Dundee Guide unit, supported by Scottish Government Scheme, offers ‘safe space’ for girls
The 29th Dundee Guides, who meet centrally in the city, are hoping to encourage more girls from the community to sign up and become a part of the Girlguiding Scotland family.
Supported by Generation CashBack, a Scottish Government scheme which aims to ensure young people from areas of deprivation can benefit from youth work opportunities, the unit is now seeking to grow its capacity and invite a greater number of girls to learn new skills, build confidence and make lasting friendships.
Back in February, CashBack development officer Anna visited the unit to run an event planning session where girls explored ways in which they could showcase Guides. They planned a recruitment event, which took place on Wednesday 30 April, and 18 girls attended to take part in crafts, cooking and learn about guiding.
Girls who join the 29th Dundee Guide unit will get the chance to attend Girlguiding Dundee’s county camp, have adventure days at Willowgate Activity Centre in Perth and play summer games in the outdoors.
Speaking about the event, Anna said: “The girls all mixed together so that everyone could meet new people, and the Guides were incredibly welcoming and helpful to the new people. Residing in a neighbourhood with high crime rates means that many of our girls will encounter anti-social behaviour. Having Guides as a safe, welcoming and fun space is incredibly important. There are units across Dundee and beyond with spaces for new girls aged 10-14 in Guides. If you know a girl who would like fun, friendship and adventure please sign up.”
A girl who visited the recruitment event commented: “I came to see what it’s like, my sister does Brownies and I’d like to do something like that.”
Unit leader Kate Southern added: “Girlguiding is a uniquely welcoming place, there is a high value on making people feel like they are a part of something. The main thing about guiding is that you have fun and challenge yourself. There’s a lot of pressure at this age to do well in sports or achieve high grades, but there’s something so special about having a space to just have fun, chill out and decompress.”
