President’s blog – June 2025

Dear member,

This month kicks off by marking Volunteers Week. This year is about celebrating the power of volunteering to bring people together, with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’. We thank and recognise the contributions of all volunteers across the country, celebrate their impact and try to get others involved.

And wow, what a lot of thanking and celebrating we need to do in Girlguiding Anglia! Because we couldn’t deliver Girlguiding without you, especially at the grass roots where our wonderful leaders give up their time week after week to run units, and then on top of that take the girls on camps, outings and residentials, sometimes near at home and sometimes far away. What fantastic experiences you give the girls, enabling them to discover new things, connect with Guides and Scouts from other communities and countries, and to challenge themselves in so many different ways. We do indeed owe you all a very big thank you.

Last month I was privileged to attend our county awards afternoon, where relatively new leaders were thanked alongside some who have given 40, 50, even 60 years of service. Such dedication – and obviously a real love for the role. Because being a leader really is rewarding; seeing the girls growing in ability and confidence, even if they don’t succeed at first.

But there must be fun in it for the volunteer too, otherwise why do it? Guiding does offer some amazing experiences. Recently Karen, our very own cheeky chiefie, along with eleven other leaders from Girlguiding Anglia, volunteered to help at a Buckingham Palace garden party. And how exciting was that! Many people with connections to Guiding recognised the uniform and came to say hello, and they also met the Duchess of Edinburgh, our Patron. Apparently she was absolutely lovely and so down to earth.

Whatever your role in guiding, large or small, thank you. What you are doing is amazing. Please don’t forget that – and have fun.

Rosie

Girlguiding Anglia President.