Thanking your volunteers

Volunteers make guiding happen. Here are some ways to show appreciation for everything they do.

Saying thank you to volunteers is so important. It recognises the contribution they make to our charity, to the girls and young women we support and to each other.

Recognise every contribution

Take time to say thank you in a way that's appropriate to the volunteer and what they've done to make guiding happen.

• Show appreciation to everyone including young leaders, unit helpers and supportive parents.
• Recognise all lengths of service - from helping out at an event to many years of volunteering.
• Arrange a general thank you for big groups and add a personal touch for an individual.
• Match your thank you to the person who's receiving it. Think about their age, their interests, what's accessible to them, their allergies or medical conditions. Think about how the person would like to be thanked - some volunteers might enjoy an awards ceremony in front of their unit, while others might prefer a simple thank you out of the spotlight.
• Consider when and how often to say thank you, for example after an event or regularly in the guiding year.

Letting volunteers know they're appreciated will make them feel valued and respected. By giving them a positive experience of Girlguiding, you'll keep them coming back to help out.

Ways to say thank you

These ways to show your appreciation have all been tried and tested by our members.

Just say it - a simple, personal thank you can go a long way. Say thank you regularly, as often as you can and at every meeting if possible.

Get your girls involved - girls are the reason we volunteer our time. You could ask young members to help say thank you to their leaders.

Use a special occasion - celebrate volunteers during National Volunteers' Week, on World Thinking Day or another special time. You could organise a special event for them to share their stories and invite families too.

Celebrate small achievements - acknowledge the time volunteers spend on everyday guiding activities. A personal card, quick text message or small gift are often greatly appreciated! You could even gift the thank you badge or thank you card.

Don't give vouchers to say thank you. Vouchers can count as 'being paid' for volunteers who receive benefits. Give a gift instead!

Recognise big achievements - when a volunteer has done something exceptional, show your gratitude with a special Girlguiding award. Spread the word and tell your local press about their successes too.

You could also nominate them to receive an award at Girlguiding Celebrates – a glamorous red carpet-themed event where we celebrate all our volunteers do for guiding. Keep an eye on Girlguiding news for when nominations open.