Girlguiding is the leading UK charity for girls and young women with over 559,996 members. It aims to build confidence and raise aspirations through fun activities. Between 2014-2016 it received grants from the Youth United Foundation to work with the National Citizen Service and implement a social action program. This involved training, residential activities, and engagement initiatives to attract new volunteers and members, especially through partnerships with NCS. Feedback showed increased confidence, leadership and social skills in participants. The program provided Girlguiding with new resources, volunteers and evidence on engaging youth in social action.

1. Girlguiding: growing young people
and the charity through social action
Working with YUF and NCS

2. We build girls’ confidence and raise their
aspirations. We give them the chance to
discover their full potential and encourage
them to be a powerful force for good. We
give them a space to have fun.
Girlguiding is the
leading charity for girls
and young women in the
UK, with over 559,996
Young members.

3. We have 100,000 amazing
volunteers, who contribute more
than 10 million hours to guiding
every year. Delivering over 30,000
guiding groups weekly around the
UK

4. Projects and funding
Between 2014 and 2016 Girlguiding received
two grants for:
• Youth United Journey Fund - NCS
• Uniformed Youth Social Action Fund
Both from the Youth United Foundation

5. Working with NCS
Methodology Activity
5 day mix of:
• Training
• Holiday Brownies
• Residential
• Taster sessions
• SA partners
• Graduation fairs
• Website sign-up

6. ‘Lead into guiding’ resource
• Created to engage with young
people – not just NCS
graduates
• All templates and tools to
work with NCS
• Also used for any new
volunteers
Rolling out in 3 areas nationally
in 2016

7. What the young people said
‘Definitely gaining valuable skills that
will help me massively in later life. But
also working with and with
people I wouldn’t normally talk to. And
planning activities thoroughly.’
‘Yes. I am definitely more
confident with my
abilities and what I am
capable of. I approach
tasks within my youth
groups I volunteer at and
college work with a more
positive attitude which I
am really pleased about.
‘Unique from
other
leadership
courses I’ve
attended.
Definitely
unforgettable.’
‘I think that I am now more adept at
handling people and taking up the role
of leader. I feel more capable of working
with different age groups.’

8. YUF survey results

9. Uniformed Youth Social Action Fund
• Across the whole UK
• 18 months
• 18 development workers
• 2000 girls, 183 units,
200 new volunteers
• Social action captured by Ipsos Mori
Allowed Girlguiding to trial a national model
for grassroots delivery

10. Our resources
• Social action story sheet – PR
and good practice
• Guide to social action
• Social action webpage

11. What has Girlguiding gained?
• New resources
• Insight into volunteering needs of young
people
• Evidence of importance of grassroots staff
• Expansion of social action concept
• More young leaders and members
• New adult volunteers
• Potential for further development funding