Hello,
How can it be February already! January has certainly been a busy month, but one with optimism for the year ahead. I’m really excited to think that some of our postponed events from the last two years, now have dates to go ahead, and I know many of you are planning activities days and other events for this year too.
There is much to celebrate with Thinking Day coming up soon and then planning celebrations for The Queens Platinum Jubilee in June, and many more local activities. Have you seen the WAGGGS resource pack, Our World, Our Equal Future, it has some great resources to use with the girls in the unit to celebrate thinking day and support WAGGGS at the same time.
This week, we celebrate Chinese New Year on the 1st Febraury, with the year of the Tiger. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, and is the most important festival in China. So
Happy Chinese New Year to you all.
Membership Subscription – Its that time of year too!, I can’t end without mentioning this. We now have our trial invoices available to us, please do review these and any difficulties with being able to make the payment, do contact you county as soon as possible for support.
We have a number of opportunities for leaders to join us on the region team, Outdoors activities adviser, Queens Guide coordinator, two grass roots Trustee vacancies. These will all shortly be on the website but please do get in touch if you are interested and we can arrange to chat.
As always, take care, keep smiling!
Tracy
What is Girlguiding Inspire?
Anyone aged 18-30 in any Girlguiding role is automatically part of Girlguiding Inspire. It is a community where young women can choose their own path. It is flexible Girlguiding with fun and friendship at the heart of it. Whether you’re looking to take on adventures like GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) or building skills, for example, developing leadership skills through completing a leadership qualification or simply having fun with new friends. It’s all about enjoying the journey, developing skills, and being part of unforgettable experiences.
What can you do as part of Girlguiding Inspire?
Girlguiding Inspire focuses on seven pathways and two themes. These pathways are adventure and challenge; beyond the UK; events experience; sharing skills; leading the way; developing others as well as voice and action. One of the themes is ‘learning and awards’ which focuses on challenging yourself with a course, qualification or award from completing Girlguiding training/ e-learning to completing your Queen’s Guide award, the highest award you can work towards in guiding. The second theme is ‘just for me’ focusing on increasing membership opportunities. If you aren’t able to volunteer on a regular basis, you can still make an impact in a supporting role. No commitment is too small and will make a difference for example being an administrator or being a residential helper.
You can follow one particular pathway or mix and match to create a new path just for you! I have had the privilege to get involved with some of these pathways from completing my Brownies and Guides leadership qualification (leading the way) to leading peer education sessions (developing others) and I’m currently completing my second GOLD journey (beyond the UK).
Within my county, Buckinghamshire, we have run virtual socials from quizzes to escape rooms, a great way to spend time getting to know others in the county and share Guiding experiences. Furthermore, from looking at the Girlguiding Inspire social media platforms, I have joined in with a virtual camp. It was a great way to meet others across the country and to try out activities I could do with my own units as well as supporting someone to achieve their Queen’s Guide Award.
As a Girlguiding Inspire member myself and champion for Girlguiding Inspire Buckinghamshire I enjoy seeing all the opportunities available to suit all interests.
To find out more about the pathways and themes, visit https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/inspire/
How can you find out about the different opportunities?
Nationally, there is a ‘Girlguiding Inspire – UK and BGO’ Facebook page and ‘girlguidinginspire’ Instagram page you can join. Regionally, there is a Girlguiding Inspire Anglia Facebook page and many counties have their own Girlguiding Inspire Facebook page. These are great platforms to see all the incredible opportunities available for Girlguiding Inspire members. These include different camps you can be a part of regionally and nationally and virtual sessions you can join – how about learn a new skill? Some regions have their own challenge badges you can do. Who doesn’t love a badge?
Not on social media? Girlguiding Inspire Anglia has its own website page –https://www.girlguiding-anglia.org.uk/join-us/18-30 If you have any questions about Girlguiding Inspire/ want to find out more, email 18-30coordinator@girlguiding-anglia.co.uk
There are opportunities available for everyone!
How can you support?
Spread the word about Girlguiding Inspire! If you know anyone aged 18-30 or nearing the age in any Girlguiding role, tell them about it. Also, if you have any opportunities available from local to international level that Girlguiding Inspire can get involved with, get in touch with your county inspire champion. We look forward to hearing from you!
Let’s spread the word about Girlguiding Inspire and create many more amazing memories!
Welcome to our series on wellbeing, a place to find inspiration on leader care; tips on keeping well, links to useful information and signposts to a happier 2022!
So how do we find the contentment that we associate with feeling happier? We could start with our self-care routine; healthy volunteers influence those around them in a positive way. Taking care of ourselves is for everyone in Girlguiding too; check out this piece from a young member of Girlguiding, Hanna, with her thoughtful idea that everyone has their own definition of wellbeing:
If you are into resolutions at this time of year how about starting with small, achievable goals from last month; these could build up to being realistic resolutions to start some time in February. You could use some of the following to start the ball rolling:
- Make time to do something kind for yourself today
- Go to bed in good time and allow yourself to recharge
- Challenge your negative thoughts and look for the upside
- Get outside and notice things that are beautiful
- Look for the good in others and notice their strengths
- Eat healthy food which really nourishes (see recipe below)
- Write down your hopes and plans for the near future
And here’s a healthy, ‘banish the winter blues’ recipe to try:
Important Payment Information when paying for a booking or invoice by cheque
We are having some problems with cheques being returned unpaid by our bank as the payee does not match our account name. To ensure that cheques can be cashed quickly and efficiently, please can members when sending cheques in the future for either an invoice or booking:
- Ensure that the cheque is payable to “Guide Association Anglia Region”
- Ensure that the cheque is written clearly with no errors in either black or dark blue ink with the date in full and only the pounds as words and the pence in figures
- Post to: Girlguiding Anglia, 7 Great Hautbois Road, Coltishall, Norwich NR12 7JN
- Quote your booking reference or account number on the back of the cheque
Thank you in advance for your co-operation.
If you have any further questions or queries, contact the Girlguiding Anglia region shop or office.