Our stories

Hear from girls, volunteers and supporters about their adventures with Girlguiding

Read some of our favourite stories about guiding

Have you taken on an incredible challenge, supported us with a special fundraising event or had an inspiring experience during about everyday guiding? Whatever you've done, share your story with us.

Guiding’s given me skills for life

3 December: Poppy shares how guiding has given her skills for life and why she's now passing them to the next generation

I saved my local unit from closing when I was 18

Leader Ellie, 18, tells us what it's like running a unit at a young age

Brave Brownie Poppy is a Guiding Star

Poppy, 8, from 13th Hastings Brownie received our Guiding Star award for showing courage and initiative in an emergency

'I want to carry on with Silver Duke of Edinburgh when I’m a Ranger!'

Guide Sakari and her assistant leader Rozzy share their experiences of DofE and why you should give it a go too

Choosing their own path

As we develop our new offer for young women, members aged 18 to 30 share their favourite guiding adventures

I'm saving my village hall with the help of guiding

Alice, 15, is on a mission to save her local village hall. She shares how Girlguiding is helping her.

I took on the 2018 London Marathon for Girlguiding

Beth fills us in on the highs, lows and heat of the 2018 London Marathon

Action for Change has given me a voice

Catherine shares how Girlguiding helped her launch a campaign to get more women into engineering

Guides can make their Promise anywhere

Find out what PGL activities the 2nd Bingham Guides tried out. Leader Dee Smith tells all.

We went around the world with guiding

100 Girlguiding members. Five countries. One big adventure. Follow Girlguiding Staffordshire's trip around the world.

Guiding has been my life saver

Leader Lauren shares how guiding has added smiles and adventure to her life living with Ehlers Danlos syndrome

These Guides and Brownies love our activity holidays

Find out why Girlguiding Keyingham has so much fun on their PGL trips, as Leader Dianne shares all

Our County is getting recruitment ready

From unit health checks to a County conference: Lancashire South East, are running with our Recruitment Bootcamp

How it feels leading my local Brownie unit

Carol finds it can sometimes be difficult for others to understand why she gives so much of herself to Girlguiding

I loved running the 2017 London Marathon for Girlguiding

Mum of two, Katherine, took on the 2017 London Marathon in order to bring adventure to even more Girlguiding girls

I saved our Brownie unit when I was just fifteen

Meet inspiring Guiding Star Laila who, after her mum’s sad death, stepped in to keep her local Brownie unit open

Our survival camp diary

Sleeping outside, gutting fish and finding their way through the forest - could you survive the 1st Bodicote Guide camp?

Brownies is different from school

Ellena talks about what Brownies means to her, and what makes it so special

I want to see every member out on or in the water at least once

Sue realised she had time and experience going spare, and that Girlguiding could be the perfect solution

Working with the Outdoor team is my dream job

When Ellen Wilson saw a role that was looking at outdoor activities development, she jumped at the chance.

I get girls and Leaders out onto the snow

Lauren Stead realised the Snow Sport Specialist role was perfect for bringing together her two favourite hobbies

Our shopping-centre campsite attracted new members

60 girls descended on Crossgates shopping centre to cajole shoppers into their make-shift campsite - and into guiding!

You can find adventure everywhere in guiding

For leader Michelle, adventure is about looking for opportunities for girls to experience new things in everyday places

We got enough volunteers for three new Rainbow units

How Helen used her Division’s data to create new units and welcome lots more girls into Rainbows

I'm learning skills to take action on important issues

Ellie, Action for Change participant and Guide Leader, joined Action for Change to make change in her own way

I'm a Leader in Training and I'm still at school

Katie, Leader in Training, 1st Loughton Guides, balances her Leadership Qualification with her studies at school

My overseas adventure taught me about being a leader

Sophie, Assistant County International Adviser and Assistant Rainbow Unit Leader, learned about leadership in Aruba

Girls of all abilities can be leaders

Emily, Peer Educator, says that girls of all abilities can take on leadership roles in guiding

