Description
The role will help give girls opportunities for fun, friendship, challenge and adventure! Girlguiding's unit helpers usually work with other volunteers to assist in delivering a high-quality programme to the girls and young women in the unit, while ensuring the safety of the unit members. Unit helpers assist the unit leadership team in running units (groups) of Rainbows (age 4-7), Brownies (age 7-10), Guides (age 10-14), and Rangers (age 14-18). You will be part of a Leadership Team that includes at least one unit leader, assistant leaders and possibly also young leaders and other unit helpers.
What is the purpose of this role?
To help give girls opportunities for fun, friendship, challenge and adventure! Occasional Helpers usually work with other volunteers to assist in delivering a high-quality programme to the girls and young women in the unit, while ensuring the safety of the unit members. Helpers assist in running units (groups) of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers on a regular or ad-hoc basis. You will be supported by at least one Unit Leader, Assistant Leaders, Young Leaders and other Unit Helpers and Occasional Helpers.
What will I do as a unit helper?
The responsibilities below will be shared among the Unit Leadership Team. As a helper you will work with others in the team to make the most of the skills and time you are able to give.
- Provide a safe girl-only space where girls and young women can discover their full potential.
- Provide support to members of the unit and the Unit Leadership Team.
- Take an active role in creating and delivering an accessible and inclusive programme, based on the Girlguiding programme for your section.
- Encourage and support the members of the unit in making decisions within the unit and the wider Girlguiding community.
- Develop and maintain clear communications with the Unit Leader and other members of the
Leadership Team. - Maintain clear communication with parents and carers.
- Be willing to participate in any relevant ‘on-the-job’ training for the role.
- Comply with current Girlguiding policies and regulations.
Helpers are key in supporting girls and young women to experience how great Girlguiding can be. While we can offer you support in your role we would expect you to possess the personal qualities outlined below.
- An open and approachable manner.
- Reliable and trustworthy.
- Creative and enthusiastic.
- Committed to ongoing personal development.
- Fun-loving.
- A sense of humour.
- Enjoys working with young people.
Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. We are flexible, and volunteering can be arranged to fit around a busy lifestyle.
Our units are currently meeting online and/ or outdoors. This autumn we anticipate that units will also return to indoor guiding but the situation will differ from area to area, following Scottish Government advice and regulations. When you register interest, we'll chat to you about whether you are interested in supporting units face to face (indoors or outdoors) or remotely (whether as part of online guiding or by supporting other ways of staying in touch remotely)
Organisation aims and objectives
Girlguiding Scotland exists to help girls find their voice and build skills and confidence - inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and empower them to make a positive difference in their community. We’re 40,000 girls from 4 to 18 who come together to laugh, learn, explore and have adventures. We’re 9,000 volunteers who make guiding happen by giving our time, talents, enthusiasm and care for girls. We’re 3,000 local groups having fun and exploring activities week in, week out all over Scotland. We’re her first night away, weekend camping adventures, summer music festivals, emails to her MSP about the things she cares about. We’re the badges she collects to capture the journey she’s chosen – anything from mindfulness to rock-climbing to crafting to coding. We’re a powerful collective voice – by girls, for girls – changing the world for the better.
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Frequency and commitment details
Our units typically meet weekly or fortnightly but if this feels like too much commitment, you could choose to join a unit rota or take on an occasional helper role.
Restrictions
Any adult aged 18 or over can be a Unit Helper. They need to be, or must be willing to become,
a member of Girlguiding. As this role works directly with young people, you will be required to
Experience required: You do not have to have any prior experience of Girlguiding to volunteer with us and we'll provide you with ongoing training opportunities and the support you need to feel confident in your role.
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Taster available: Yes
Taster details: After registering your interest through our online form, you'll be invited to meet with a local volunteer or attend a welcome meeting. You'll have the opportunity to discuss your expectations and find out more about us. You can also visit different units to see our volunteers in action before making any further commitment.
Training details: We'll help you to develop skills and abilities to perform the role by providing ‘on-the-job’
training opportunities.