Favourite guiding moment?
Renewing my promise as a Guide at the top of Jungfrau, a mountain in Switzerland.
How many years have you been in Guiding?
Since birth! I was taken along as a child to various events, then became a rainbow at 1st Holme Hall Rainbows, a Brownie at 2nd Walton and a Guide at 1st Holymoorside Guides in Chesterfield. I trained as a leader at my local rainbow unit, 1st Holymoorside Rainbows, and became assistant leader at 1st Upton Rainbows when I moved to Chester for university. I also help at 1st Holymoorside Guides when I am back home.
What is special about Girlguiding?
It provides a space for just girls to be themselves. It also gives me a reason to get out of the student bubble and stay in touch with the real world!
Why did you apply for GOLD?
I wanted to be part of a wider Girlguiding family than my local community, and to give something back, as Girlguiding has been such a big part of my life growing up.
Why is being a volunteer with Girlguiding rewarding?
Rainbows grow so much between 5 and 7! It is lovely to see them change, grow in confidence and get to know their personalities. It makes it all worthwhile sending a girl to Brownies and knowing they’ll grow so much more.
How do you think Girlguiding is viewed?
I think it’s viewed by a lot of people as a part of childhood, and my friends are often surprised that I’m still involved and get so much out of Girlguiding.
How do you balance studying and Guiding?
I have a very forgiving unit leader who understands that university work sometimes has to take priority. Thankfully, I don’t have to do much planning so I can use rainbows as a couple of hours break from university work each week.
What has been the toughest bit about GOLD so far?
It’s been another time commitment to juggle, along with all the other things that I say yes to! Luckily, my team are very understanding and forgiving when I forget to do things, and I’m finished university now so I can really get stuck in to GOLD.
What has been the best bit about GOLD so far?
Meeting some fantastic leaders and making friends with people from all over the country at different parts of their lives, but all having Girlguiding and wanting to give something back in common.
Don't forget to find us on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch with all our progress whilst on project in August 2016!
https://www.facebook.com/GOLDteamaruba/
https://twitter.com/ArubaGOLDies16