Guiding has shown me anyone can lead

Emma, Queen's Guide and Assistant Rainbow Leader, explains why believing in yourself is key to leadership

We tested the new Girlguiding programme

To get the new programme right we've been asking units all over the country to try it out, here's what they thought

Rainbow and Brownie Units United

4th Rochester Rainbows and Brownies share Leaders, a meeting space and even activities - we join them for a session

My mum supported me through cancer to get back to my Guides

Meet Natalie and Sheila, the mum and daughter duo who were determined to keep their Guide unit going whatever the odds

Grandmother, mum and daughters: we go to Brownies together

Girlguiding is a family affair for Grandmother Sheila, Mum Emma and girls Charlotte and Alice

Girls Can in the Caribbean

Where’s Aruba? Sophie tells us about how her trip to the Caribbean island with GOLD kick started adventures back home

GOLD: Taking peer education to Peru

The peer education movement is spreading! Dawn tells us how she inspired girls in Peru to lead on her GOLD trip

These Brownies got stuck into science at our How Does it Work? day

Brownies and their Leaders tell us about their day of colourful scientific experiments at Activity Centre ICANDO

I won a competition to go to Activity Centre Foxlease

When Ruth saw a competition on People's Postcode Lottery's Facebook page to go to Foxlease she never thought she'd win!

Children helping children: My Brownies made care bags for refugees

Leader Julie explains how her Brownies' good turn turned into children across Somerset taking action to help refugees

We brought comfort to patients at Salford Hospital

Members from across Greater Manchester West delivered 1,000 ‘Comfort Bags’ to patients in Salford Royal Hospital

Being my best means providing a lifeline to others at Christmas

Leader Caroline Storey talks about how she's passing on the goodwill of her guiding family by supporting those in need

I help Leaders offer more activity and adventure to girls

Bethan Gudgeon, Horizon Scanning and Sport Specialist, researches new sports and outdoor activities for guiding

I promote adventurous activities to members of all ages

Kerri, Water Specialist - Paddlesports, works to get more girls and Leaders in guiding onto the water

I encourage girls in guiding to get active

Harriet Reay, National Outdoor Team Coordinator, supports a team of volunteers who provide sport and adventure for girls

Meet Girlguiding's National Outdoor Team

Say hello to some of our specialist volunteers who are passionate about sport and adventure

We faced the challenge of the Survival Extreme weekend

Members of The Senior Section Lola, Hannah, Nicola and Emily tested their survival skills at Survival Extreme

Our hospital unit gives unwell girls chances to have fun

UYSAF funding meant volunteers opened a unit in a hospital so that being unwell doesn’t mean girls miss out on guiding

Wet and wild in Wales

Sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking – how water sports are increasing girls' confidence in Wales

A photo story of Alice Walker's life in guiding

Evocative photos of Alice's time in Guide International Services in World War Two that are part of her legacy gift to us

Our independent Senior Section unit

How Leader Julie's independent or 'Lone' guiding group stay involved without meeting in person

A day in the life of Karen, County Growing Guiding Coordinator

Karen talks about the rewards of being a Growing Guiding Coordinator - seeing girls develop, grow and have fun

I love being a Brownie Leader

Leader Fran tells us about the opportunities that Brownies has opened up for her - and her girls

I felt welcome when I came back to guiding

A Girlguiding volunteer tells us how she was welcomed back into guiding by other supportive members

We changed how we welcome volunteers

Development Worker Lynne tells about a great event that welcomed new volunteers into guiding in North West London

Our Guide unit tried archery and stand up paddleboarding

Leader Emma's Guide unit had a go at a new kind of archery, and stand up paddleboarding - they loved both!

I can't imagine my life without guiding

For Harriet, member of The Senior Section, a girl-only space and chances to help others have made a difference

Through guiding I've travelled, learned skills and made friends

Mary, member of The Senior Section, tells us about what she's gained from guiding

I enjoy every part of Brownies

Cheyenne shares her favourite things about Brownies. What's your favourite thing about guiding?

