Are you a girl aged between 4 and 18 years old? Do you know someone who is? If so, you have the unique opportunity to become a part of the incredible network of women and girls in Consett working towards bettering themselves and their community through Girlguiding. 

 

Girguiding began in 1910 through the work of Baron Robert Baden-Powell and his sister Agnes Baden-Powell after the demands from countless intrepid girls across the UK. These girls sought an extracurricular activity for young women to enjoy, as being a Scout was a chance only offered to boys. 

Since then, Girlguiding has expanded internationally and now involves over 10 million women across 152 different countries. In the UK alone, there are around 300,000 guides, which clearly demonstrates how impactful Girlguiding has been on the lives of so many people over the past century. 

Girlguiding is split into 4 different age groups; Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

After a girl ages past being a Ranger, she may choose to continue to be a part of the community through becoming a Leader, which she may have already begun to do as a ‘Young Leader’ whilst still being under 18. This can be done through volunteering to assist Leaders with groups of younger children, such as Rainbows or Brownies. 

Leaders run the groups (known as ‘units’) of girls in the program, and consistently strive to give the girls the best opportunities they can provide.  

The presence of Girlguiding in Consett has developed in recent years, now with multiple units available to provide young women and girls in Consett and Delves Lane with support and a wide variety of interesting and exciting activities. The key aim of these groups is to help girls to connect with others their age while doing something they enjoy. 

These units meet during term time on a night after school and frequent residential visits are also held, during which Guides can spend a night or weekend with their fellow guides away from home, partaking in activities ranging from playing board games to toasting marshmallows. 

Activities units frequently partake in include arts and crafts, with many groups contributing towards events like Remembrance Day or World Thinking Day (which is an event celebrating the history of Girlguiding). 

Furthermore, practical skills such as cooking, car maintenance and first aid have been taught in Consett Girlguiding in the past, in order to better prepare the Guides and Rangers for later life. 

Sessions involving mindfulness and yoga have been enjoyed by many girls in the past as part of an effort to combat exam stress by Girlguiding leaders in Consett.

On top of this, Guides are encouraged by their Leaders and units to have a positive impact locally, nationally and even internationally through taking part in large-scale Guiding community events. Helping others and serving the community is a key component of the Guide Promise, which is the code every Guide aims to live by in order to be the best version of themself.