Oxfordshire blog

Over the last few months, I have been working closely with Oxford City 1 Division. Their mission was clear: to open a new unit while formally closing units that were no longer operating.

After many months of hard work and dedication from volunteers across the Division, that vision is finally becoming a reality. I am delighted to share that 1st Blackbird Leys Brownies will be opening this month! I cannot wait to see the unit grow and thrive within the community. A huge thank you goes to everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen, and especially to Sydney and Mandy for taking on the leadership of the unit.

Earlier this month, I also had the pleasure of supporting the Division at a volunteers’ fair at Oxford Brookes University. Alongside Fiona, Assistant Division Commissioner, I spent the day speaking with students about volunteering with Girlguiding.

It was an amazing experience. We met current members looking to reconnect with local units, students who had been Brownies or Guides growing up and wanted to share their memories, and many people who had never heard of Girlguiding before. We had some fantastic conversations and hopefully inspired a number of future volunteers. We may even have found some potential inspirational speakers too. We certainly met some truly inspiring people throughout the day.

The work taking place across Oxford City 1 Division has been incredible, and I am excited to see what they achieve next.

Finally, a special shout-out to 2nd Kidlington Guides for welcoming me to their unit meeting recently. With an impressive 39 Guides, the unit was full of energy and enthusiasm. It was fantastic to see each patrol engaging with their Skills Builders, developing new skills and, most importantly, having fun together. Thank you for having me, and an even bigger thank you for everything you do to provide opportunities for young members.

Danni Smith

Growth Administrator