Blog / October 31st, 2024
Uniformed Youth Fund – November update
Last month saw the release of the Girlguiding Girls’ Attitudes Survey which provides valuable insights into the lives and challenges of girls and young women today. It’s tough reading but there is also some positivity to be found. Girls say they are anxious about the future but they also say they are hopeful and curious. Girls and young women know they face challenges but they also feel they are coming together to be a powerful force for good.
What is hopeful in the report?
Girlguiding girls are up to 23% more confident on average than girls in the UK. In general they believe that confidence will be one of the most important attributes for a successful future.
We know they talk about topics that are important to them and they want to see change. A massive 82% have talked about change they would like to see to help the environment in the last 12 months. They want to work together with adults to tackle issues that matter to them.
What are we doing?
Did you see Girlguiding’s videos about AI generated content? This is fantastic and is just the sort of messaging that we need to share with girls and young women all year round. Units discuss this sort of thing all the time, particularly Ranger units. Together, we are slowly taking action towards a more equal future.
I’m inspired by young leaders
Young leaders develop their own skills when they donate their time to Girlguiding and they also inspire other young girls. They often provide a vital bridge between the girls in a unit and the adult leadership team. They can do far more than help with drinks and games although that’s important too. Did you know – a third of Rainbow, Brownie or Guide units don’t have a young leader or young external volunteer. I think represents a big opportunity for growth. Could your unit benefit from a young volunteer? If you have a young volunteer, how can you help them develop their skills?
We have 2 young leader trainings this autumn – 1 in Essex on 24 November and 1 in Cambridgeshire on 8 December. Bookings for the first day have now closed but bookings for the second training are open for a bit longer. If these events are successful, we’ll share what we learned with county volunteers so they can repeat the training around the region. We’re really fortunate that these training days are heavily subsidised by the Uniformed Youth Fund so tickets cost just £5. We’d strongly recommend that units support their young leaders with travel costs and the £5 ticket.
Any other exciting opportunities coming up?
Girlguiding are recruiting a specialist volunteer for youth leadership. This is an exciting opportunity for someone to empower girls and young women at an organisation level. You’ll work with staff and volunteers bringing leadership opportunities to Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. Applications close at 9am on 20 November and you can apply by word document, voice or video. What a fantastic way to show all girls that they have leadership skills regardless of their age or previous experience.
We can do more together
Our 4 steps to recruitment success training is a practical and encouraging training about growing guiding in your local area. It works best when commissioners and other volunteers with a responsibility or interest in growing guiding apply and attend together. You’ll improve your skills, come away with lots of new tools and set your own goals and actions to grow guiding. Together we’ll strengthen our organisation and welcome more volunteers and girls.
The more people that join us, the bigger our impact on the communities we serve.
Click here for the last blog. The next blog is coming in December.
