We’re coming to the end of the first year of our project made possible by the Uniformed Youth Fund. In this blog I’m looking back to what we’ve achieved in that time. I’m also looking forward to what’s to come in year 2 as we welcome more 10-18 year olds and help them learn that girls can do anything.
In February, I shared the great news that we have met our target to increase the number of spaces we have available to girls in existing units. We’ve smashed that target by creating 811 new spaces. This month, I can share that we have met our target to welcome 65 new volunteers in project areas – in fact, we have welcomed 75! Our final target to achieve is to open 14 new Guide or Ranger units and we’re at 9 so far. Read this interview with newly opened 1st Thedwastre Guides, it’s still one of my highlights of last year.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve agreed financial support for 29 different units that have been part of the project. That’s a total of over £6,000 granted to support them this coming term. It’s been a busy month so I’m grateful for the extra day with the leap day!
Here’s what is coming in year 2 of the project:
March 2024 onwards – we’ll open 5 more Guide or Ranger units.
We’ll continue with our volunteer recruitment campaign by supporting county shows in the summer and freshers fairs in the autumn. I’ll support local divisions with their recruitment activities and we’ll provide training to help volunteers welcoming new recruits. Take a look at our 4 steps to recruitment success training for an example. (Bookings for the next training, close on 5 March.)
Summer term – we’ll launch a new unit support pack
Spring term 2025 – we’ll offer financial support for eligible units for subscription fees.
If you’ve enjoyed this blog and would like to read more about the project head to our first blog.
Next month’s blog. Last month’s blog
Return to the member support page
Have you seen the exciting news? Girlguiding Anglia have announced plans for a pyjama party in 2025!
Anglia’s chief commissioner team would love as many of our members as possible to take part in pyjama parties across the region to celebrate World Thinking Day 2025. There are so many party possibilities and it’s up to each unit or even district or division to decide how to host it.
Support
The event team will support you every step to ensure you feel informed with your planning and preparation. To start with, we’ve produced this set of frequently asked questions (FAQ’s). You’ll find lots of information included about the event and hopefully have a clearer idea of how everything will work. Plus if you complete our expression of interest, then you’ll receive a useful timeline of when to complete different elements of your planning and what’s coming from the events team. Timelines will be posted out to all units who have signed up over the Easter holidays.
There is a pyjama party Facebook page. We hope this helps leaders support each other, share any questions and also gives a platform for sharing pictures and stories over the World Thinking Day weekend.
The team
The event team includes our deputy chief commissioner, Claire Course, alongside our region outdoor and residential advisors, Pam Lacey and Sarah Crocombe. Hertfordshire assistant county commissioner, Sally Settle has joined the team too with Queen’s Guide candidate, Emily Curtis. Our region opportunity and adventure volunteer team leader, Carolyn Hare is also on the team, as well as members of the region retail team and delivery team.
Everyone is really excited to ensure we can make the event as accessible as possible to as many of our region members as possible. Please get in touch if there is anything you need from us that you can’t find in the FAQ’s or any other event information.
Webinars
We will be running several support webinars in the lead up to the event. These will help with REN forms, risk assessments and any other questions you may have whilst setting up your sleepover.
17 September 2024, webinar 2: support with completing your REN part 1 and risk assessments.
9 January 2025, webinar 3: support with completing your REN part 2.
5 February 2025, webinar 4: open forum for questions and support with things you might have forgotten.
If you’re unable to attend any of the webinars, don’t panic! They’ll be recorded and made available for you to watch. We’ll also be using the webinars to help continually update our FAQS on the website.
Prices
Unit activity pack, including all activity cards, stories and poster: £2 per pack.
Girl goodie bag, including badge: £2 per girl.
Volunteer goodie bag, including badge: £1 per volunteer.
What’s next?
Sign ups for the project will launch later in the year. There will be a cost per member and units will receive an activity pack for their parties, badges and a commemorative gift. We also hope to have additional merchandise for members to purchase.
To support members further we will also set up some webinars to support leaders to deliver the best possible event for the girls.
More information will be shared through the region newsletter and our social media platforms as the project progresses. Please spread the word with your networks so we can get as many of our amazing members involved as possible.
We are delighted to share that Sheila Betts of Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East was awarded a BEM in the January New Year’s Honours.
A Brownie and Guide herself in her youth, Sheila led 3rd Trumpington Brownie unit from 1992 until 2012. She then stepped back as a unit leader, remaining involved as unit treasurer. Whilst you might think that 20 years of being a Brown Owl was reason enough to be awarded a BEM, Sheila doesn’t limit her volunteering to Trumpington Brownies. Sheila held various roles within Girlguiding, including assistant county commissioner and district commissioner. This is as well as communications and PR adviser for Cambridgeshire East.
Circa 2005, Sheila was involved in the refurbishment of Hautbois Activity Centre. The project improved the accessibility, environmental footprint and energy-efficiency of the centre. Hot on the heels of this, Sheila was asked to chair a management committee meeting of the Jarman centre, Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East’s residential and activity centre at Newmarket. This is a role she still holds some 16 years later.
This is just a snapshot of what Sheila has done, and there is much more.
We are all very proud of her and delighted that all her efforts have been recognised. Very well deserved.