My daughter loves Rainbows

Jo, Rainbow Leader, has seen for herself the difference that guiding can make for girls, especially her daughter Nancy

I wish I could still be in Rainbows when I'm 100

Tulsi-Leela, 6, tells us about the things she's learned and the games she's played that all make Rainbows so special

Our school taster sessions worked a treat

Using school taster sessions, Alison, Development Worker in Lanarkshire, engaged more girls and doubled her numbers

Why planning is vital to recruitment success

Laura, Development Worker with Girlguiding Midlands, supports volunteers to run recruitment events that get results

Our Brownies loved Roller Skiing

Leader Elizabeth tells us how the 1st Auchterless Brownies love trying activities that are a bit different

I make an impact through fundraising and volunteering

Tia, 15, member of The Senior Section, enjoys fundraising and volunteering as a Young Leader at a Brownie unit

Our snow sports adventure with guiding

Rachel took Girlguiding Hambleton Division on an amazing adventure, trying sports such as tobogganing and snow tubing

I love doing badges and activities at Guides

Heather, 10, really enjoys activities and trips with her Guide Unit, and earning badges with her friends

I learn loads of stuff at Guides

Amy, 13, has learned skills at 7th Culcheth Guides that she can't wait to use as she gets older

I've made good friends at Guides

For Amy, 13, 7th Culcheth Guides is a safe space where she can spend time with her friends

A day in the life of Jen, Communications and PR Adviser

Jen encourages people to get involved in guiding as a Communications and PR Adviser in Gloucestershire

A day in the life of Val, Volunteer Shop Manager

Val has found a different way of volunteering for Girlguiding - as a Volunteer Shop Manager

How we're reaching out to girls in places new to guiding

Development Worker Becky tells us how she's bringing guiding to all girls, whatever their background

#iwill make a difference in my community

#iwill is all about getting young people like Debbie, 19, to help others and learn skills themselves

We ran events to promote guiding

Growing Guiding Coordinator Helen tells us about running events with National Citizen Service volunteers in Kent

The Queen's Trust helped us open a Rainbows unit

Support from The Queen's Trust means that 1st Woodside Rainbows unit has opened- local Leaders tell us more

We have flexible meeting times for The Senior Section

So members of The Senior Section can stay in guiding, Chris, Leader and Development Worker, is flexible and creative

We were wowed by Wellies and Wristbands

Guides Francesca, Rosie, Amy and Victoria tell us how you can relax and be yourself at Wellies and Wristbands

I'm inspired by the girls in Girlguiding

Student Cassie discovered some rewarding ways to volunteer - she's a spokeswoman, Brownie Leader and Peer Educator

We gave Guides a taste of The Senior Section

Leader Ellen explains how her taster sessions makes moving up to The Senior Section less daunting

We combined our Rainbow and Brownie units

Leader Maureen tells us how the new 13th Hackney Rainbows and Brownies unit is making a difference in their community

I raised money to help people with Ebola

Brownie Kiera, 9, raised a significant amount for Medicines San Frontieres to help tackle Ebola

We include young people with parents in prison

Commissioner Maxine tells us how reaching out to kids with parents in prison has really paid off

Volunteering at Wellies and Wristbands was so much fun

Frances, Trefoil Guild, helped out at Wellies and Wristbands. The girls had great fun, and she did too!

I won't let anything stop me becoming a Leader

Her learning disability meant Lonie wasn't sure she could become a Leader but she's well on her way!

I volunteered through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Sulekha, 14, was doing her Duke of Edinburgh's Award when she started to help out and make a difference at Brownies

Sitting on the Council has given me so many opportunities

Sitting on the Council has given Alex loads of other opportunities

I have my say about big decisions on the Council

Lara, 17, sits on the Girlguiding Council and has her say on big decisions

Guiding empowered me to become a civil engineer

Guiding gave Rainbow Leader Pippa the confidence to get her dream job

We loved everything about Magic and Mayhem

Leader Rebecca's Brownies loved Magic and Mayhem, our festival for 5- to 10-year-olds!

