Hi, I’m Sarah the Queen’s Guide and Duke of Edinburgh’s award co-ordinator for Girlguiding Leeds. I’ve been a member of Girlguiding since I was a Brownie and been a Guide, Ranger, Young Leader and Guide leader, and I’m now a Ranger leader as well as an IT consultant.
I did my Queen’s Guide and DofE awards through Girlguiding, and both are fantastic opportunities. My biggest lesson learnt is that if you’re going to do both, do them together!
The Queen’s Guide award is the highest award you can work towards in Girlguiding. Although it is challenging, it’s achievable by anyone prepared to put in the effort. Through doing the award you will have the chance to develop your existing skills, learn new ones and have fun while contributing to both guiding and your wider community. Your achievement will be celebrated by Girlguiding locally and nationally and will look great on your CV. It’s open to Girlguiding members aged 16 to 25 and you have up to three years to complete it – but don’t worry, you can take a break if you need to.
Poppy Bell, who finished her Queen’s Guide award in late 2020 said:
‘Recently completing my Queen’s Guide award marked the end of a crazy three years filled with learning how to play rugby, accessibility surveys, a trip to London, completing my Going Away With license and many a unit meeting all while making friends across Girlguiding. My advice for anyone wanting to start the award is, definitely do- you’ll love it!’
The Duke of Edinburgh’s award doesn’t have to be done with Girlguiding but we are a licensed organisation so you can register through us. It is an internationally recognised programme available to 14 to 24 year-olds. Like the Queen’s Guide award, it is an opportunity to discover new interests and talents, gain essential life skills and have fun.
There are three levels available:
- Bronze – for 14 to 24 year-olds (or 13 and in the school year when you turn 14, so you don’t have to wait until your friends are 14). This level takes at least six months
- Silver – for 15 to 24 year-olds (or 14 and in the school year when you turn 15). The Silver award takes at least six months if you’ve completed Bronze, or twelve months as a direct entrant to Silver
- Gold – for 16 to 24 year-olds. This level takes at least twelve months if you’ve completed Silver, or at least eighteen months as a direct entrant to Gold
If you’re working towards both your Queen’s Guide and Gold DofE awards, some activities can be counted towards both – just make sure you meet all the requirements.
The most common question asked is ‘what about the expedition?’ Don’t let it put you off. It may be challenging (that’s the point of an impressive looking award), but it’s no longer just about walking a certain number of miles; it’s your award so you can make it your own.
Even with lockdown restrictions, both awards are still running. If you’re interested and want to find out more or are ready to get started, please get in touch.
Sarah
queensguide@girlguidingleeds.org.uk
