One of our key objectives this year has been to try and find places for all those on our waiting lists. As a division, we decided that a great way to get started was to open a new Rainbow unit! Starting a new unit is a big endeavour and finding the right resources to make it happen is key to its success. Luckily we had have some amazing people across our division. One of our commissioners had some time to commit to administration, while another set out to recruit leaders & volunteers. Our 3rd commissioner got ready to provided hands on training and support to the leadership team as it formed formed. We found a venue and a time that nicely aligned with Brownies & Guides to ensure continuity of Guiding journey for young members. We got the unit underway in the fall of this year.
Within the first few weeks of launching, we managed recruit 2 previous Girlguiding members as young leaders and we found a new volunteer to Guiding to be a Unit Helper. After a little bit of advertising and contacting girls already on waiting lists, we were ready to start our first meeting with 10 Rainbows. We focussed on getting to know each other using the activities from our programme in the “Know Myself” theme. Highlights include drawing Topsy Turvy pictures, making promise baubles for Christmas and painting a rainbow with handprints to use in our promise ceremonies.
Opening a new unit has had its ups and downs. We are still in need of more volunteers to form a committed team and to enable the division team to be able to take a step back. We would also love to have more girls to join us and begin their Guiding journey. It’s been such a positive experience overall. The girls are enthusiastic, the parents are positive and the leaders are learning new things! We hope the unit will continue to grow and offer amazing experiences for years to come.
Feel like volunteering? There is a place for everyone. https://girlguidingleeds.org.uk/volunteer/
