Camp chief
We’re looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic camp chief for our proposed 2027 large-scale camp!
Are you looking for ways to further your event planning and project management skills? Do you want to make an impact on hundreds of girls’ lives, helping them create lasting memories? Then check out this opportunity to become a camp chief!
What would you be doing?
As camp chief you will lead the scoping, planning, coordination, and delivery of a large-scale camp in July 2027 for approximately 1,000 Girlguiding Scotland members, ensuring a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for all. You’ll be working in partnership with Girlguiding Scotland staff at all stages of the project and you will oversee a team of volunteers responsible for different project areas.
Your key responsibilities will be:
- Volunteer management
- Designing and planning
- Managing risk
- Managing finance
- Event delivery
- Event evaluation
Skills we are looking for:
We are looking for a volunteer who has the passion, energy and time to commit to this exciting 2-year project, and who has at least some of the following skills and experience:
- Proven experience in leading large-scale events or projects.
- Experience of attending large-scale camps or jamborees.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, to ensure everyone feels valued and supported.
- Ability to maintain independent and objective judgement.
- Good diplomacy and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent organisational, time management and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Understanding of health and safety requirements for large events.
- Familiarity with safeguarding and inclusion best practices.
- Good knowledge of Girlguiding policies and procedures.
- Calm under pressure with the ability to think creatively, adapt, and reassess on the spot.
- Budget management experience.
- Good technical literacy and ability to work with Microsoft apps such as Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint and Planner.
- The vision and dedication to deliver a memorable event.
How to apply
Applications close 12pm 1 July 2025.
Get more info
If you are interested and would like to know more before applying or have any questions, please contact Lorraine Dickson, lead volunteer for girl experience, on Lorraine@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
Out and About 2026 volunteer team
We are looking for enthusiastic members of Girlguiding Scotland to join a small team working online to put together the 2026 Out and About challenge.
What would you be doing?
- Participating in discussions at regular virtual team meetings (on Teams or Zoom)
- Consulting the membership to decide on the theme of the challenge
- Writing activities for the challenge pack
- Making design choices for the badge
- Coming up with new ways to evaluate the success of the project
Skills we are looking for:
- Communication
- Time management
- Organisation
- Creative thinking
- An interest in the outdoors
- Awareness of inclusion and accessibility
- Technology (enough to be able to join virtual meetings)
- Leadership (for the project lead volunteer)
How to apply
Applications close 12pm on 30 June 2025.
Get more info
If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Thomas on Rachel@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
Roar and Explore volunteer team
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join the team delivering this exciting event!
What would you be doing?
There are some set roles we would like to recruit people into, but you may be asked to do other things as needed.
- Safari bus managers
- Safari bus stewards
- Quiet zone stewards
- Arrivals and departures team
- Member engagement team
Skills needed:
- Communication
- Time management
- Organisation
- Adaptability
- Friendly
- Approachable
You must also have a valid PVG in place, safer guiding and be a member of Girlguiding Scotland up to and including the full duration of the event.
How to apply
Applications close 12pm on 20 June 2025.
Get more info
If you have any questions about these roles, please contact Rachel Thomas on Rachel@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
Post a thank you on our wall and pack it with positivity!
Help us celebrate every member, whether they’ve organised a great day out, helped you with admin or brought some inspiration to your area. We know our members go above and beyond and there’s loads to be thankful for.
Post your thanks
Powered by volunteers social media assets
Join in with Powered by Volunteers Day on Saturday 9 June and share these graphics!
Download the Instagram graphics below:
Download the square graphics below:
Download the editable value of volunteering graphic:
You’re going to Lead 2025!
We’ll send everything you need to know straight to your inbox when we open sign-ups for sessions later in the year. You’ll receive a confirmation email of your registration in the next 3 days.
For now, you just need to save the date in your diary – Saturday 1 November at the SEC in Glasgow. If you have any questions, just get in touch by emailing hello@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
Have a second to spare? Please complete our equality monitoring form below!
