Our volunteers come from a diverse and wide range of communities and we love meeting new people who would like to get involved in their local community.
Some volunteers are brand new to Guiding, some have been members themselves and some volunteered a long time ago and have come back to help with a local unit again. In my Rainbow unit I work with a team of 6 volunteers; N who runs the unit and is a parent, S who was a young leader before she moved to London and carried on volunteering when she moved, A who lives very close to our venue, C who was a leader about 30 years ago with Guides and has now come back to help with Rainbows as she has more available time, M who is a young volunteer and wanted to get involved in her local community and me. I am a Ranger in Clapham and also completing my Queens Guide award. I joined Rainbows as I wanted to complete my leadership qualification and I enjoy working with younger children.
Volunteering with Girlguiding has been the best part of my work experience. l have learned so much from my time in Rainbows such as; each child is different and develops at there own pace, each child has their own unique personalities and they often say the funniest things when we have group discussions. I have developed my own leadership skills when running sessions with the Rainbows. My favourite activities are crafts and singing and I enjoy teaching the girls new songs that I learnt myself when I was a Rainbow, Brownie and Guide.
I would recommend volunteering because it is enjoyable and amazing experience, especially if you like working with children and giving back to your community.
If you would like to find out how to volunteer with a local unit, have a look at the website and register your interest: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/
If you are aged 16-25 years old and want to find out more about the Queen’s Guide award, have a look at the website for more information: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/our-badges-and-activities/badge-finder/queens-guide-award/
Rae-Ann, 10th Clapham Rainbows