Become a peer educator and give girls a space to talk about what’s important to them!
As a peer educator you will explore important topics like mental wellbeing, safety and gender stereotypes, using your own experiences to become a role model for girls all across Scotland.
If you are 14-25 join us in May at our next peer education training weekend. Find out more through the link below 
If you know someone who would make a great peer educator make sure to share the link with them 
GIRLGUIDING are delighted to have been included in Together – Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights Manifesto 2026. They’ve brought together manifestos from across the sector to highlight how the next Scottish government can ensure children’s rights are upheld.
Our manifesto asks have been featured including:
Prevent and eliminate violence against young women and girls, with long-term funding for specialist women’s and youth organisations.
Ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for girls.
Take a look at Together’s full manifesto, urging the next Scottish Government to ensure children’s rights are at the heart of the next Government
https://www.togetherscotland.org.uk/…/childrens-rights…
You can also read our full manifesto on our website
Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, has launched 72 new badges offering even more amazing opportunities for girls aged 4-18 to grow in confidence, learn new skills, have fun and adventure, and to know they can do anything.
To help launch this exciting new project, broadcaster and presenter, Angellica Bell has come on board as Girlguiding ambassador. An active voice in the youth sector, the ex-CBBC presenter is dedicated to inspiring the younger generation and helping girls tackle the many challenges they face, all while having fun and adventures along the way.
Among the new badges, Rainbows (age 4-7) can giggle their way towards completing the Laughter badge; Brownies (age 7-10) might share the love for the Kindness badge; Guides (age 10-14) can creepy crawl their way closer to the Entomology badge; and Rangers (age 14-18) will be waxing lyrical about their favourite things with the Fandoms badge.
The 72 new badges were co-designed by more than 20,000 people including over 15,000 girls. Over 4,000 badge design ideas were submitted by girls and volunteers, and 11,000 girls from 753 Girlguiding units across the UK helped to test out the badge activities.
The badge activities were developed with Girlguiding’s youth panel Amplify, which is made up of 30 girls aged 12-18, and seven expert partners: The Royal Horticultural Society (Rangers – Gardening); Children’s Book Project (Guides – Bookworm); University of Reading (Rainbows – Laughter and Courage; Guides – Journalling); Wildwood Trust (Guides – Biodiversity); Bletchley Park (Codebreaking – Guides); the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (Rangers – Guiding world); and Wellbeing of Women (Rangers – My health).
The development of new, and the evolution of existing badges was a response to girls’ requests to add even more choice to the Girlguiding programme given the popularity of the first wave of overhauled badges released in 2018, with a phenomenal 1,551,087 completed across all four Girlguiding sections since then(1).
Coming on board as Girlguiding Ambassador to support the launch of the new badges, broadcaster and presenter, Angellica Bell said: “It was a real blast trying out the new badges with Girlguiding members.
“I know firsthand just how important it is for girls to have activities outside of school to educate but also have fun! As someone who thrives on challenges and is passionate about ensuring girls’ voices are heard, I feel extremely excited be joining Girlguiding as an ambassador.
“Girlguiding offers a safe and welcoming space for all girls, and I am so impressed by the work they do to build girls’ confidence and wellbeing, whilst tackling important issues impacting their lives such as online harm, sexism and misogyny.
“In a world where the voices of girls and young women are not always fairly heard, I am proud to stand alongside Girlguiding and will be using my voice to speak up for equality and to show that girls can do anything. Bring on the adventures!”
Fresh from her recent appearances presenting BBC One’s coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and as a Celebrity Big Brother housemate, Angellica will bring her adventurous, empowering, and inspiring spirit to the role of Girlguiding Ambassador.
As a trusted voice in broadcast, Angellica will help Girlguiding reach more girls by using her voice to amplify its work in making the world a more equal place for girls.
Girlguiding strives to be a place where everyone is welcome, is free to be themselves and has an equal sense of belonging – whoever they are and wherever they’re from. She will also bring her infectious high energy into supporting girls to have adventures and to break barriers by following their dreams, as she herself has.
Amanda Azeez, Girlguiding Acting CEO said: “The launch of these new badges is a huge moment for Girlguiding. They’ve been designed by girls, for girls which is so important to make sure we are staying relevant to girls’ wants and needs.
“The response from girls and volunteers during the consultation process was incredible and really inspiring. My personal favourite is the Bee rescuer badge for Rainbows – I just love it!
“There’s something for everyone among the new badges and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact these activities have on girls, building their confidence and helping them know they can do anything.”
Fatima, 18, from Girlguiding’s Amplify panel said: “I’m so excited for the launch because these badges reflect the real passions and interests’ girls have today and shows that Girlguiding is always evolving with us.
