Top tips to get started with virtual guiding

What a year 2020 was! Many units in Anglia started meeting virtually, which was fantastic and a few were even able to meet face to face outdoors or indoors. If your new year’s resolution is to give virtual guiding a go then here are our top tips to get you started:

• Why are rising to this new challenge? Is it to catch up with your young member? Is it to give them support and a distraction during a tough time? Or is it because you want to challenge yourself to something new this year? Whatever the reason there is a wealth of information and other members to support you. Read through Girlguiding’s advice for online guiding: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/adventures-at-home/online-guiding-and-virtual-unit-meetings/

 

• Every meeting, whether virtual or face to face, needs at least one leader with Safe Space Level 3, book your place here if you don’t have this training already: https://www.girlguiding-anglia.org.uk/level-3-safe-space-training-live-online-delivery

 

• Explore ready made activities in Girlguiding’s Adventures at Home hub: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/adventures-at-home/

 

• Subscribe to YouTube channels for activities to easily share. Ours is here: https://www.youtube.com/user/GirlguidingAnglia We recommend watching with a comforting mug of hot chocolate 😊

 

• Read our software guides to help you decide which virtual platform is right for you: https://www.girlguiding-anglia.org.uk/resource/online-meeting-guides

• Explore some options for adapting the Girlguiding programme to suit online guiding: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/making-guiding-happen/coronavirus-keeping-safe/starting-to-meet-in-person-again/adapting-programme-activities/?fbclid=IwAR1VN9L2dkkR3UhkRrLD2NhI2zQBMcmc9et0FS1_F-belZ1tmyPmxDwEYdw

How could your members choose their own activities? Could they simply vote with their hands up or down or would you like to use the software features to do a poll?

• Have you members got badge books to help them work on interest badges at home? Great for girls that can’t join your virtual meetings https://www.girlguiding-anglia.org.uk/?s=Badge+book&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&ixwps=1