It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week and today we’re sharing the story of Fiona, a Brownie leader with 4th South Queensferry Brownies and lead volunteer for the equity, disability and inclusion team in Edinburgh.  

“I first joined Girlguiding as a Brownie, and I was never judged, I was accepted for being me.  As a Brownie, Guide and later, as a young leader, I was given the same opportunities as everyone else. I carried the flags at parades, I attended camps, I read out at services, I gained my Baden-Powell award and loved completing badges.    

“When I rejoined Girlguiding as an adult, I started the newer leadership qualification. The trainers that I had were amazing and if I didn’t understand something, they explained how I could make it work for me.  

“Girlguiding has given me lots of support for training sessions, like giving me the training slides early so I could read them before the training started, and printing things for me on pastel paper to make it easier to read.  

“When I take part in trainings, I may not always take part in discussions, as I need longer to process what is being said. I always explain this to the teams I am part of, and people are accepting of me. 

“Since returning to Girlguiding, I have completed my leadership qualification, taken on a Brownie unit, helped run a Rainbow unit and mentor leaders who are working towards the new leadership qualification.   

“I am also a member of the equity, diversity and inclusion advisory team and recently became the volunteer growth lead for Edinburgh. I support leaders and members to earn badges and gain qualifications.    

“I haven’t hidden my neurodivergence from my Brownie unit. When we are doing activities, some of the Brownies need extra support for tasks and I make sure they all have access to tools that help them. They feel confident taking these supports because they see me  using tools that help me too.”