Different ways of volunteering

Did you know that you spend on average 2,592 hours asleep each year? You also spend 1,139 hours surfing the net, 895 hours watching TV and 1,092 hours doing the housework if you’re a woman or 510 hours doing the housework if you’re a man!

Can you spare 12 hours (or more) of your time to do something for girls this year? If so, you can take part in our 12 Hour Challenge.

There is no set agenda for the challenge so you have complete control over how you spend the 12 hours. You could do anything from helping a group of Brownies towards getting their Gardener badge to assisting a unit redecorate their premises. If you love cooking, why not share your skills with a group of Guides on camp or if you’re a whizz with numbers help out with a unit’s accounts?

Please call 0800 169 590 1 for more information or to register your interest.

Girlguiding UK has more than 65,000 adult Leaders and we always welcome new recruits!

Every Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Senior Section unit has at least one qualified Leader. The Leader has overall responsibility for the unit. The unit Leader is usually supported by Assistant Leaders.

Unit Leaders are given training both ‘on the job’ and through training sessions. Initially they gain the Girlguiding UK Leadership Qualification and there are further training opportunities available once qualified. Leaders are supported by a mentor while training and there is a local support network.

Unit Leaders are women between the ages of 18 and 65. They can choose to lead:

• Rainbows aged five to seven
• Brownies aged seven to ten
• Guides aged ten to 14.

Or support Senior Section units for young women aged 14–26 including:

• Rangers aged 14–26
• Young Leaders aged 14–18
• Look Wider groups aged 14 +
• Young Leaders.

When and how often units meet depend upon the commitments of participants involved. For example, some may meet once a week in the evenings, others may meet once a fortnight on Saturdays. 

Helpers are vital to guiding. Girlguiding UK has recommended ratios of adults to children, dependent on the age group, so it is vital that units have committed helpers. For example, one additional Unit Helper for a Brownie unit can mean that up to eight more girls can join.

If you can help on a regular basis, once a week or fortnight, you could become a Unit Helper, assisting the unit Leader. 

Many units have a rota, where a group of parents, adult family members or other adult volunteers take it in turn to help at the unit meeting. Just once or twice a term, it's your chance to get stuck into a wide range of games and activities enjoyed by the girls.

Young Leaders help younger girls enjoy the challenges of guiding. Young Leaders are members of our Senior Section and are supported by a local Young Leader Leader.

As safety is a priority, Girlguiding UK insist on certain adult-to-girl ratios – and this is especially true with activities that take place away from the normal meeting place. Whether it's a trip to a show, a guiding event or a camp for several days, your assistance could be invaluable.

Handy with a hacksaw? Superb with a screwdriver? Many units own their own property, or share it with other voluntary organisations, and your skills could keep everything safe and accessible for guiding activities.

Maybe you are qualified to drive a minibus. Help in transporting girls and/or equipment ensures that more activities can happen in different places – from an evening at the swimming pool to a residential trip.

Sometimes it's really useful to have a few adults on hand to help the unit Leader. This could range from typing letters to researching booking details for a trip or photocopying activity sheets.

Administrators may also be involved in interesting projects within the unit or local area.

If you don't mind completing a few forms and are happy with keeping data up to date, you could help to bring more money into the unit by claiming back Gift Aid.

Commissioners work with adults, supporting the Leaders at a local level.

Units are grouped into Districts, Divisions, Counties and Countries or Regions. Most of these areas have a Commissioner who is responsible for the organisation and development of guiding in their area. Each Commissioner is supported by a team of people.

Local ‘depots’ are essential to guiding – it's the way in which units purchase uniforms, badges and activity materials. You could compare it to running a catalogue, except everyone benefits because the profits are shared with the local guiding area.

Some units may not need much secretarial support, but a District (a group of units) might. All Districts have a Commissioner and hold meetings, so a wide range of secretarial support is often welcome at this level.

If you're happy working with figures, you could play a vital role in helping the Unit Leader or District with the accounts.

Girlguiding UK is a great organisation and we want people to know what we do. You could help to publicise the activities of one unit or a whole District or Division.

Trefoil Guild members support guiding activities while taking part in their own programme of events.

Many people are involved in the training of Commissioners, Advisers and Unit Leaders. The Girlguiding UK Training Qualification is recognised by many employers.

From organising a sponsored walk to applying for a lottery grant – if you have a flair for raising funds, your skills could be put to good use, allowing the girls to take part in more activities.

Do you have a hobby or interest that you'd love to share with other people? Perhaps you have a national qualification in an outdoor activity such as climbing or a passion for arts and crafts? By sharing your skills and enthusiasm, guiding members can benefit from a wider range of activities. Advisers work within their County, Region or Country.

Each guiding County has at least one contact who puts new members in touch with their nearest units. If you are interested in encouraging more members to join, know your area well (or have a local A-Z!) and can tell people about guiding, then your County might like to hear from you. To request information/ volunteer Click here