By answering, you’ll help us understand the diverse backgrounds and needs of our attendees. This survey is completely anonymous and cannot be linked to your personal details. If you’d prefer not to answer, you can close this page – your registration is already confirmed.
Email banners
Make your volunteering visible and download our email banners today! Add the image into your email signature at the bottom of your email and let parents know they’d make a great volunteer or that you volunteer to help all girls know they can do anything!
Find guidance from the most common email providers on how to add a signature below:
Download the email banners below:
Good Guiding Fund
This funding aims to help deliver good guiding, whatever that may look like in your area.
The Good Guiding Fund is back!
Thanks to funding from Girlguiding Scotland and The Gannochy Trust You can apply for up to £500. You’ll be asked to choose from up to 3 categories when making your application.
The categories are:
- Meeting place rent
- Uniform
- Subscriptions
- Resources (including programme materials, badges, equipment)
- Leadership activities including trips for girls
- Training for adults
- Recruitment
- If you are applying on behalf of a district or division, you can also apply for a contribution to thanks and recognition activities
There is a separate form for those applying for international activities that involve travelling abroad.
Units, districts and divisions can apply if more than 18 months have passed since they were last offered a Good Guiding Fund grant and previous evaluations have been completed. We’d love to see more first-time applications too so please get in touch if you’d like help to apply.
2025 and 2026 dates
The fund will open to applications again from 1 September 2025 to 12 October 2025. Grants awarded will need to be spent between January 2026 and July 2026 (unless you’re applying for international trips happening further in the future).
To help you plan further ahead, we can also confirm that there will be a further round of funding available between 19 January 2026 and 1 March 2026. Grants issued in this round will need to be spent between July 2026 and January 2027 (unless you’re applying for international trips happening further in the future).
We won’t be able to accept applications outside of these dates and we can’t fund things that have already happened.
How to apply
Before making an application, please read the FAQs in full. These cover everything you need to know about making an application including who can apply and what conditions you need to have met before your application will be considered.
When the fund is open live application links will show here.
If you would like help or have questions that aren’t covered by the FAQs, contact funding@girlguiding-scot.org.uk.
Check out our FAQs
When will the Good Guiding Fund open again?
The fund will next open to applications in autumn 2025 (date tbc). Both 2025 rounds will have the same amount of money allocated to them. If the number of applications from eligible levels exceeds the amount of funding available, the decision-making panel may choose to award part or no funding.
How long do I have to apply?
Round 4 will open at 9am on 24 February 2025 and remain open until 11:59pm on 6 April 2025. We won’t accept applications for Round 4 before 24 February 2025.
Both rounds will have the same amount of money allocated to them and all applications will be reviewed together once each round closes. We won’t be able to accept applications outside of these dates.
Who can apply?
Scottish units, districts and divisions can apply for support through the general funding stream or the travelling abroad funding stream (but not both).Scottish counties can apply for support through the travelling abroad funding stream only.
Levels will only be able to apply for a Good Guiding Fund grant if they haven’t received money from this fund in the last 18 months. This is to ensure as many members as possible can benefit from the fund. (To work if it you are eligible to apply again, calculate 18 months from the date of your last Good Guiding Fund offer letter.)
Levels that have failed to complete evaluation forms for previous rounds of funding are ineligible for further funding.
Requests to support an individual girl or girls should be made in the name of a unit by the unit leader. The unit leader will be responsible for completing the evaluation for the funding. Support for individual volunteers should be made in the name of a district or division. The district or division will be responsible for completing the evaluation form.
Newly opened or opening units should apply for a FoGGS New Unit Grant and Trefoil Guild Starter Pack instead of a Good Guiding Fund Grant.
Guide or Ranger units in areas of deprivation should check whether they are eligible for the Generation CashBack project before applying to Good Guiding Fund. Units that have received Generation CashBack funding in the last 12 months will not be eligible for Good Guiding Funding. This is to ensure we can spread the funding we have available around as many units as possible.
If you’re not eligible for this fund, there is lots of other support available. You’ll find details of other Girlguiding Scotland funds, Girlguiding grants and external funds here.
Can I apply for multiple units in 1 application form?
Unless you are applying for support to go on an international trip, please submit 1 application form per unit – if you request support for multiple units on a single application form, we won’t be able to consider your request.
For a clear audit trail, we must be able to track back funding issued to the application for funding. 1 application per unit will enable effective financial governance.
Do we need our own bank account to be able to apply?
If you don’t yet have a bank account set up for your unit (or district, or division), we can arrange for the funds to be paid to your county (with their permission).
We’ve had funding before – can we apply?
Levels can apply to the fund once every 18 months as long as they completed the required evaluation forms for any funding received previously. This is to ensure that as many members as possible can benefit from the fund.
Units experiencing hardship are encouraged to approach their commissioner for support with budgeting and advice about local sources of funding that may be available within the county. You can also find details of external funds here. (To work if it you are eligible to apply again, calculate 18 months from the date of your last Good Guiding Fund offer letter.)
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for up to £500. You should only apply for the amount of funding you’ll really need – if you apply for too much, you’ll need to be ready to return the money as it can only be used for the purpose set out in your application form. We would anticipate applicants being able to spend all the funding they are offered within 6 months of us transferring the funds.
How long does the process take from applying to receiving an offer?
For applications submitted as part of round 4 (February/March/April 2025), we’ll aim to let people know the outcome of their application by 16 May. Applicants will then have until 20 June to accept any funding offered.
What can I apply for?
Levels can apply for up to £500 across a maximum of 3 of the following categories only.
- Meeting place rent
- We’ll support units with up to 6 months of rent payments. Districts/divisions cannot apply for rent costs on behalf of units within their area. We will not fund meeting place donations, utility bills, general maintenance or any other building-related costs.
- Uniform
- You can apply for up to one item per young member and/or leader. We will only offer funding towards official uniform purchased from the Girlguiding Scotland shop. If requesting funding for uniform, you’re encouraged to consider how the uniform could contribute toward a uniform bank/be passed on to another member in need in future.
- Subscriptions
- We can only offer funding toward subscriptions if the number of girls on GO matches the number of girls specified in your application form. Funding should be used within 6 months of it being awarded (unless for international travel) so the panel may refuse applications for subscriptions at certain times of year. If you receive funding for subscriptions, we’ll also support you to make a plan for budgeting for next year’s subscription as a condition of our offer. If your subs invoice has fewer girls on it than you receive funding for, you will be required to return the surplus.
- Resources
- You can apply for costs toward programme materials, badges, craft and other small pieces of equipment you’re likely to use within the next 6 months. The fund isn’t intended to help units stockpile badges so we’ll only fund enough for the number of girls in the unit currently.
- Leadership activities (including trips for girls)
- You can apply for activities in or out of the unit meeting place that will help girls develop skills and leadership. This can also include help to take part in a Scottish programme or event such as Peer Education or Camp CEO. When applying for trips, you should tell us what you plan to do, when you plan to do it and how it will help girls develop skills.
- Training for adults
- The fund will support district and division-level trainings to upskill volunteers. It will also support unit teams to take part in local or Scottish training connected to their role. Scottish trainers should contact the Volunteer Experience Project Coordinator for support to access funding for training connected to their roles.
- Recruitment
- You can apply for support to take part in recruitment events in your local area including costs associated with stall hire and buying banners and other resources that could be shared within your district or division. You can also apply for support with costs associated with welcome events or bring a friend evenings. We won’t cover the cost of posters or postcards as you can get these free from the Girlguiding Scotland shop.
- Thanks and recognition
- The Good Guiding Fund will support district and division activities designed to thank and recognise volunteers. This could include activities related to Volunteers’ Week which happens every June or Student Volunteers’ Week which happens in February.
- International trips
- The fund will support young member trips to participate in international events taking place in or out of the UK. Where a REN is required, your trip must have REN Part 1 authorisation in place when you apply. If you apply before your trip is at this stage, your application will be refused. We cannot provide contingency funding. If multiple units are taking part in the trip, you should make 1 application per trip. Please note, if units taking part in the trip received funding from the Good Guiding Fund in the last 18 months, we will not be able to consider your application. Please note counties are unable to apply to the fund.
What won’t the fund cover?
The funding isn’t available to cover costs things that have already happened. That includes bills that you have already paid or orders you’ve already placed. It also won’t fund property and building related costs (except rent) or to offer donations to meeting place providers. It can’t be used to create a contingency fund either.
What do I need to do before starting my application?
Before making an application on behalf of a unit, please check the following:
- You know the level number for the unit, district or division you are applying for and the name of the level as it appears on GO.
- The number of girls and adults attached is accurate on GO.
- For unit-level applications, the unit’s capacity has been entered into GO.
- The most recently due set of accounts have been completed and shared with the county. (We’ll ask your county commissioner to verify this too.)
- You’ll need a copy of the level’s bank statement dated within the last 3 months. The statement must show the account balance, name of the unit and date. (If the level you are applying for does not have it’s own bank account, there’s space to tell us this on the application form.)
- You’ll also need to know the current balance in the unit’s bank account and be able to explain any money you’re holding onto.
- You’ll need to be able to give a breakdown of the funding you’re requesting.
- You should also check you are applying for the right round based on when you think you’ll need the funding. If you apply too early, your application will be refused.
- The September/October 2024 round is for activities happening and/or costs that will be incurred between January 2025 and July 2025.
- The March/April 2025 round is for activities happening and/or costs that will be incurred between July 2025 and January 2026.
You may apply for funding further in advance if seeking support for in.
What do I need to do before starting my application for an international trip?
- If you are applying for funding to take part in an international activity, you should use the International Activities application form.
- For international trips that require an Internation REN, we will only be able to consider applications if REN Part one has already been authorised at the time of application. (This is required at least 9–18 months before the date of travel and is the part of the REN form that includes the international adviser’s signature and authorising commissioner’s signature.)
- We’re looking for one application per international trip so you’ll need to work together on this if you’re travelling as a group of units.
- You’ll need to know how many adults and girls are taking part in the trip and how many girls will be going abroad for the first time as a result of your trip.
You should know the level name for which you are running the trip – if you are required to complete an International REN form, this is the level named in the Event Details section of the form.
Do I need to provide our accounts to support our application?
We ask for a bank statement dated within the last 3 months rather than accounts. This enables us to see the current financial position of units while accounts often show an out-of-date position. You’ll be asked to upload the bank statement when you fill in our online form. If you have a bank account and fail to provide a statement, we won’t be able to consider your application.
Our accounts are overdue. Can we still apply?
No. It is important that we can show due diligence in our assessment process. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer funding when accounts are overdue.
We have reserves in our bank account. Can we still apply?
We recognise that good financial management can lead to some level of reserves being accumulated. We also recognise that reserves can mean successful fundraising. That’s why there’s space on the application form to explain the balance in the account at the time of application.
Can I apply without knowing exactly how much funding I will need?
No. By the time you apply for funding you should have a good idea of how much funding you need and be able to show how you came up with this figure. This helps ensure the funding is being allocated to projects or plans that are likely to go ahead within the next 6 months.
Can we apply for subscriptions if we don’t yet know what the local levy will be?
If you don’t yet know what your local levy will be, you may want to apply for the Girlguiding and Girlguiding Scotland portions of the levy only. If you receive funding toward subscriptions for more girls than are in your unit when the final invoice is generated, you will be required to return any surplus funding.
We’ve already started fundraising for an event or activity – could we apply to this fund and use the money we’ve raised so far, for something else?
