Social action at Girlguiding

What does ‘social action’ mean for us?

In Girlguiding we have always described the practical actions that our girls do to help other people as ‘community service’ or ‘community action’. ‘Social action’ is the term being used by the government, the voluntary sector, the funding community and the Step Up To Serve’s #iwill campaign to encourage more young people in the UK to take action to help others. We want girls in guiding to feel part of this bigger picture.

#iwill is a UK-wide campaign helping more young people make a difference in their communities through social action, including activities like campaigning, fundraising and volunteering. Many business, education and voluntary sector partners – including Girlguiding - have pledged to spread the word about the benefits of social action and create more opportunities for young people to get involved.

Social action in everyday guiding

At regular meetings and special events, our girls and volunteers take part in youth social action through our programme of activities for girls of all ages. Here are some examples:

The values of our Promise and Law

Social action is about helping other people, doing community action and preparing girls and young women to be a powerful force for good. Our girls and volunteers share these values too and they are the basis of the Girlguiding Promise and Law.

P Rainbows promise to be kind and helpful.

P A Brownie thinks of others before herself and does a Good Turn every day.

P Guides, members of The Senior Section and adults promise to serve the community and help other people.

Social action is about taking practical action in the service of others to make a positive difference. Girls in Girlguiding take practical action to help other people and give something back.

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Fundraising

P Girls decide which charity they want to support and organise a fundraising activity.

P Guiding groups collect sponsorship for an action, for example a sponsored walk to help their unit grow so more girls can join.

‘Rainbows, Brownies and Guides organised a Teddy Bears’ Picnic fundraising evening for Bethany’s Wish Charity, which aims to raise awareness, fund research and support families affected by Wilms’ tumour.’

Volunteering and community action

P Guiding groups take part in a local environmental project, help with a local event or appeal, or set up a coffee morning for their community.

P Girls volunteer to help run units as Young Leaders or volunteer for other charities they care about.

P Young women support community projects in other countries as part of Guiding Overseas Linked with Development (GOLD).

‘Our Rainbows went along with their Leaders to participate in the Spring clean-up and planting event as part of an ongoing project to support the activities of the Friends of Cambuslang Park.’

City of Coventry South Rainbows, Brownies and Guides

2nd Cambuslang Rainbows

CASE STUDY 1

3rd Pontardawe Guides supported the local ‘Heart of the Valley Show’. They carried out marshalling duties and litter picked in the showground throughout the event enabling over 600 members of the public to enjoy the show.

We have grouped social action up into four themes: P Volunteering and community actionP FundraisingP Peer education and supportP Using your voice

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CASE STUDY 2

4th Rochester Rainbows created a beautiful Rainbow Garden for their local community. They planted colourful bulbs in their local community garden, learnt about their environment and made bug hotels for the local wildlife.

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Peer education and support

P Young women volunteer to train as Peer Educators and then support others to learn about issues, for example body image.

P Girls in guiding offer their peers support through being a Mentor or Leader in their group.

‘We joined our local youth group for young people with disabilities and had an adventure play. We held a sponsored walk and raised over £100 to help fund a swim session for the group. We have invited the group to a Brownie meeting.’

1st Yorkley Brownies

Using your voice

P Girls in guiding speak out on social media, in the press and to peers and decision-makers to raise awareness of issues that are important to girls.

P Girls use the confidence and skills they learn through guiding to advocate for positive change in their lives and the lives of others.

‘A group of Girlguiding Scotland members from Westwood, East Kilbride, met their local MP to tell him about the issues facing girls and young women and Girlguiding’s Girls Matter campaign.’

CASE STUDY 4

1st Cullybackey Senior Section raised money for BraveheartsNI, a charity supporting the needs of teenagers and young adults with congenital heart disease. The group organised and ran a bake sale. They made the cakes and designed posters to raise awareness of the charity. They worked really hard as a team and are already talking about the next fundraiser.

CASE STUDY 5

Paulton 2nd Brownies started an initiative to send care bags to child refugees working together with a local refugee support charity RAISE Somerset. It turned into a county-wide initiative in a matter of days.

Westwood Guide and Senior Section groups

CASE STUDY 3

After spending a unit meeting discussing education 206th Liverpool Senior Section decided to write to their MP to highlight the need for more work experience opportunities and a wider scope of careers advice for young people. They visited their local MP to discuss their ideas and as a result became involved in a local mental health awareness project.

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© Girlguiding 2017 www.girlguiding.org.uk Registered charity number 306016.

Where can we use your story? On our website and on social media mIn the press – including magazines, newspapers and online publications mSend this info to your local CPRA, Region Office or Girlguiding (YourVoice@girlguiding.org.uk)

Social action story

Contact name and membership number (if known):

Your guiding role:

Girlguiding unit or area name:

Contact email or number:

What did you do?

When did you do it?

Name of other organisations involved (if relevant):

Who did this social action benefit and how?

What were the benefits for girls and volunteers?

Girls’ comments – please include first name and age of girls who comment:

What did you like best about the event?

What have you learned by taking part?

We would love to share your amazing social action stories – in guiding magazine, in the press, online and on promotional materials – so that Girlguiding members of all ages, potential members and potential supporters can be inspired by everything you’ve done. Share your story with us: