5 easy tips to help you plan a girl-led programme

'Even after almost 20 years as a leader, I still sometimes feel overwhelmed by the idea of making our Guide programme truly girl-led. I'm a full-time worker, lead volunteer for girl experience at Girlguiding, and a Guide leader.

With all these roles, it's sometimes quicker and more tempting to just plan the programme myself. But here’s the thing: I've learned that making it girl-led doesn't have to be complicated, time-consuming or overwhelming. It can be the little things that make all the difference.'

Why does girl-led planning matter? 

'Girl-led guiding isn't just about giving girls a say in what we do. It’s about empowering them to take ownership of their guiding journey, no matter their age. When girls are involved in decisions, their confidence soars, their leadership skills grow, and their experience becomes even more meaningful. They learn that their voice matters.  

The best part? It doesn't always need fancy events or big plans.'

1. Test the surprising power of simple ideas 

'Take last term, for example. I thought the girls would ask for expensive trips or elaborate activities. Instead, they wanted to go litter picking and visit the park. These turned out to be some of our best evenings! 

There's something magical about watching Guides at the park. At an age where they might feel too grown-up to play, they completely let loose. The biggest challenge? Getting them back to the hall at the end!'

2. Use girls’ dream ideas as inspiration 

'Have you ever asked girls what they want to do and heard "bungee jumping" or something else just as ambitious or wild? While we can’t always pull off their biggest dreams, we can still use those ideas for inspiration. 

I always try to understand what's behind their suggestions. Is it about adventure? Pushing their limits? Trying something new? Then we break it down into something we can do at our unit meeting. Maybe it becomes life-size hungry hippos for excitement, or perhaps we try climbing to capture the thrill of heights!'

Girl-led doesn't mean saying yes to everything. It’s about listening to girls, collaborating with them and working together to make things happen.' - Katrina, Guide leader and lead volunteer for girl experience. 

3.  Make it manageable 

'When you're juggling multiple roles, it’s easy to feel like there’s not enough time to give girls a voice. Here are some tips that works for me: 

• Give girls post-it notes and take 10 minutes to jot down ideas for future meetings. 
• If you have some spare time at the end of the meeting, ask them to pick the final game for that unit meeting.  
• Ask for quick feedback at the end of each meeting. 
• Keep a suggestion box for ongoing activity ideas. 
• Pass on some of the planning duties. If you have young leaders or Rainbow and Brownie helpers, let them run ideas or feedback sessions! 

Remember, this doesn’t just need to be about what you do in your unit. It could also be about how you reach out to more girls, how you organise your cupboards, or what meals they want at a sleepover. It’s all about giving girls the chance to shape their experience, big or small.'

4. Ask for support when you need it 

'Let's be honest - balancing full-time work, guiding, and personal life isn't always easy. That’s why I've learned to lean on the support around me. Our unit group chat is brilliant for quick feedback from other leaders between meetings. And our young leaders are fantastic at gathering ideas from girls and making them happen. Which is a great part of completing their young leader development programme too.'

Good leadership isn't about perfect programme. It's about giving girls a chance to be heard and giving them the space to shape their own guiding experience.' - Katrina, Guide leader and lead volunteer for girl experience.

'Remember, you don't feel you have to do everything yourself. If another leader is sorting the badges this term, that gives you more time to focus on making activities girl-led. Even small tasks (like asking a unit helper to run the suggestion box) can make a difference.'

5. Remember it doesn't have to be perfect and every small step counts 

'Girl-led doesn't mean saying yes to everything. It’s about listening to girls, collaborating with them and working together to make things happen. Sometimes we need to explain why certain activities or changes won't work (sorry, still no bungee jumping!). But we can find other ways to capture that same spirit of adventure. And those simple post-it note ideas? They add up to something powerful: girls who know their voices matter.' 

Ready to put these tips into action? 

'Why not try one small change in your unit this week? Start with a quick feedback session or let the girls choose between 2 activities. You don't need to transform everything at once. 

Every time we listen to a girl's idea or give them the chance to make a choice, we're making guiding more girl-led.' 

Browse our entire range of empowering casualwear on the online shop or buy the fearless leader t-shirt.