Girlguiding Inspire: our adventure begins
Lead volunteer Nicola shares some of the amazing things members have been doing with Girlguiding Inspire and what’s coming up in 2021
Since our community for 18 to 30 year olds was set up in 2018, Girlguiding members have taken part in a whole host of opportunities.
We wanted to share with you some of the exciting things we've been up to, from beach cleans to hosting virtual events to launching our new name: Girlguiding Inspire.
Across the UK and beyond
Throughout the UK and in British Guiding Overseas, we’ve set up country and region coordinators (as well as county coordinators for some areas). They have been key in promoting and setting up a range of opportunities.
We’ve hosted residential trips such as Your Adventure - with North West England going to Waddow Hall - and Challenge and Chill taking place in North East England. Further afield, in 2019 we had our first Book and Go international trip to run a beach clean up in Morrocco. Over the duration of the trip members collected an impressive 303 bags, a box, sponges and car tyres!
What we’ve been doing
Over the last two years we've had various meet ups for our members aged 18 to 30, both in person and online. Regions and countries have hosted murder mysteries or, more recently, started film and book clubs. All of these are advertised through local social media pages for counties and countries and regions for you to get involved.
In 2020 our members have gotten involved online, whether with Adventures At Home, leading online events, hosting virtual Children In Need events or getting stuck in with Act Your Age.
For art lovers there have been upcycling and craft sessions, or for those wanting to get active we’ve taken part in yoga and dance sessions. Midlands were joined by special guest speaker former Ice Maiden Major Natalie Taylor.
While across the country, members have joined in with WAGGGS events, taken on fun challenges with Taskmaster evenings or joined in our first national quiz event. There’s also been a range of food tried – from cheese and wine evenings to pizza parties, with Ulster even trying virtual cocktail making!
There has also been the chance to join the National Scout and Guide Orchestra. Or to take up volunteer roles specifically designed for Girlguiding Inspire, such as a Deputy GOLD coordinator aged 18 to 30 to develop skills.
Championing each other
One of the most important things we do within Girlguiding Inspire is champion our members. We’re passionate about supporting individuals to complete one of our many awards or take up an opportunity.
North East England has helped to progress the diversity and inclusion discussions at a national level, including Hannah (our North East Country and Region Inspire coordinator) speaking about what it means to be an ally and how we can all be actively anti-racist.
What you can do in 2021
Support digitally delivered guiding
Throughout early 2021, we want to make sure we are doing all we can to support the delivery of digital guiding, where units cannot meet face to face.
We are looking for some tech-talented, computer-confident, virtual virtuosos to help us support girls and other leaders with delivery of unit meetings online. We’re hoping to recruit a group of Girlguiding Inspire volunteers to help us expand our support across the guiding network.
We’ll kick off the Bring a Leader initiative by holding an online briefing session in early January with Girlguiding Inspire members. We’ll then deploy briefed members to support local guiding in digital spaces and a few centrally run online events.
If you’re able to support this initiative, please register your interest by emailing [email protected] with your name, region, and guiding role and membership number by 4 January 2021.
More ways to get involved
Whether it's tackling the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, becoming a treasurer or a leader, exploring international opportunities, helping out at Magic and Mayhem, or becoming an Advocate, we are here to support and champion you!
Girlguiding Inspire empowers us to help each other develop into independent women through opportunities that challenge and surprise us. With no set programme you can choose your own path, supported along the way by other incredible young women.
You could join in at one of our social events, try out a new volunteering role or offer to help your area run social media. There have been blog spaces that have been created in the North West, Laser and Midlands providing a space for women to share their experiences whilst showcasing opportunities guiding has to offer.
Keep an eye on the Girlguiding Inspire page to find out the latest opportunities. You can also find the details for your local Girlguiding Inspire co-ordinator on there who can tell you what’s happening in your area.