What Leaders Say
- Where I find the time to be a volunteer!
- My greatest memory in Girlguiding.
- The most rewarding aspect of Guiding
- What motivates me to keep being a volunteer.
- Why leaders are so important in Girlguiding.
- How being a leader has enhanced my life.
- Why I believe Girlguiding should be just for Girls.
- Four words I would use to describe my experience as a Guider.
- What I would say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer.
- What skills I have gained in Guiding to offer my employers.
- What is it that you are trying to do for the girls?
- What I get out of being a leader.
- Why Guiding is the best choice I made.
- How Guiding today has changed.
Where I find the time to be a volunteer
I enjoy it so much - I find the time to run my Brownie pack. The girls are so enthusiastic about what they do, that it is quite easy to make the sacrifices that are required.
Mary from Angus
I have gained many experiences throughout my life that has taught me to forward plan my time and prioritise my work. I have effective organisational and communication skills, which enable me to delegate successfully.
Margaret from North Lanarkshire
"Knowing the pleasure I got out of being a Guide all those years ago, I felt it was important to find the time to help with the Guides when I could. I have made so many good friends and get a chance to do all the fun things I did as a Guide again!
Valerie from Banff & Buchan
I make the time because I enjoy it so much and like to see the girls progress through the organisation.
Cath from Banff and Buchan
My greatest memory in Girlguiding
The achievements are not measured in terms of awards or trophies but in helping the girls successfully.
Elizabeth from North Lanarkshire
We had a camp last year on a circus theme. The Guides had the chance to complete their "Circus Skills" badge. We did juggling, face painting, stilt walking, bending balloons and lots more. My greatest achievement was managing to stay on a unicycle for almost half a minute before falling off.
Jane from Midlothian
We had a county camp, which was great fun! I remember spending the whole week laughing with other adults and the girls and really enjoying every day. I had to leave a day early and felt very upset at missing the end of such a wonderful event.
Sarah from Midlothian
The most rewarding aspect Guiding
What I found rewarding was the companionship of the girls who were involved.
Magda from North Lanarkshire
I will always remember the sheer delight on the girls' faces when they achieve a task set for them. They are always so grateful and remember to say thank you.
Elizabeth from Caithness
The experience I most enjoy is watching the little girls grow and blossom into caring young people. It is the eager looks on their faces; the anticipation of what the evening at Rainbows will bring which is so rewarding.
Sheila from Caithness
What motivates me to keep being a volunteer
The feeling is that in some small way I'm helping to show youngsters that Guiding has a lot to offer in this present age - particularly friendship.
Eve from North Lanarkshire
Going to Guide meetings and being with the girls keeps me going. Sometimes I get home from work on Wednesday evening and it feels too much to get changed and rush out to the Guide meeting, when I'd rather sit down, relax and have my supper. However, I always feel it is worthwhile once I get to the meeting, talk to the girls and participate in events. It always seems to be fresh and fun each week.
Jane from Midlothian
I really enjoy helping with Brownies and getting feedback from the girls about the activities they enjoy.
Elizabeth from Caithness
Seeing the girls achieve so many things motivates me. To see them having fun, enjoying one another's company and helping each other gives me such a boost. With so many bad things happening in the world it is a stimulating and positive environment to be a part of.
Isabel from Banff & Buchan
Why leaders are so important in Girlguiding
The leader has a special relationship with the girls - it's not the same as a teacher, or "best friend" or a parent. A leader will show from her own example what the ideals of Guiding are about in real life. It sounds like a serious responsibility, but seems to happen naturally.
Jane from Midlothian
The leader becomes a friend for life. She helps girls achieve their potential through enthusiasm and encouragement. Girlguiding is where girls gain invaluable experience in every aspect. The leader is someone they respect who they can turn to for help and advise.
Jennifer from North Lanarkshire
The leader is very important in Brownies because through her expertise and guidance Brownies learn to reach their potential through events and activities.
Elizabeth from Caithness
The leader gives the girls experiences and memories that will stay with them. I warmly remember with my leaders when I was a Brownie and Guide.
Kay from Banff & Buchan
How being a leader has enhanced my life
I have met many interesting people and my circle of friends has vastly widened. It has really increased.
Georgia from North Lanarkshire
Being a volunteer because I get great enjoyment out of helping the girls and being part of a group of adult leaders have enhanced my life.
Elizabeth from Caithness
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
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
Why I believe Girlguiding should be just for Girls
Girlguiding is an organisation created by girls for girls who are seeking something exciting and rewarding. Being just for girls makes it special for them.
Elizabeth from North Lanarkshire
It gives the girls an opportunity to do different activities that are informal, fun and challenging in an all female environment. This gives them the chance to try out roles and meet challenges, which they might not feel comfortable to do in a mixed gender situation. Most girls are at mixed gender schools, so this helps make Guiding special for them.
