Sorry it’s been so
long, faithful readers. I know what
you’re thinking - an update on Chislehurst Division’s massive project to open
new Rainbow units is well overdue – what on earth is going on?! Work with me
here – just because you haven’t had an update, doesn’t mean that nothing has
been happening. Au contraire.
The last blog was
cheekily entitled ‘Reasons to not volunteer’, and was written more than two months
ago! A lot can happen in two months. And
it has.
On June 1st
2015, 3rd Chislehurst Rainbows opened on Monday evenings at Christ
Church Chislehurst. Run by one qualified
Girlguiding Leader, one very-nearly qualified Girlguiding Leader, 2 Young
Leaders and 3 Rainbow Helpers who are Guides, the team quickly gained two keen
parents who are happy to help each week.
By week 3, we had more than 20 Rainbows, many of whom had sat on
waiting-to-join lists for some years. When we go back in Sept, we will have even more Rainbows - safely taken off waiting-to-join lists and put into new units.
Meanwhile, over in Petts Wood District, the other half of Chislehurst Division, the brand new 9th
Petts Wood Rainbows was evolving, thanks to an existing Qualified Leader and a Unit Helper. It
opened on June 5th and is already thriving, with a number of girls
due to join in Sept.
But, there are still
alarming numbers of girls waiting-to-join Rainbow units in Petts Wood and
whilst one unit has opened and is thriving, there is scope for at least two
more Rainbow units.
I know what you’re
thinking – why don’t you open another two units then?!
Whilst many people
are happy to help out with Rainbow meetings in Petts Wood once a month, we have
as yet been unable to find enough people who want to and are able to commit to helping
out every week and considering working towards the Leadership Qualification. Whilst the scoping
exercise showed that there are plenty of girls wanting to join Rainbows and
venues to accommodate them, we cannot yet progress the growth plan until we
have more volunteers.
So my challenge to
you is this – help us to find these people! Help us to find people who want to
work with this exciting group, girls age 5 – 7; people who are available early
evening on Mondays or Wednesdays, in Petts Wood; people who want to enable
girls to reach their potential by starting them on their Guiding journey;
people who are looking for experience of working with children, perhaps for a
future career, such as teaching or being a classroom assistant, or an instructor;
people who are looking for a new hobby.
Some people have a
horse, or go climbing – why not make Guiding your hobby?
Watch this video to find
out more about Guiding. Why not share it
on Facebook? In fact, why not share this blog? Why not follow us on Twitter? Help us to spread the word. Change lives.
If you know of places where we could advertise for volunteers - places to put posters, groups we could flyer - etc. please get in touch!
What else has been
happening in Chislehurst Division? Our initial call for volunteers a few months
ago yielded a qualified Rainbow Leader who had just settled back in Chislehurst,
after three years away at university.
Along with a new Unit Helper who has come forward, and a Young Leader or
two, the brand new ‘2nd Chislehurst Rainbows’ is opening at St Nick’s
Village Hall, Church Lane in September! Now, this unit has plenty of places at
the moment and everyone waiting-to-join the Petts Wood units has been e-mailed
about the three new units. So if you’re
after a Rainbow unit for your daughter or someone known to you who is Rainbow
age (5-7), go to https://enquiryym.girlguiding.org.uk/
and choose ‘2nd Chislehurst Rainbows’. Please tell your friends – I’ve told both of
mine.
We are also
delighted to welcome some new volunteers into the Division who are going to
help with existing units, to enable them to build their capacity and continue to deliver good Guiding. There is always room for more volunteers.
Now is a very
exciting time to get involved with Girlguiding.
The strategic plan, ‘Being Our Best’ is now out there and in motion: by 2020, we will empower more girls to find their
voice and be their best through high-quality, girl-led programmes delivered by
inspirational leaders. Read more here.
Girlguiding is not
just another after-school activity – Girlguiding helps girls to develop their
potential and contribute to their community.
Why would you not want to get involved?! Feel free to e-mail ChislehurstDivisionGrowGuiding@gmail.com or call / message 07748 503689.