A Legacy gave our girls more opportunities

A gift in a Will, or legacy, made a lasting impact in Sharon's District - Newquay St. Columb

I found my voice through Girlguiding

Once shy and bullied at school, Pippa now speaks out about global issues, thanks to her involvement in Girlguiding

Why I love to volunteer for Girlguiding

She might be new to volunteering, but Leader-in-Training Rosemary has helped open a growing Brownie unit!

I'm a Peer Education Coordinator - and a student too

Pippa tells us how she manages to study for her PhD at the same time as being a 4 (peer education) Coordinator

I made volunteering part of my student life

Lizzie, member of The Senior Section, tells us about how easy she found it to volunteer while studying

We split our unit in two and welcomed more girls

Dividing her unit into two groups meant Rainbow Leader Emma could grow her membership and welcome 15 more girls

I can't believe I'm a Queen's Guide!

Hannah, 22, from Stockport tells us about the amazing things she did to complete her Queen's Guide Award

Our photo exhibition to promote body confidence

Leader Laurie's Guides were empowered to take action after completing their Free Being Me badge

A Legacy of £500 made a difference to girls in our Division

Pam, from Girlguiding Rutland Division, tells us how a legacy of £500 is making an impact on the lives of girls

Dirt, dancing and democracy - our trip to Greece

Girlguiding Cymru offered seven members of The Senior Section a unique trip to Greece

Things I can't tell you about Go for GOLD

Dawn Pavey tells us everything about the top-secret Go for GOLD selection weekend for our international trip

Our Brownies had a sleepover in the library

You don't have to go far to have a magical sleepover - the local library will do, as Brownie Leader Elaine discovered!

Our Brownie unit grew by 14 girls

Alison, Development Worker, ran a special Bring a Friend session in a school to grow a local unit

Why I love being a Peer Educator

As a Peer Educator Laura helps girls discuss challenging issues and develops new skills herself

We invited a Peer Educator to our units

Peer Educator Laura came to talk to Natalie's Brownie unit and Katie's Guide unit about body confidence

My disability was no barrier to my Queen's Guide Award

For Leader-in-Training Sarah, disability was no barrier to getting a Queen's Guide Award

How parents opened our new unit

Parents like Sara opened the first Girlguiding unit in Lowick for 20 years

How I made friends at Brownies

Simir was nervous before starting Brownies, but soon learnt it was a great place to have fun and make friends

I ran the London marathon for Girlguiding

For Sam, Brownie Leader, running the marathon was a chance to support Girlguiding and achieve a life-long goal!

Our GOLD trip to Zambia

GOLD projects make a difference to members all over the world - like Liz Haigh, GOLD Zambia participant

I can't wait to move up to Guides

Isis, 10, is excited to move up from Brownies to Guides - and she has some top tips for other girls

I give girls confidence

Volunteering gave Leader-in-Training Humera the confidence to encourage girls to be happy with the way they are

I enjoy using my science background at Brownies

Finding time to help may seem like a challenge, but Assistant Brownie Leader Catherine tells us it's worth it

As a parent volunteer, I helped to open a new unit

Parent Anna gave her time, skills and experience to benefit her daughter Bethan's new Guide unit

I've done lots in guiding - with my wheelchair in tow!

Caroline Daboo takes her wheelchair on all sorts of guiding adventures as a member of The Senior Section

Guiding gave me career confidence

How guiding helped inspire Brownie Leader Amy to have the career she dreamed of in engineering

Including all for a Hawaiian hullabaloo

Guiding is for all girls. Lindy tells us how Guides included her daughter Tabitha to go camping for the first time

I was never singled out as different in Guides

Former Guide Nicola tells us how Girlguiding works hard to ensure all girls are involved, whatever their ability

Narrowboating inspired my girls' 'canal-do' attitude

Marie, Guide Leader in Yorkshire, loved the way her unit bonded on their canal boat trip

Parent help meant we could open a second unit

Bringing a parent volunteer on board helped Suzanne, a Guide Leader in Cambridge, create a thriving second unit