Jane from Midlothian
The team building activities are more extensive and an all female organisation is obviously easier to relate to.
Elizabeth from Caithness
The girls can enjoy and stretch themselves without being overtaken by boys who are often at different stages of development and can dominate social situations.
Mandy from Inverness-shire
Four words I would use to describe my experience as a Guider
Enjoyment Satisfaction Achievement Friendship
Eve from North Lanarkshire
Fun Friends Teamwork Laughs
Mandy from Inverness-shire
Varied Stimulating Friendly Busy Jane from Midlothian
Enjoyable Rewarding Fun Interesting
Elizabeth from Caithness
What I would say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer
Being rewarding in Guiding is rewarding, exciting and heartening knowing that you are contributing to the welfare of youngsters. We may not realise it but each one of us has something to offer. We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Margaret from North Lanarkshire
It does take a lot of time and energy but it is worth it when you see how the girls benefit. The more effort you put in the more you get out and it is incredibly satisfying to be a part of the girls' sense of enjoyment and achievement.
Catherine from Angus
Want a new hobby or the opportunity to share a craft, activity or social skills with friends? The benefits of becoming a leader are continuous, especially if you enjoy meeting people. Leaders and girls meet regularly, work together and share ideas and news.
Susan from Angus
Volunteering is worth all the time and effort because it is interesting, creative, challenging and rewarding. Volunteering helps stimulate leaders as well as the girls. We are helping shape young minds for the future.
Margaret from North Lanarkshire
The time effort and energy is worth it as I feel a part of a group. The Guides are very different and I feel I give something back in return for my time and effort. If you are thinking of volunteering then go for it!
Elizabeth from Caithness
What skills I have gained in Guiding to offer my employers
Most organisations look for people with good communication skills, which is a major part of Guiding.
Betty from North Lanarkshire
In Guiding there are lots of different roles and volunteers can use and develop lots of different skills. However, I think all of us in Guiding are able to understand that everyone is an individual and the same time we can work together in teams.
Jane from Midlothian 
I have lots of practical experience of project and event management, both large and small.
Janet from Inverness-shire
I have the ability to think on my feet, able to cope with any situation and not panic. Also, good people skills, be easy to talk to and be a good listener. Finally to have initiative and be able to implement creative ideas.
Jennifer from Banff and Buchan
What is it that you are trying to do for the girls?
We share our time and our enthusiasm with them, and at the same time try to ensure each Guide feels like she is an individual as well as part of a special unit and proud to be a part of a world-wide movement. Jane from Midlothian
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
As volunteers we aim to create a happy and safe environment for the Rainbows. One encourages the girls to be creative and ever thoughtful towards others.
Sheila from Caithness
What I get out of being a leader
I have met and made many friends in my local community - amongst other adult leaders and parents of girls as well as the girls themselves. It's very rewarding to see girls moving from Guides to the Senior Section and then becoming adults and some adult leaders in Guiding.
Jane from Midlothian
I have made lots of new friends with the same interests and values. Seeing the enjoyment the girls get out of Guiding gives you more enthusiasm to take on more challenges.
Linda from Inverness-shire
I get great personal satisfaction in organising activities and seeing the excitement and enthusiasm on the girls' faces. I also enjoy the training opportunities and meeting people in my community.
Tracy from Banff and Buchan
Why Guiding is the best choice I made
I would definitely choose Guiding if I could do it again. Remembering the last 40 years I have had so much fun and learned a lot. The best thing to come out of Guiding is the lifelong friendships I have made.
Morag from North Lanarkshire
Girlguiding has given me so many different experiences. I have made so many friends and travelled all over the UK and overseas.
Helen from Inverness-shire
How Guiding today has changed
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
Friends seem surprised that Girlguiding begins at age five now and that such young girls can be involved in arranging and planning their own activities.
Lynn from Banff & Buchan
Guiding is packed full of interesting and diverse activities, with the emphasis on helping girls reach their potential and grow as individuals.
Julie from Inverness-shire
What Girls say about their Leaders
Watch a video of Rainbows talking about their Leaders.
To view, right click on the Rainbows link below and select 'Save Target As..'to download the file to your computer..
Rainbows 6mb
You will need Windows Media Player to view this movie, you can download it free from the Microsoft website. Just click on the download button below and follow the instructions.
Leaders have helped me make friends, have a good time. They don't shout and are friendly, caring and helpful.
Kirsty
Leaders always make me smiley.
Rachel
They are always there for us, help us and take us away camping.
Leona
Leaders make sure you are not left out and they always listen.
Jemma
Leaders are very important to me because they don't keep secrets and help me with personal problems.
Audrey
The leaders are helpful and really happy.
Kirsty
Interested in finding out more about volunteering?
If you are interested in volunteering, you can -
1. Make contact with a volunteer in your County
2. Email: Please fill out the enquiry form
3. Telephone 0800 1 69 59 01