Useful Links (Volunteers)

Are there any groups that can help give me advice and ideas?

Yes there are a number of different facebook groups that can help including:

• Girlguiding Oxfordshire
• We Love GirlGuiding UK
• Girlguiding Rainbow Leader Support Group (United Kingdom)
• Girlguiding Brownie Leader Support Group (United Kingdom)
• Girlguiding Guide Leader Support Group (United Kingdom)
• Girlguiding Rangers Leader Support Group (United Kingdom)
• Lone Guiding – Support Group For Girlguiding Leaders Working with Lones
• Girlguiding Unofficial Challenge Badges (For Leaders)
• + lots more!

Where do I find unit forms?

Forms and documents you’ll need for running your unit can be found here.

Where can I find second hand uniform?

Second hand uniforms can be found on different selling sites such as ebay, facebook marketplace and more. There is a dedicated facebook group for second hand uniform called ‘UK Unoffical Girlguiding 2nd Hand Uniform Swop/buy/sell’. In addition, other useful groups ‘Girlguiding Buy, Sell or Swap (for Leaders) and ‘GirlGuiding Oxfordshire Buy, Sell or Swop group’.

Where do I find information about unit accounts?

Guidance on handling money, managing accounts and end-of-year reviews can be found here.

Girlguiding unit account pack can be found here. Also additional finance tips can be found below.

Where do I find information about Girlguiding subscription rates?

Every year, Girlguiding collects an annual subscription – historically referred to as ‘census’ – to run our charity at a national level. Countries and regions, counties, districts and divisions will add an additional fee to this – called a ‘levy’ – to support guiding in their local area. This annual subscription is paid by both volunteers and girls.

The annual subscription amount set by HQ in 2022 will be £21 per member. In 2023 it will be £28.

Anglia region rate is £10 per member and Oxfordshire county rate is £5.50 per member for 2022.

Key dates for Girlguiding subscription can be found here.

Is there any financial support?

County Hardship Fund (COVID-19):

As discussed and agreed last year, the County together with the help from Anglia Region,  has a ‘pot’ of money available to help units, Districts or Divisions who require financial assistance as a result of loss of income due to the Coronavirus pandemic. You can apply for funds to help with the annual subscription, rent or even resources. Please see the attached application form which will need to be completed and signed by the unit leader and District or Division Commissioner and sent to the County Commissioner with a copy of the latest bank balance (bank statement or online print) and last set of unit accounts. Money will be paid directly into the bank account of the unit, District or Division.

Girlguiding national:

If your unit is in an area of deprivation, you can apply for the UK units in need grant. This can help with buying small items of equipment, resources and uniform, which can free up funds to help with subs. Remember that you can’t use this grant to pay for subs.

Units can also apply for £200 in funding from a unit recovery grant. This grant is for units who have been particularly affected by Covid-19 and can be used to help cover the cost of subscriptions.

Also, keep a lookout for alternative sources of funding and other local grants. There might be opportunities from local councils, other charities, or large businesses like banks and supermarkets. Speak with your commissioner to find out what may be available in your local area. More information can be found here.

I have a County expense how do I claim it?

Please use the form to submit an expense claim to the County Treasurer and send to finance@oxfordshiregirlguiding.org.uk

Where do I find information about gift aid?

Gift Aid is a great way to bring in additional income to your unit – you can get an extra 25p for every £1 you receive in subs. More information can be found here.

How do I nominate a volunteer for an award or recognition?

Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of members and recognised volunteers in your team. More information on awards can be found here and don’t forget to contact your local and county commissioner.

Where do I find information about the Girlguiding programme?

There are a range of training options to learn all about delivering the Girlguiding programme.

Who do I contact to get the Bronze, Sliver, Gold Awards and county badges?

Contact the county badge secretary

What activities can I do with my unit?

Girlguiding has put together an activity tool to find activities for your unit. There is also the badge finder.

There are some prohibited activities which are listed here.

Who can complete the Young Leader qualification and where do I find it?

The Young Leader qualification (YLQ) is designed to help you take an active, positive part in running a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide unit. It is open to anyone in guiding aged 14 to 18.

Once completed, contact your local commissioner.

How can I help other volunteers learn?

If you have an existing Girlguiding qualification, you can help others through mentoring. And if you’ve more time to give, you could support the learning and development of our volunteers by joining our amazing team of Trainers. More information can be found here.

How do I recruit new girls into my unit/district?

Girlguiding Oxfordshire regularly posts recruitment social media posts on our platforms (Facebook and Instagram), one great way is to share these posts in local groups and amongst friends.

Other places to advertise and ideas to recruit include:

• Social media local groups
• Local magazines and newspaper
• Local notice boards
• School newsletter
• Hold bring a friend evening
• Taster session
• Leaflets
• Include leaflets in new housing

You can create your own poster and one great tool for this is Canva. Likewise great Girlguiding illustrations can be found in the Facebook group called ‘Lisa’s Guiding Illustrations’ and Girlguiding clipart images can be found here. Poster’s for each section can be found here.

Girlguiding advice on recruiting new girls can be found here and resources can be found here.

How do I recruit new volunteers?

Girlguiding Oxfordshire regularly posts recruitment social media posts on our platforms (Facebook and Instagram), one great way is to share these posts in local groups and amongst friends.

