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Matilda’s our new Lead Volunteer for Communications!

We’re excited to welcome Matilda, leader and former Youth Worker of the Year award winner (at the National Youth Work Awards in 2018), on board as our new lead volunteer for Communications!

09.12.20

We caught up with her to get to know her better and find out more about her plans to spread the word about how great guiding is…

Q. Tell us about your Girlguiding journey so far…

A. I went on my first camp as a baby with my Brown Owl mum and was in Rainbows through to Rangers in Warwickshire, where I grew up. I became a Brownie leader and was a District Commissioner while studying at university in Glasgow. I’m now the leader for Isle of Harris Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, having re-started the units in 2015 after there had been no Girlguiding on the island for over twenty years.

Q. What made you want to become a volunteer?

A. Girlguiding gave me fantastic experiences and skills as a young person – why wouldn’t I want to continue as an adult? My Grandma was Brown Owl before my mum so the Girlguiding passion runs in the family.

Q. What does being part of Girlguiding mean to you?

A. Being on an adventure with phenomenal girls and women all around the country, using our voices to influence change in our communities. I love sharing the same values with Girlguiding sisters all around the world.

Q. Have you been able to keep guiding going during lockdown and with the current tier system in place?

A. We have focussed on challenges everyone can do outdoors and at home, including raising money for Children in Need and Girlguiding. It has been heart-warming to see the ‘good turns’ our members have been doing in their communities during such challenging times – our Guiding light needs to shine brighter than ever at the moment.

Q. What’s your happiest volunteer memory?

A. Arriving at Our Chalet in Switzerland with my Guides and Rangers on the first ever Harris international trip. It was a week full of adventure, friendship and wonder – the place felt like our home.

Q. What made you decide to go for the Communications lead volunteer role?

A. I hoped I could do a good job sharing my enthusiasm for Girlguiding and it always helps when others say they think you can do a good job too – encouraging our Girlguiding sisters is very important.

Q. What are your plans for the role and what are you most excited about?

A. I’m looking forward to being part of the national team and learning new skills, in the hope that I can provide something of value as well. I love sharing Girlguiding Scotland’s story and I’d like to help others do the same – everyone should hear how brilliant our organisation is!

Find out more

Get more information on who the other lead volunteers are and the overall structure of Girlguiding Scotland here!