Why I volunteer for Girlguiding

I want to be an inspiration for girls

Hello, my name is Sarah Davis and I have been volunteering in Anglia for 9 years. I am a Queen’s Guide and qualified leader, as well as being Essex North East’s Senior Section Adviser & Peer Education Coordinator/ Trainer.  I also run my own Senior Section unit and support welfare at events.

How did you get involved in volunteering for Girlguiding?

I  started volunteering with Hockley Rainbows when I was 14 years old.  The unit was looking for a young leader to support with running games and craft activities for the girls.  I was very shy when I was 14 and felt that I really needed to do something to build my confidence.  I also thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved in an out of school activity that would support my college application.  Through attending the Rainbows meetings I was able to really build my skills and it helped enormously with building my confidence.  Whilst at Hockley Rainbows I completed my leadership qualification, which was a really great achievement.

Later on, when I was at college my hours changed and I was unable to make the Rainbows meetings, so I joined the local Brownies unit, as they started at a later time.  One of the things that’s great about being involved with guiding is that it’s flexible and it fits around your life.

In 2016 I moved to a new town by myself and knowing no one the first thing I did was find a unit to volunteer with!  I met so many fantastic friends and inspiring volunteers who made me feel that I wasn’t alone.  Since then I’ve worked really hard in my guiding and have taken over as leader of a senior section and have also adopted a county role.  Recently I’ve also been awarded my Queen’s Guide and Going Away with qualification, both of which are hugely rewarding and look fabulous on my CV!

What inspires you to continue volunteering?

Guiding gives young members a space to be themselves and an opportunity to grow and discover new things.  Since I started guiding when I was 14 it’s given me so many opportunities; from becoming a peer education trainer and getting my level 3 teaching and training qualification to being a leader on a region trip to Mexico world centre.

I  love being able to make a difference to individuals lives and I am passionate about continuing this, being an inspiration for girls and giving girls and young women fantastic opportunities they would never have without guiding.

Volunteering with Girlguiding has changed my life and built my confidence enormously!  It also supported me getting into university and I have now been a qualified social worker for 4 years.  I can find guiding challenging with my full-time job and working long hours, however, as it can be flexible it means I don’t have to worry too much.  I always manage to make time for guiding as it is something I enjoy so much.  I have learned so many new skills and it continues to give me so many exciting opportunities.