The promise ceremony for Guides in Guyana GOLD 2013! The girls came to training sessions and at camp, at the end of our three week stay, they wanted to be part of Girlguiding. They made their promise in the rain forest between the most incredible torrential downpours and under a canopy of parrots. I felt so proud to be part of such an amazing organisation.
It is a memory that will stay with me forever!
Why do you volunteer?
I love passing onto my Guides the skills and experience gained from Girlguiding volunteers and through Girlguiding opportunities. It is so much fun, a great talking point, gives you skills for life, new friends, and even world travel!
I have been a member of Girlguiding since Rainbows but I tagged along to things when I was much younger, because my Mum has been a leader for many years.
Girlguiding has been a constant in my life despite moving around the country and I am now leader of 36th Stephenhill Guides in Sheffield. Over 2 years we have grown from 16 girls to 36. I have recently done my ‘Going Away With Licence' and I have just received my five year service badge!
What is special about Girlguiding?
The people! I have been inspired by so many people in Girlguiding…
LEADERS: My first international experience ever, I had only ever been to Wales and had never been on a plane!
SNOWY OWL: Still sends me updates, really cares about what I am up to and also helping me fundraise!
MUM: Always on the phone to give support and last minute planning ideas- particularly when I am trying to plan Guides five minutes before girls arrive!
GOLD FRIENDS: My Guyana team and leader, current and past GOLD coordinators who believed in me, GOLD 2016 leaders, my GOLD Aruba team; I cannot wait to share this adventure with you!
GUIDES: Showing why Girlguiding is special! We always have fun, even after all day in the library revising. You inspire me to be a better leader and remind me not to take things too seriously.
Why did you apply for GOLD?
I heard about GOLD when Judy Ellis, one of Shropshire’s old County Commissioners and Grandma of GOLD, explained the wonderful work that has been done over the years. I met several GOLDies who were so enthusiastic about their experiences of sustainable development with girls and young women overseas that I was inspired to apply to INTOPS (now Go for GOLD).
How do you balance studies and Guiding?
Being a student Guide leader is hard but helps you to break the student bubble. You can get caught up in student life and it is refreshing to do something different, it enables me to explore parts of Sheffield and build new connections that I would never have found as a student.
I am training to be a Speech and Language therapist at the University of Sheffield and have lots of placements, assignments and exams. I'm as organised as possible and super flexible with plans. My housemates are great; helping with cutting out and providing packed teas when I don’t have time to pop home before Guides.
I think my Guides value the fact that I am a student; I have been asked about University life, and hopefully, I am breaking some of the parent’s stereotypes of students too!
What has been the toughest bit about GOLD?
In Guyana I was super sleep deprived, covered in mosquito bites, sun burnt and very hot. After an intense day of training that hadn’t quite gone to plan, all I wanted to do was sleep/ have a little cry. I then broke a chair (by accident) and it all got a bit too much. After ice cream, a bit of singing and relaxation I felt much better and turned a rubbishy situation into a great one…. our training the next day was fabulous!
What has been the highlight of GOLD so far?
I have really grown in confidence through GOLD. Starting as a nervous 17 year old who had never really travelled, knowing little about anything outside of the UK, I now truly feel part of a global organisation. I have Guiding friends from all walks of life who are passionate about changing the lives of girls and young women by providing them with a unique girl only space.
I have the confidence to say yes to exciting opportunities, like leading GOLD Aruba!
What have you learnt at GOLD that you have shared with your unit?
“Don’t sit next to Fred”, “Toaster, Microwave, Elephant” and “Fox and chicken”; fantastic games taught to me by the wonderful Clare, from Guyana 2013. My Guides absolutely love them and at least one of them is played every week!
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