Girlguiding is always looking at ways that we can support the young members across our programmes. We’re so proud of our volunteers as they work tirelessly to make it happen for their units, their division and our county. It takes a special person to give time to a charitable organisation, and we are incredibly lucky to have so many of these very special people in our County! But we are victims of our own success. There is still so many kids on our waiting lists and we’re always looking for more incredible volunteers.
This past month, our Crown Park Division has been busy doing just this! Our division commissioner Janet Norfolk, Nicky Clark from 3rd Middleton and her 2 guiding daughters , Hollie (6) and Malissa (13), and Harriet from 51st Leeds (Hunslet) Guides attended the Middleton Railway Community Day to promote GG Leeds in the hope of recruiting some more, much needed volunteers. Big THANK YOU to this bunch of super stars!
We spoke to lots of different people including members of the public, all the ward councillors for the area from 3 different political parties, to make them aware of our presence in the area and to find information which may be beneficial to us in recruiting volunteers. We also spoke to Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn and the Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Al Garthwaithe.
Jeremy Morton, local journalist from South Leeds Life (free local news paper distributed right across area aswell as online) was very interested in us and has agreed to write an article specifically about GG in the crown park area to help promote local units and call out to potential volunteers. The day was also an opportunity to network with other community groups in the Crown Park area and see what else is available in the area in the hope of providing new opportunities for the girls in our units and to see who else could help us in recruiting new members.
The Yorkshire Evening Post were also in attendance to cover the event as a whole and took photos (with permission) of our stand and the Rainbow and Guide who came to help on the day.
The event was well attended by members of the public who came to see the railway and enjoy the free steam train rides on offer for the day. We gave out lots of postcards, sweets and chatterboxes to the passing crowds. Postcards were also given to other local community groups to display in their relevant locations in their notice boards and display units to ensure we spread the word across the division about GG.
If you see a postcard, or a pin, or a badge, or a volunteer in uniform, reach out! We need help not only with units, but with planning, finances, building, fixing, cleaning and all sorts! Come join this incredbile group of really great people.
