I started my Girlguiding adventure when I returned home from working in Italy, I was complaining to a friend that I was bored as I didn’t have a job. Don’t be bored, she said, come and help me at Guides. At the end of my first meeting she asked if I had enjoyed it and then told me she was leaving for personal reasons. The last 40 years have gone in the blink of an eye. I have moved north and joined a unit in Cheadle. 3 years ago, I stood down from the unit and now help with a virtual unit. I have had many adventures and experiences with Girlguiding, from attending International Camp in this county, taking girls to Disneyland Paris, Holland, India and to Budapest (in 8 days and taking in 4 countries en-route!). I have seen girls grow in confidence and helped them to try new experiences from crossing rope bridges and abseiling to learning to knit.
I have taken on a number of different roles during my time in Guiding – District Commissioner leading a local team of leaders, Division Camp adviser leading division camps and helping other leaders to gain their Going Away qualifications, County Outdoor Adviser leading the County Outdoor Team supporting with the organisation some of the County events during the County’s 100th Birthday. I am presently the County Duke of Edinburgh Adviser supporting girls to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Awards and planning expeditions.
My highlight was visiting Sangam, the Girlguiding world centre in India. It became my life’s ambition to visit when I learned about the centre in the 1980s. Girlguiding has giving me so many opportunities and I have made many friends during my time.
To say that first conversation with my friend Jan changed my life is not an understatement. Volunteering with Girlguiding has boosted my self-confidence and I know that that many of the paid jobs I have had over the years I wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t gained experience and confidence from volunteering. As a byline – although Jan stood down from Girlguiding she is still involved volunteering today helping at a local community centre.
Sue Edwards
If you’re interested in starting an adventure with Girlguiding, you can sign up via their website here Get involved in girls’ activities and our charity | Girlguiding but if you’d like the Support Staffordshire Volunteering Team to help you to find your next volunteering adventure, you can sign up via our website here Volunteers – Support Staffordshire or get in touch on [email protected]
