Following feedback from our members and through analysing current membership data, our region team have developed a recruitment campaign that will focus on volunteer recruitment to ensure the sustainability of our region. This project has been underway over the last 9 months and we will be ready to start delivering the campaign from the beginning of May.
With the additional bank holiday for the King’s coronation and the link to the national ‘Big Help Out’, we have taken the opportunity to launch our campaign on Monday 8 May. We will be doing this in spectacular style with the first of many region recruitment events this year.
We are offering the exciting opportunity for 45 members of the region to abseil 13 meters down The Forum in Norwich. Spaces for the abseil will be on first-come-first-served basis. There will be an expectation that all members will be in Girlguiding uniform on the day.
Please fill the application form out and send it to lynnk@girlguiding-anglia.org.uk. Once we have received and approved your application, you will receive a fundraising pack. A minimum of £30 per member must be raised to secure the space for an abseil. If you would like to take part in the abseil, applications for these spaces can be found here.
We are also providing the opportunity for members in the region to have a stand at the event. This is also on a first-come-first-served basis. To apply for a stand click here.
As part of the event, we want to hold a campfire singing circle every hour to encourage children and adults to come and take part in one of Girlguiding’s most loved traditions. We are in need of some members to each lead 20-30 minute campfire singing sessions. If you would be interested in signing up for this, please fill out the application form here.
Finally, we will be in much need of additional help on the day, so if you would like to help out with this special event please fill in the application, which can be found here.
We are super excited to receive your applications and have members attend this unique opportunity!
Well we are here, five years have whizzed by and I am saying a goodbye! What an amazing five years. Adventures galore, challenges a few and opportunities many. I will be finishing as chief commissioner on the 1 February and Andrea will remain for a few more weeks to assist with the transition until our new Chief Commissioner, Karen, has appointed her team.
Andrea and I have loved our time, notwithstanding the pandemic of course, however that did enable us to reach out to our members in a different way. We certainly kept guiding going, with the mobilisation of virtual events. Who took part in our Midsummer sleepover, wasn’t this great fun? We also had many virtual training and workshops which continue in the virtual space and are proving very successful. Other virtual events have taken place and although does not replace the face-to-face fun, it certainly is a great way to continue to enjoy all we have to offer.
During the lock down period, it also reminded us how adaptable we are as leaders. Embracing new opportunities with Zoom or Teams and delivering great guiding to our girls. The virtual space will now always be an offer, as its created many positive opportunities.
However, meeting you all face to face has been a real privilege, we have attended unit meetings, Thinking Day events, Award presentation, AGMs, Trefoil gatherings, county activity days, region events, commissioner days, sections events, trainers conferences to name a few, and taken part in so many activities with girls from all our sections. It been amazing! Thank you.
We have of course travelled far and wide and met so many members of all ages at many different events. County days at farms, camps and other activities venues. Taken part in fun activities. Visited many camps of all sizes! Renewed our promise at Thinking Day and Promise events, presented lots of awards from Hero certificates, to county recognition, Long Service, Region Awards and Laurel Brooches .
Our 50th Birthday celebrations did somewhat change from our initial plans but wow what a Buzz we created with our Buzz about Anglia challenge. with a sleep over too and finishing with an Amazing Birthday party. Such great memories.
We want to thank so many people and we don’t want to list them, in case we miss out a name or two. But a HUGE BIG THANK YOU to all our lead volunteers who have been part of the team, our county commissioners, and our staff team within the region, without all of these people, none of what we have achieved, experienced, and enjoyed would have happened. We also want to thank you to all of you for your support and friendship. So to all of members from myself and Andrea, Thank you
As always, take and and keep smiling
Tracy
Hi everyone,
To start my penultimate blog, I want to share this quote with you:
2023 will be one of change, with our new Chief Commissioner, Karen Johnson taking over from the 1 February. Andrea and I will work with Karen to ensure a smooth transition. Next month we will share of reflection on our five amazing years.
I hope that many of you are completing the Chief’s Challenge and join in with our World Thinking Day card swap. I’m really looking forward to seeing these and assisting our region office delivery team with swap . Get creative as a unit or patrol or Trefoil Guild group etc. Here’s what you need to do:
Exchanging postcards of friendship is a long-standing tradition for Girlguiding across the world. We want to encourage our members across Anglia to send a postcard to another unit to either just say hello, share a story or to reach out for a unit pen pal. Next steps: ·You can either download the postcard template from Anglia’s website or create or buy your own. (Maximum A5 in size) ·On the postcard please just include your message. ·Pop the postcard and an A5 stamped, self-addressed envelope in an envelope addressed to Girlguiding Anglia, 7 Great Hautbois Road, Coltishall, Norfolk, NR12 7JN. ·Please send this in by 31 January 2023. Shine Bright Postcard Swap Resource | Girlguiding Anglia (girlguiding-anglia.org.uk)
My next adventure!
I’m sure you will have seen my next adventure! I’m very proud and honoured to have been selected as Chief Guide and look forward to the next five years. I want to continue to empower our adult volunteers and engage with our young members, ensuring their voice is at the heart of all we do. I will be stepping down as chief commissioner just a couple of weeks early, as I commence my new role on the 22 February. Thank you to you all, for the congratulatory messages and for your support.
As always take care and keep smiling!
Tracy
Hi everyone, my name is Georgina, and I was lucky enough to attend the most recent Peer Education training. The application process was really easy, and my county peer education co-ordinator was really supportive. Once we arrived at the campsite, I got to know everyone quickly with lots of card games and ice-breaker activities. We all helped to cook dinner together and sat around the table sharing our guiding experiences. Before long we went off to bed ready for training the next day.
In the morning, we all had breakfast together before going to another hall for the training. We started with an introduction by the three amazing peer educator trainers before moving on to communication and facilitation skills. There were many opportunities to put these skills in practice as we led mini activities within the group. After lunch we focused on managing behaviour in sessions as well as looking at safeguarding and safety. This was made really engaging with lots of role play and practice in small groups. We then had a go at delivering a small activity for the group. This was exciting as it allowed us to practice leading sessions for different sections, as well an opportunity for the rest of us to act like Brownies, Guides or Rangers! After a quick reflection on the day’s events, we had some free time to chill out or explore the site before dinner. After making and eating our own pizza’s, we took our camp blankets and watched a movie together before hot chocolate and bed.
On Sunday, a few more peer educators joined the group for the topic training on Think Resilient. The morning sessions looked at the structure and content of the topic and the different activities that make up a Peer Education session. This was an opportunity to learn how to adapt sessions for each group, allowing them to be individualised for the unit’s needs. We also spoke about the practicalities of organising a session, including questions to ask the unit leader and how to record all the sessions we run. After lunch, we started planning our own sessions and understanding all the resources that we had been provided with. It was then time to pack up and head home.
I had an amazing weekend and have discovered a network of peer educators from across Anglia. The trainers were supportive and were able to deliver the training in a fun and interactive way. I would recommend training to become a peer educator as it is a great way to engage with lots of young people and volunteers whilst making a positive difference within your own county.
