen’s Guide Award, at a special ceremony held at the House of Lords. 

The awards were presented by Baronesses Angela Smith, Judith Wilcox and Jan Royall; as well as Chief Guide Gill Slocombe – herself a Queen’s Guide.

‘Guiding has changed my life as it has provided me with the opportunity to progress my life skills and has encouraged me to be pro-active within the local community,' said recipient Lara McToal,  from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.

'It has provided structure in my life over the last 20 years and has empowered me to challenge the community’s perceptions of young women. I hope I have also inspired young women to be productive members of society,’ she added.

At the ceremony, Gill offered her congratulations to the participants for the hard work that they had put into getting the award: ‘Over the years the Queen’s Guide Award has given many young women an amazing sense of empowerment and confidence. I hope they will serve as an inspiration to many more young women all over the country who are thinking about getting involved in guiding.’

To obtain the award, participants needed to work on a number of areas, including developing a personal skill, outdoor pursuits and community action projects. It is only open to Senior Section members aged 16 to 25.

View tweets and photos from the event below: