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The Bailiwick's Girlguides need more support from volunteers to give even more youngsters the opportunity to benefit from what the organisation has to offer.
They also need support with funding though, with the Bailiwick Commissioner and other senior leaders looking for ways of developing sustainable funding to see them through 2025 and beyond.
Colette Merrien said those are her two main priorities for this year.
She said they have a lot planned after the successes of 2024 which saw the local Girlguides mark an important anniversary.
"Girlguiding Guernsey helps all girls know that they can do anything," said Ms Merrien, adding "we provide a safe space for them to try new experiences, learn new skills, build their confidence, make new friends and have fun!"
Those involved achieved all that and more during 2024 with a focus on celebrating the 200th anniversary of guiding at the heart of some of their events.
In February, the Region Roadshow, took place.
It was "generously hosted by South West Region" said Ms Merrien, and it saw "300 girls and leaders take over St Pierre Park".
Pictured: Members of the Girlguiding family at the Region Roadshow in February 2024.
"The morning was open to external guests and leaders with one of our Region Ambassadors, Mandy Hickson, a former RAF fast-jet pilot who was the first woman to fly the tornado on the frontline," she explained.
"After lunch Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers came together to celebrate World Thinking Day taking part in activities from the World Thinking Day Region resource."
Other highlights during the year saw a wet but hugely enjoyable camp take place.
"In July, an Island Guide camp was held, the first since covid hit," recalled Ms Merrien.
"Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side but it didn’t stop the fun!
"The camp was based on GLOW 24, a Region Camp, and included a fabulous camp fire, glow in the dark activities, up-cycling, breakfast in the rain and finished with the Randall Cup where the girls had to travel the world and take part in activities based on that country."
Resilience is one skill encouraged by Girlguiding and the campers showed they had it!
Pictured: A trip to see the St Peter Port Lifeboat was arranged for the Rainbows.
Further events followed, in association with the national organisation.
"Girlguiding South West England, in partnership with the RNLI, produced a resource 'MayDay MayDay' to celebrate their 200 anniversary," said Ms Merrien.
"It was aimed to build members' confidence in and around the water and many units visited our local RNLI and had the opportunity to go on board the lifeboat, try on equipment and learn life saving skills. This was hugely successful thanks to the RNLI for their support."
"Funding and lack of volunteers is always our biggest challenge," acknowledged Ms Merrien, with Girlguiding Guernsey joining numerous other organisations facing the same problems.
"We do have a Friends of Guiding group that hold quiz and bingo nights that provides invaluable financial support for the girls but other than that we rely on membership fees and appreciate the kind donations from local finance corporations or support from local businesses," she said.
Volunteers are responsible for running local Girlguiding groups and there is more information on the website HERE.
As weekly meetings resumed this week after the Christmas and New Year break, the Bailiwick's Girlguides are also looking forward to the events and challenges planned for them throughout this year.
Ms Merrien said those events rely on funding with plans to look at different ways of raising the money needed.
She also hopes to sign up some additional volunteers!
"We continue to look for some form of sustainable funding so that we can support our leaders with training opportunities and travel costs for girls and adults when they have been selected for international opportunities as this builds their confidence and helps us to achieve our goal in helping these girls and young women know they can do anything," said Ms Merrien.
Pictured: More adults are need to support the scheme.
"We would also like to have more helpers to enable us to give even more girls the chance to enjoy our full programme including outdoor activities and residential experiences. It really is rewarding and there are many ways you can support us. Maybe you could help at a unit, help girls with activities indoors and outdoors, support leaders when taking girls on trips, help manage their finances, teach a new craft or activity. Any help can make a difference so if you think you could spare some time and fun along the way please contact us ggguernseyenquiries@gmail.com or for further information please visit girlguiding.org.uk.
Pictured top and above: All images supplied.
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