People of colour in guiding

Creating a welcoming space in your meetings and activities

A warm, inclusive first impression helps young members, volunteers and families of colour feel they truly belong in Girlguiding. Small actions at the start can make a lasting difference.

Names and introductions

Take time to learn and pronounce names correctly. If you're unsure, politely ask how to say a name and use the name the member or family prefers. You could keep a private note of names written phonetically so you can get the pronunciation right every time. Getting pronunciation right shows respect and signals that everyone’s identity is important. To avoid singling anyone out, you might ask all members in your unit to write their names phonetically, so that it becomes a common practice of inclusion.

Uniforms

Uniforms are fun and can provide members with a sense of belonging. But they should feel comfortable and inclusive for all. Be clear with families and volunteers that adaptations are welcome and highlight flexibility rather than making anyone feel different for needing adjustments. Encourage and celebrate individual expressions such as jewellery or traditional dress alongside wearing uniform.

Food

You don’t have to wait for families to raise any concerns. Ask in advance about dietary needs, including cultural and religious requirements such as halal, kosher, or vegetarian food. Try not to make assumptions - make sure you're asking all families this information. A good way to do this is by capturing dietary requirements. You could ask the question: 'Do you have any dietary requirements you’d like us to know about (like vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, food allergies, etc.)?'. Check out our dietary requirements page for further guidance.

Representation matters

Make your meeting space a reflection of a diverse Girlguiding community. Use posters and displays that represent people of colour and celebrate different cultures. You can also use unit meeting activities (UMAs) to start conversations and highlight contributions from people of all backgrounds.

We’re very excited to be partnered with The Black Curriculum on activities for every section that are all about celebrating Black, African and Caribbean culture. Read all about these activities and resources.

Reflective questions for leaders

• Does our meeting space show that girls from all backgrounds are welcome?
• Would a new member or family of colour feel they belong here straight away?

Meaningful communication and relationships

The way we talk and the things we choose to say are important and can make a big difference in making others feel they belong. By welcoming all contributions, you can create an inclusive environment that embraces different approaches. This can enrich your activities and benefit your whole unit.

Remind others that there isn’t only one 'right' way to lead or organise — variety keeps things fresh and engaging.

At Girlguiding, we use the term ‘people of colour’. However, it's important to listen to how individuals and families describe themselves and use the language they prefer.

Communicating with all members

Choose activities, trips and examples that celebrate diverse cultures. If questions about difference arise, answer them positively. If someone in your unit comments on traditions, hair type or skin colour, turn it into a moment of learning and celebration. For example, if a member attends with braided hair and others ask questions, you could respond positively by saying: 'Abi’s braids are a special hairstyle — it takes time and care. Isn’t it brilliant how we all have different hair types and styles?'

For girls or families who may speak English as a second language, the accessible guiding grant is available to all our young members and volunteers. This may be suitable for support with having a translator attend meetings if useful.

Inclusion unit meeting activities

We have inclusion unit meeting activities that can help you talk about empathy, diversity, discrimination and allyship. You can use these throughout the year.

• Rainbows: Fuzzy feelings - Rainbows can learn about empathy by listening to a story. They’ll see if they can tell if someone feels left out and learn how to include everyone in their fun and games.
• Brownies: Brownie town - Brownies will become town planners in this activity that is all about diversity. They’ll design their ultimate Brownie town in sixes, and then imagine that new Brownies are arriving. What could they add to their town to make sure that any Brownies in the world would feel welcome?
• Guides: My support chain - this unit meeting activity teaches girls how to challenge discrimination in places that are safe to them, like their unit and school. It starts with seeing how they’re similar and then finding out what makes them different from each other, and how sometimes people are excluded or treated differently because of who they are. Then, the unit will create a support chain, thinking about how they can take small actions every day to make their world a better place.
• Rangers: Allies unite! - Rangers will create an allyship manifesto in this unit meeting activity. Working together to create an inclusive future, they’ll learn that help isn't always helpful, especially when others don’t listen or ask how they can help. It’s all about how important it is to listen to how and when people want support in the face of discrimination so they can be a good ally. By the end of the activity, they’ll have learnt that allyship is a journey and a commitment to small, everyday acts of inclusion as well as supporting larger campaigns for equality to create a better world.
  

Communicating with families

Be clear, flexible and approachable with all families. Remember that some may prefer different forms of communication, so combine short reminders (such as WhatsApp messages) with detailed emails or paper letters. Speaking directly can also be useful for some. If language is a barrier, get in touch with Girlguiding for support.

Where possible, you could pair families with a buddy who can help. Try not to make any assumptions, instead, show you are open and welcome to feedback: 'Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your child feel more comfortable.'

Try to be aware of world issues that may be impacting members in your unit. You don’t need to know every detail but having a sense that some members may be more greatly impacted can show empathy. If you think this may be the case for your members, the following guidance can help you give support for young members during times of conflict.

Challenging stereotypes

If insensitive comments or jokes occur, address them immediately but calmly. For example: 'We don’t use words like that here. Everyone’s culture and background is respected and celebrated.' We know these conversations might sometimes feel challenging and uncomfortable. But by starting these conversations and modelling positive behaviour, leaders set the tone for the whole unit.

Unit meeting activities about inclusion

These unit meeting activities can support general conversations about inclusion - we’d recommend you use them in the context of more specific discussions about race and discrimination.

