Innovate developed from Girlguiding UK Junior Council (AJC) in 1999. The then Chair Helen Fawley proposed that the council should change, allowing more people to attend, express their opinions and share their ideas. A new millennium brought a new forum and a change for the future and for the better.

The old style Junior Council was the only formal way that the voices of the 16 to 26 age group could be heard within Girlguiding UK. It was also Girlguiding UK’s way of finding out what this age group thought of new projects and ideas and getting their suggestions. Yet, only three people from each Country or Region could be appointed to AJC. How could a small council of only 30 members be the voice of the Senior Section? From this came the idea of the Forum.

A pilot forum was held in autumn 1999 and this was a huge success. Leigh Fergus was elected to become the first chair and it was under the direction of Leigh and her team that Innovate, the first Girlguiding UK Forum for Young Women, was held in June 2000. Then in 2001–2003, the Chair was ably in the hands of Melanie Selby and a nearly new team.

Now Innovate is changing. 2004 sees it move into July from its usual slot at the end of June. And that’s not all – from July 2004 Innovate will be run every eight months, with the running and planning alternating between two planning teams.