All of your fundraising must comply with Girlguiding’s fundraising policy. You can apply for funding to top up what you’ve raised already, or you could continue to fundraise and make an application for something else.
Do I need approval from my commissioner to apply?
You don’t need approval in advance of making an application. However, you may wish to let your commissioner know that you’re thinking of applying as there may be other local funds that you could access. County commissioners will be asked to review all applications made to the fund once they have been submitted. This will include asking them to confirm that the unit, district or division has submitted their latest set of accounts.
Who decides whether an application is successful or not?
Our trustees set out the overall criteria for the Good Guiding Fund with advice from our business management and finance committee. A panel of staff and volunteers will review applications against the criteria.
Will all applications be approved?
Applications will be checked against the fund criteria. Those that meet the criteria will then be considered for funding. If we have more applications than funding available for the round, we’ll give priority to those who haven’t received funding previously and where there’s evidence of financial need. Even then, you may not receive all or any of the funding you request. We’ll be considering similar applications in batches to help ensure our decision-making is consistent.
How long will I have to spend any funding I receive?
We anticipate that most funding will be used within 6 months of you receiving your funding. If you don’t think you’ll be able to use all the money within this time, you may wish to apply for a later round.
What conditions are attached to the funding?
Yes, it’s important that we gather evidence to show how this funding is being used and the difference that it is making to local guiding. You’ll need to complete a short online form 6-7 months after receiving funding to confirm that the money has been spent as intended. The evaluation will also ask how many girls and adults have benefitted and invite you to tell us a little bit about the difference it’s made. As the evaluation is a condition of the funding, if you fail to complete it, we’ll contact you to discuss returning the funding.
If I need support with my application or I have a question that’s not covered here who do I contact?
Contact funding@girlguiding-scot.org.uk and a member of the team will be in touch. Our development workers will be available for 1-to-1 phone or zoom calls. We expect to very busy as the deadline for applications approaches so please get in touch as early as possible as we won’t be able to accept applications after the deadline date.
1st Arbroath Guides and Rangers’ Stirling adventure thanks to Good Guiding Fund
Guides and Rangers from Angus ventured down to the historic city of Stirling for an action-packed 2-day residential.
Volunteer Recruitment Project
Nearly half of Girlguiding Scotland units that responded to our recruitment needs survey currently have an urgent need for volunteers. The volunteer recruitment project will focus on recruiting and welcoming new volunteers to address this need. Together, we will:
- Support districts and divisions to see the opportunities to attract new volunteers in their area
- Create links with other organisations and groups that could help us reach more potential volunteers
- Develop recruitment and welcome materials that are tailored to specific audiences and show what it’s really like to volunteer with us
- Support local recruitment and awareness raising activities, online and in person
- Support, motivate and inspire current volunteers to make the welcome we give new people even better
- Spread good practice across Scotland
As a result of the project, over the next 3 years, we should see:
- More people enquiring to volunteer
- More people joining guiding
- Existing volunteers feeling more confident and supported in their recruitment
What can I do to help this project succeed?
- Got an innovative idea for how we could recruit or welcome new people? Share it with us!
- Got a contact with an organisation or group that could help us reach potential volunteers? Share it with us!
- Got an example of a recruitment activity that’s worked really well? Share it with us!
What’s coming up in the next few months?
We had a great response to our unit recruitment needs survey so we are currently working our way through your replies to develop an action plan. At the same time, we’re also building up our Scottish volunteer and staff team. You might have seen adverts for a new warm welcome lead volunteer and enquiry coordinator as well as 3 volunteer recruitment officer posts. We’ll be sharing further plans through this webpage, our marketing newsletter and social media.
I’ve got an urgent recruitment need, how do I get support through the project now?
There are already lots of resources and materials available to support you. Check out the recruitment section of our website. You can also contact growth@girlguiding-scot.org.uk for a chat with a member of the Scottish team. You may also have a growth coordinator in your county who can offer local support.
Out and About Challenge 2025 – Up in the Air
This year’s challenge is all about looking up and things that fly.
