Past Innovates

Centenary Innovate 2010

On the 5 February 2010, 200 Senior Section members from across the UK, travelled to Bedfordshire for the largest Innovate yet!

Throughout the weekend, participants were given the opportunity to have their say on a wide range of topics affecting Girlguiding UK today as well as discussing current Girlguiding UK initiatives such as Welcoming All, Social Networking Worldwide, Reach Out and Recruit and the future of GOLD. With the ideas that were generated being fed back to CHQ, participants had a fantastic chance to make their voices heard and really contribute to the future of guiding!

On Saturday night, the venue was transformed into Innovates very own carnival, complete with dancing, side shows, giant inflatable's and a surfboard simulator! Participants dressed up in a dazzling array of sequined, carnival themed outfits, with one group even transforming into a very impressive Chinese dragon!

The silent auction that ran throughout the evening was an incredible success, raising a fantastic 385.39 for breast cancer charities.

 Innovate really did combine the excitement and spirit of a Girlguiding event, with the more serious issues that Girlguiding UK faces as we move forward into the next 100 years. As one of the participants said, Innovate was a fantastic way to celebrate the centenary and give something back to guiding which is exactly what Innovate 2010 was all about.

Innovate Dalguise 2008

By Jemma Lindley

Innovate Dalguise was my second Innovate and I loved it as much as my first. It was a long days travel to the PGL centre near Pitlochry, Scotland but it was well worth the journey.

Over 100 Senior Section members from all over the county made the trip to Scotland to be part of yet another successful Innovate. The weather wasn't brilliant, in actual fact it rained...quite a lot! However this didn't damper any of the participants' spirits.

Throughout the weekend participants got involved in workshops including Too Young Too Choose, Hard up not Left out and Girls shout out!. Much energy and thought were put into these workshops and as a result much information is getting fed back to CHQ. We look forward to seeing the fruits of our labours.

The participants got the opportunity to get involved in something they may not have done before these included a trip to Pitlochry town, a trip to a whiskey distillery (dangerous for some!), Bags for bags, Scottish cooking and many of the outdoor adventure activities available at PGL.

Saturdays evenings entertainments began with a Scottish Ceildh, all participants dressed to Sparkle, grabbed a partner and hit the dance floor. That evening other entertainments included a screening of Buffy the Musical which meant those who were enjoying the cake decorating and bath bomb making had to endure the wonderful singing capabilities of one particular participant...beautiful!

There was also a silent auction which was a huge success. As a result of the auction and other donations throughout the evening Innovate Dalguise raised 232.63 for the Mental Health Foundation.

Innovate is a great opportunity to have your say about your Girlguiding UK. It is also a time to make new friends, catch up with old ones and most of all have fun!

Innovate Wroughton 2008

By Valerie Copenhagen

On the weekend of 7 - 9 March 2008, over 100 Senior Section members headed to Wroughton in the South West, excited and ready to get involved in the first Innovate of 2008.

Participants took part in workshops on a range of guiding topics led by the Planning Team. These included Youth Participation, evaluating the Senior Section CD, social networking and what it means to guiding, human trafficking and looking forward to the future of guiding in 2020 (aptly named 2020 Vision)

There were also opportunities to get involved in balloon sculpting, survival skills, Tai Chi and much more.

The legendary Saturday night was themed Heroes and heroines and, still in costume, we listened to Guiding Star winner Samantha Laurilla sing. Thanks to all the people who paid 50p to eat from a 4ft chocolate fountain we also raised over 250 for the events chosen charity, Swindons Womens Refuge!