Guiding is for girls, but it is nothing without adult volunteers. In fact, with more adults helping, many more girls could benefit from Guiding.

There are many roles for Leaders and you can use your skills and interests to help girls and young women in Scotland unleash their potential. As a volunteer you would have the opportunity to use your talents, learn new skills, develop existing skills and make new friends, and put something back by helping, encouraging and promoting young people today.

There are many volunteer roles in Guiding, whether you can give an hour now and then or a regular weekly commitment. Many volunteers give their time as Leaders or Assistant Leaders for Guiding units and get to see girls enjoying events and activities that they have organised. However, a large number of volunteers also work in administrative or support roles, like Adviser Roles, Commissioners or Unit Helpers, or maybe help out with driving or maintenance on an occassional basis. There are a lot of opportunities and training available for every role.

Leaders spend a lot of time building up relationships with young people - helping them with new challenges and to live their lives to the full. So getting on well with people is an essential talent. A good relationship with her Leader will foster a girl or young woman's self-esteem and her ability to relate to others.

What our Leaders say

"We are people from all walks of life, who volunteer because we are committed to encouraging girls and young women to reach their full potential, to enjoy the outdoors, experience travelling abroad, work on community projects, to gain skills which will benefit them throughout their lives. Guiding is a life changing, life influencing organisation for all of us." Raye from Renfrewshire

"Being a volunteer has benefited me as it has opened up opportunities to join in activities, have new experiences and meet many people from all walks of life." Susan from Inverness-shire

"I enjoy seeing the girls have fun and make new friends. It is great to see how the older girls have developed their own way of thinking about things and setting their own achievement goals. If I played just a small part in this development then it will have been worth it." Sheila from Caithness

"Since I have been a volunteer at the Guides I have surprised myself at how much I enjoy it every week. I have personally learned a lot of different things, e.g. craft making, baking, yoga and kick boxing. My friends and family are also surprised about the varied and interesting activities we do together." Sharon from Caithness

"Through friendship and activities we give girls the opportunity to mature, be independent and decisive. They learn to help other people and to contribute in a positive way to society." Jenny from North Lanarkshire

Find out more about volunteering with Guiding and get in touch with a local unit.