Numbers announced recently by Girlguiding UK show that one new member is joining every hour throughout the UK.

‘We are pleased to say this accurately reflects the trends in our County of Greater London West’ said County Commissioner Christine Wicks.

‘Our county, which covers the boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton has increased to over 6100 and shows just how popular Girlguiding is. The programmes are girl-led and therefore very relevant to today’s girls and they especially enjoy their ‘girl-only’ space where they can be themselves with their peers. As usual, the only thing stopping even more girls from joining is the need for even more volunteers to help run new units. All leaders are unpaid volunteers but their reward is in the enjoyment and fulfilment of working with the girls. Each year they carry out a vast number of exciting and adventurous activities and many go off to camp abroad.

Any adults, whether they have been previous members as a girl or not, are very welcome to join us, full training and support will be provided and the enjoyment of being part of the UK’s largest youth organisation will soon become infectious, as they will join other leaders from all walks of life with a variety of skills and interests’.

Girlguiding UK is the UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with 538, 247 members and recognised volunteers. Over a third of girls and young women (aged 7–21) in the UK are involved in guiding, or have been in the past. We run Rainbows (5–7 years), Brownies (7–10 years), Guides (10–14 years) and Senior Section (14–25 years), enabling girls and young women to develop their potential whatever their ability or background. We are striving to offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of communities through our expanding network of more than 63,000 trained volunteer Leaders.

Interesting fact: Over a third of girls and young women aged seven to 21 in the UK are involved in guiding, or have been in the past. That includes some famous faces such as Pixie Lott, Kate Silverton, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, JK Rowling, Davina McCall and Dame Kelly Holmes. If you would like to know more, please contact www.girlguiding.org.uk ‘ Based on information supplied by Steve Wicks.