Reach new heights this year, explore space with fizzy rockets, get creative in the clouds and navigate the night sky!
Up in the Air will have you discovering your zen underneath the trees, learning all about birds and butterflies, testing your bravery on a zip line and harnessing the power of the wind.
Take on our challenge and let your imagination take flight.
How does it work?
There are 2 sections for this badge:
- Outdoor activities
- Indoor activities
To get your badge, please complete 2 activities. At least 1 of the activities you complete should be from the outdoor activities section.
You can adapt the suggested activities to your local area, your unit and the abilities of your girls.
Don’t forget!
As always, please take note of the environmental and safety precautions, and remember to follow the relevant Girlguiding procedures. Check out the activity pack for more information.
We can’t wait to see what everyone gets up to! Share any posts on social media with us by tagging @GirlguidingScot and using #UpInTheAir2025
Download the challenge pack
Check out the activity pack for more information. You can download the plain text version here.
Get the Badge
Get your Up in the Air badge now!
Being a commissioner
Have an impact in your area
Commissioners are team leaders who play a vital role overseeing the volunteers in their area.
Commissioners help guiding in their area to thrive. They do this by supporting other volunteers day-to-day as well as driving forward a long-term vision for their area.
They work towards the same goal as all our volunteers do – helping girls know they can do anything!
Here’s what some commissioners had to say in our 2025 survey:
“It’s enjoyable to lead a team and work with a variety of units“
“(My highlight is) The amazing volunteers I get to meet and the girls who have had wonderful experiences because of them.“
Do it your way
Everyone brings something different to the role. Commissioners come from all sorts of backgrounds and everyone does the role in their own way.
Commissioners work as part of a team of volunteers. They can build a team around them to complement their own skills. For example:
- A commissioner who is less confident with managing finances can work with a treasurer.
- A commissioner who doesn’t enjoy organising events could recruit an assistant commissioner to support them with planning social events.
Read more from Heather about how she felt taking on the role of commissioner in her Division.
Develop your skills
Being a commissioner is a great way to develop leadership and management skills. Commissioners also develop communication skills, problem solving skills and decision-making skills. New commissioners can attend induction trainings and there are also trainings for all commissioners on topics that are important to the role.
“Since taking on the role, I have also gained experience in managing a team, delegation, and having difficult conversations. In fact, it was these experiences that helped me gain a promotion at work!“ Amanda, county commissioner.
Read more from Amanda about how her commissioner role has helped her develop her skills.
Get the support you need
We want commissioners to enjoy their role and be able to work effectively. We know it’s not always easy, so Girlguiding Scotland have a range of support on offer:
- Join our Facebook group for local commissioners to connect with others in the same role across Scotland.
- Take a look at our commissioner resource bank for help with your role.
- Attend an online commissioner training.
- Join us in person at Lead 2025 to develop your skills and meet with other commissioners. Anyone interested in developing their leadership skills can attend this event, not just commissioners.
Commissioner stories
Amanda’s story
Amanda’s story
Amanda’s story
Amanda’s story
Kincardine and Deeside county commissioner
For International Volunteer Managers Day 2024 we caught up with Amanda, Kincardine and Deeside county commissioner, to chat about how her experience as a county commissioner has furthered her career journey.
This page has been developed as part of the Transformational Leadership Project. Find out more about the project here and get in touch by emailing hello@girlguiding-scot.org.uk if you have any suggestions for how we can better support commissioners in Scotland.
Jobs at Girlguiding Scotland
Do you want to help empower girls and young women across Scotland?
We’re Scotland’s leading charity for girls and young women, helping 40,000 young members grow in confidence, have fun and realise their potential. Keep up to date on new job opportunities by following us on Instagram @GirlguidingScot or on Facebook. Check out our opportunities below…
Governance Coordinator
Join our governance and compliance team and help us to fulfil our charitable obligations as well as having the opportunity to build your skills in event management, communication, and good governance!