Adults in Guiding

Adults

Adult membership of Girlguiding UK is voluntary and open to application from women and men aged 18 years and over regardless of faith, race, culture, nationality or any other circumstance.

There are many ways in which an adult can support guiding, the most common roles are as a Guider or Unit Helper, working in a unit directly with the girls and young women; there are more details about these below.  Adults also support guiding as

 

  • Commissioners, maintaining and developing guiding in an area.
  • Advisers, Coordinators and Trainers, supporting the effective delivery of the programme.
  • Treasurers, Secretaries and badge testers, supporting the local administration of guiding.
  • Members of groups providing a local support network, such as a fundraising committee, Friends of Guiding group, Student Scout and Guide Organisation or The Trefoil Guild.

 

    Men are welcomed as supporters of guiding in roles such as Unit Helpers, Advisers, Coordinators, Treasurers, Secretaries and Administrators.

    In addition, those who would like to support guiding as an adult member, but don't feel they currently have the time or opportunity to volunteer can keep in touch with guiding by applying for adult membership.  This may include volunteers whose personal circumstances change making it difficult to give their time, students, parents of members and partners of volunteers.

    All adults who volunteer to support guiding in any role will be required to give referees and undertake a Disclosure Scotland check.

     

    Guiders

    Guiders are female, adult leaders aged 18 to 65 who work with a group of girls (known as a unit) on a regular basis - usually weekly.  Guiders must be willing to support the aims of Girlguiding UK and to abide by its policy and rules. Guiders must also make or renew the Guide Promise.  They wear uniform appropriate to the occasion or activity.

    Guiders undertake training in the form of Girlguiding UK’s Leadership Qualification, this comprises of four modules designed to help leaders to acquire the skills that they need to offer guiding to the girls in their unit.  Full details of the Leadership Qualification can be found here.

     

    Unit Helpers

    Unit Helpers may be males or females aged 18 to 65.  They work alongside Guiders in a unit but in a more informal role.  Unit Helpers must be willing to support the aims of Girlguiding UK and to abide by its policy and rules, but it is not necessary for them to make the Guide Promise and they do not wear uniform.  Unit Helpers are not required to undertake training.

     

    Further Information

    You can find out more about volunteering and the opportunities available within Girlguiding on the Girlguiding UK website here.