“Over the years, I’ve had so much fun planning fun and new activities with the girls. And, as a volunteer it fits in with the amount of time I can give. “
I have such fond memories of being a Brownie – playing games with friends, collecting badges and my summers weren’t complete without my week at camp spending time with all my friends. I still remember Snowy Owl taking the time to teach me an easy way to thread a needle, which I still use to this day.
So, when I looked into volunteering options in Worthing, I knew I wanted to be able to give the opportunity I had to others and joined Girlguiding.
Beginning my volunteer journey
I was nervous about joining Girlguiding, as I didn’t work in a school but soon realised that this didn’t matter. I was supported throughout my onboarding process from experienced leaders and training all provided by Girlguiding. A lot of the activities I organised each week with the girls, meant that I could get my leadership qualification quickly and was soon running my own unit.
Over the years, I’ve had so much fun planning fun and new activities with the girls. Planning around the programme meant that every girl had all lot of opportunities to try new activities and learn new skills. From seasonal crafts, science experiments, stargazing and campaing to name just a few.
There are always so many different things to organise within the Worthing area. We took them to Pets at Home to learn about animal care. Visited Tesco’s through their ‘Farm to Fork’ programme to understand all the different countries the food comes from and how it gets to the store. Celebrated World Thinking Day by trying different foods from around the world and thinking of others in Girlguiding from other countries.
Away from the weekly meetings, I took up an incredible opportunity that any member of Girlguiding can be a part of and become a member of the Worthing Gangshow cast.
This amazing show, with all participants from either Girlguiding or Scouting from the Worthing area, meant I got to learn different dances, songs, and a short sketch.
The show gave me a chance to make new friends with others from Girlguiding and make such wonderful memories. It gave me something back that I use to love doing when I was younger in a fun and exciting environment.
Further opportunities
Over the years I felt that I could give more of my time, whilst being a unit leader so I decided to take another opportunity and become a District Commissioner.
A District Commissioner looks after a group of sections within a certain location. I was able to work with the other volunteers from those units and organise activities for our Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.
Making it suit the time I can give
Being a volunteer with Girlguiding fits around you and the time you can give.
You decide how involved you become with the charity. There’s so many different ways you can be involved which suit the time you have to give. Whether that’s a few hours a week to help at a unit or as a supportive admin role or, if you’re looking to give more time than it can be split between a number of different roles or a role that has lots of responsibilities.
The flexibility to be able to choose the right role or responsibility that suit your time and the opportunities are endless.
And, I’m very much look forward to continuing my story in the future with Girlguiding.
Find out more about volunteering with Girlguiding in the Worthing area
Worthing Cissbury Division Girlguiding 