Other places to advertise and ideas to recruit include:

• Social media local groups
• Local magazines and newspaper
• Local notice boards
• School newsletter
• Hold bring a friend evening
• Taster session
• Leaflets
• Include leaflets in new housing

You can create your own poster and one great tool for this is Canva. Likewise great Girlguiding illustrations can be found in the Facebook group called ‘Lisa’s Guiding Illustrations’ and Girlguiding clipart images can be found here. Poster’s for each section and volunteers can be found here.

Girlguiding advice on recruiting new girls can be found here and resources can be found here.

Girlguiding advice on recruiting new volunteers can be found here and resources can be found here.

There is also a resource pack that has been put together to help you recruit young people into guiding as volunteers and potential leaders.

Are there other qualifications/training schemes I can take part in?

Yes there are lots of opportunities in Girlguiding here are a few examples:

• Canoeing and kayaking training
• Climbing scheme
• Walking scheme
• Rowing training scheme
• Narrowing Boating scheme
• Girlguiding Catering scheme
• Find out more here

How do I find out about County/Region trips and events?

What can I share and post on social media?

Girlguiding digital safeguarding can be found here.

Points include (please read the policy first above!)

• Ensure the correct permissions are in place before taking and using photographs on mobile devices.
• Delete pictures after the event and in accordance with the digital safeguarding procedures.
• Make sure that they have parent or carer permissions before contacting any girl or young member under 14 years of age, even if they’ve contacted you first.
• Make every effort to ensure that girls and young members understand why and how they must use social media responsibly and safely using the relevant privacy settings.
• Recognise that digital safeguarding is an important part of all our work, and that we are committed to always delivering best practice.

How do I share news and events with the county?

You can start working towards your Leadership qualification when you are 16. However, you can only become a leader once you are 18. While working towards your Leadership qualification you will be referred to as a leader in training.

How do I start my leadership qualification?

Speak to your local commissioner or unit leader to find out more. If you decide to take on the qualification, they will assign you a mentor to guide you through the process.

Who do I contact to get a leadership book?

Once you have agreed with your Commissioner that you will start the Leadership qualification, she will change your role on GO to “Leader in Training” and she will then complete the LQ pack request form, (click HERE to download the form) and send it to the County LQ Coordinator. The coordinator enters the LQ as “in progress” on GO and issues the pack.

How do I get my qualification?

The Leader in Training will cover most of the parts of the qualification in normal weekly meetings.  In addition there is a requirement to do some training, for example First Aid and Safe space.  The mentor will keep in touch with the Leader in Training, and meet periodically to check progress, answer questions and offer support.  When all of the sections have been completed, the completed LQ book is sent to one of the County LQ verifiers for checking, before the qualification is awarded.

We encourage all of our volunteers to complete first aid training to ensure that Girlguiding members are kept as safe as possible when they are in our care. All county first aid course dates can be found on our events page here.

Girlguiding First Aid Training FAQS
Accepted First Aid Qualifications

Is there a mental health training?

Yes there is a mental health e-learning course that takes 35 mins to complete. More information can be found here

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Because we know that when girls feel safe, they feel brave enough to do things they never thought they could.

Information on Safe Space training can be found here. All volunteers must complete A Safe Space level 1. 

A Safe space level 2

A Safe space level 3 training events can be found on our event page or Girlguiding Anglia.

The Going Away With Scheme is a resource for all adults within guiding who have completed the Leadership Qualification and wish to gain a qualification to be able to take their girls away on residentials.

Where can I find information on starting the Going Away with Scheme and planning a residential event?

Going Away with Guiding book (6045) and Going Away with Scheme (order code 6478) can be purchased at the Girlguiding shop.

In addition, use the online Guiding manual (remember to check the manual each time you plan an event as updates occur on a regular basis)

What events can I take my girls to, if I don’t have a licence?

There are a number of national events which you can go to for all sections, have a look at the events page.

Events include:

• Wellies and wristbands
• Sparkle and Ice
• Magic and Mayhem
• Fearless fun

Volunteers are welcome for all national events. Our nearest centre is Foxlease.

Where can I go if I have or am working towards my Going Away with Licence?

There is a lot of choice! Speak to other leaders in your district and division for ideas.

Check the list on the Girlguiding Oxfordshire website for a list of local venues in our county .

Where do I find all the forms?

• The residential event notification (REN) form, consent and health forms can all be found on the  Girlguiding website at this link.
• On the same page, you can also find the Notification of accident or incident form; you should print a copy and take it with you.
• The risk assessment form can be found on the Girlguiding website using this link here.

Information about insurance can be found on the Girlguiding website using this link here

Where can I take my unit in Oxfordshire?

There are multiple locations across Oxfordshire. Full list is here:

Campsites:

• Crays pond Scout hut
• Beanwood
• Horley Scout camp
• SOAP
• Jubilee House
• Shiplake Scout hut

Indoor accommodation:

• Thame Guide HQ
• Goring Heath Parish Hall
• Shipton on Cherwell Village Hall
• Aston Tirrold Village Hall
• Littlemore Village hall
• The old school community centre
• Headington- 48th Guide Hall
• Crowmarsh Gifford, Village Hall
• Snells Hall
• Long Furlong Community Centre
• Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall
• Dean Court Community Centre
• Blewbury Pavillion
• Nettlebed Community Hall
• Wovercote Scout Hut
• Chinnor Church Hall
• Kidlington Guide Centre
• Christ Church – Corner Suite
• Thame Guide HQ
• Goring Heath Parish Hall
• Shipton on Cherwell Village Hall
• Littlemore Village Hall
• Aston Tirrod Village Hall