• Rainbows: Uncrumpled friends (PDF, 2.4 MB) - this unit meeting activity is from the topic better together, an activity which explores the longer term impact of the things we say to other people. This activity links to the Rainbow promise and asks girls to reflect on how they can be kind to everyone. You can find this activity in unit meeting activity pack 8.
• Brownies: Fairest of them all (PDF, 1.14 MB) - this unit meeting activity is from the topic better together, an activity where girls explore discrimination and practise challenging people to be inclusive. You can find this activity in unit meeting activity pack 8.
• Guides: Pick a card (PDF, 1.45 MB) - this is a stage 4 reflect skills builder activity where Guides practise taking on a new perspective to help them understand things from someone else’s point of view.
• Rangers: Equality v equity (PDF, 1.1 MB) - this unit meeting activity is from the topic better together, an activity where Rangers explore the differences between equality and equity and reflect on what they could do in their local community. You can find this activity in unit meeting activity pack 8.

If you're concerned about the language or actions of a young member or another volunteer in your unit, please contact the volunteer support team via email on [email protected].

If comments or conversations by parents or carers raise concerns, remember to follow the safeguarding procedure. If you’re concerned that talking to the parent or carer would place a member at risk of harm, contact the safeguarding team.

If you feel someone is a danger to others or themselves and need advice or support, contact the safeguarding team at 020 7834 6242 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm), or email [email protected].

Reflective questions for adult leaders

• Do I actively listen to what families tell me about their child, or do I make assumptions?
• Am I confident to step in if stereotypes or negative comments arise?

Inclusion in everyday Girlguiding

Inclusion works best when it's part of everyday Girlguiding life, not just a one-off. Thoughtful planning helps members of colour feel valued and seen every week.

Everyday ideas

• Rotate leadership roles so that all girls - including girls of colour - have chances to be visible and take responsibility.
• Use stories, games, and resources that highlight women of colour as role models in science, arts, politics, and sport.
• Play games and music from different cultures or read books with diverse characters.
• Encourage girls to complete interest badges that celebrate diversity and culture.

Celebrating culture

Include festivals and traditional celebrations in partnership with families or local community groups to avoid tokenism. If you know that a girl or her family are celebrating, you could ask if they would like to share their experiences of Eid, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Black History Month or any other celebration that's important to them, and plan together in a respectful way.

Read some of our blogs here for some inspiration on celebrating different cultures:

• How to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month.
• Ways to celebrate Black History Month with your unit.

Respectful curiosity

If cultural differences come up in activities or conversations, show genuine interest without stereotyping. Acknowledge that not every family has the same practices and avoid putting pressure on anyone to 'represent' their whole community. Lead with respect - if you’re unsure, ask politely: 'What would you prefer us to say?'

Feedback and learning

Create space for families and girls to give feedback on what helps them feel included. This could be through informal chats, anonymous suggestions or reflections at the end of term. Take on any feedback as a learning opportunity and try to accept rather than challenge people’s preferences. Try not to use phrases like 'we don’t see race'. Instead, acknowledge and value the different cultures, traditions, and experiences that girls bring and do your own learning. There are some resources and support organisations at the end of this page.

Reflective questions

• Do my activities reflect the diversity of our community and the wider world?
• Has every child had an opportunity to shine and be celebrated?

Resources and support organisations

Support organisations

Contact these organisations for the most up-to-date information:

• SARI - SARI provides free and confidential support to anyone who's targeted by hate for their race, faith, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, age, gender, or sex.
• Spark - directory of support services for people of colour, including mental health services.
• The Black Curriculum – training and educational learning resources.
• CRER - Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights is a Scottish strategic racial equality charity, offering resources and publications to promote racial justice across Scotland.

If you want to explore other ways you can create an inclusive environment, check out our webpage on what you can do to help us become more inclusive.

Videos and podcasts for learning about race equity

• The Urgency of Intersectionality, Kimberle Crenshaw.
• Let’s Get To The Root of Racial Injustice, Megan Ming Francis.
• Shame and Accountability - Brené Brown.

Inclusion-themed activities for your units

• Rainbows – pizza party (PDF, 1.32 MB).
• Brownies – fairest of them all (PDF, 1.19 MB).
• Guides – animal advantages (PDF, 1.19 MB).
• Rangers – intersectional identities (PDF, 1.16 MB).

For more activities for your unit, we recommend looking for unit meeting activities that sit in the better together topic. You can find 2 activities from this topic in unit meeting activity packs 6, 7 and 8.

The reflect skills builder will help girls explore their communities, cultures and reflect on their beliefs and values. And in the feel good skills builder, they’ll develop healthy physical and mental wellbeing by exploring nutrition, being active, using stress management and relaxation techniques.

Girls can get creative with these interest badges at home and explore what it means to welcome everyone.

• Brownies - speaking out.
• Guides - human rights.
• Rangers - morals and values.

Special thank you to Equitura for your work on this guidance.

We’re continuously working to improve our resources and guidance on race and anti-racism. If you’d like to share any feedback or ideas with us, please get in touch at [email protected].

Need more support?

For further support or information, please contact your commissioner or county adviser or email [email protected].

We also have grants and funding available to help make guiding accessible for all members. Check out our grants and funding page.