“Being part of the consultation showed that Girlguiding genuinely cares about what girls think and want. It’s empowering to know our voices help shape what guiding looks like for the future!”
Badges that have never been seen before in Girlguiding’s 115-year history include:
Interior designer:
This badge will see Guides planning designing, and decorating. They will discover the skills to transform spaces and let their creativity run wild
Courage:
Rainbows will learn to find their courage and know that trying new things doesn’t have to be scary.
Food critic:
Guides will embrace their inner critic to discover which flavours and foods make their heart sing, and which aren’t their thing.
Calm spaces:
Rangers will find some inner peace and unwind. They will discover what makes them relaxed and create their own calm space.
This year, Girlguiding launched a new strategy to reach more girls where they are, building their confidence when they need it the most, so more girls will know they can do anything. Girlguiding’s programme provides girls and women with the opportunity to learn invaluable skills in the welcoming fun and supportive environment Girlguiding provides. Recent impact research found girls aged 11-18 in guiding to be on average, 28% more confident and 15% happier than UK girls.(2)
Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, has today shared a first glimpse of its new and exciting haul of badges launching next summer. 72 new badges will be available for girls aged 4 – 18 to complete– including a revamped and modern version of the 2018 discontinued ‘Hostess’ badge.
Last year, Girlguiding underwent a huge brand transformation and by adding even more interest badges, the organisation continues its commitment to evolve as the lives and needs of girls change.
The development of new and the evolution of old badges was a response to girls’ requests to add more given the popularity of the first wave of badges released in 2018, with a phenomenal 1,336,656 completed across all four Girlguiding sections since then1.
The old favourite Brownie ‘Hostess’ badge has been given a fresh twist and transformed into the new ‘Celebrations’ badge.
The former badge, first popularised in the 1960s, could once be awarded for playing ‘hostess’ by inviting a friend round and making them a cup of tea, before activities to earn the badge were expanded in 2009 to include party planning so that girls could learn event planning skills.
With the new ‘Celebrations’ badge, Brownies will not only learn valuable event planning skills, they will also explore how people from around the world celebrate special occasions before planning their own.
Girlguiding is consulting with members, and to date has heard from over 20,000 girls, volunteers, and parents about what they wanted to see added to the range of interest badges. Until 30 November 2024, anyone, including members of the public, can still submit their ideas which will be used to finalise the designs and activities that make up the badges.
Alongside the new ‘Celebration’ badge for Brownies (age 7-10), a ‘Bee rescuer’ badge will also be launched for Rainbows (age 4-7) challenging girls to get to know this special insect with activities from investigating bugs and bees, to making a bee rescue kit.
A ‘Thrift’ badge will be added for Guides (age 10-14), encouraging girls to channel their inner eco-warrior and learn how to customise, repurpose, and recycle. Both badges were inspired by girls’ passion for living sustainably and learning to help the natural world. 84% of girls told Girlguiding that it’s important to them to do something about climate change1.
Also launching will be a ‘Nostalgia’ badge for Rangers (aged 14-18). This new badge will not only see girls reflect on their past, but it will also provide an opportunity to talk to someone older than them and hear stories from someone at a different stage of life.
Girlguiding hope this badge will help to tackle intergenerational loneliness with over half (59%) of girls and young women aged 7-21 reported feelings of loneliness in Girlguiding’s latest Girls’ Attitudes Survey and 3 in 4 of them think that younger and older people spending time together is a good way to tackle loneliness2.
Rangers will also benefit from learning valuable relationship building skills and gain a greater understanding of different perspectives.
Sofia, 6, a Rainbow who is passionate about the environment said:“I’ve loved learning about beekeeping at my local beekeepers’ association and am really happy that Girlguiding is making a badge so more girls can get involved in rescuing and protecting bees.
“We need to help protect bees because our environment needs them!”
Sally Kettle, Deputy Chief Guide at Girlguiding said: “I’m so excited about the new interest badges and it’s been inspiring to see the flood of ideas coming from the girls, and leaders too! I have to admit it really got my own creative juices going and I submitted an idea for a sporty badge.
“It’s so important that it’s the girls themselves that have put their ideas forward, because it really reflects their changing interests and shows us what skills they value and perhaps need a little bit of help to obtain.
“It’s such an exciting time in Girlguiding and I really can’t wait to see the new range launch next year. I have no doubt social media feeds will be buzzing with stories of girls earning their new badges!”
Among the most frequently completed interest badges in the programme from the first release in 2018 have been ‘Drawing’ for Rainbows, ‘Aviation’ for Brownies, ‘Mixology’ for Guides, and ‘Self-care’ for Rangers.
The popularity of all kinds of badges highlights the diversity of interests and aspirations among Girlguiding members.
Girlguiding’s programme provides young girls and women with the opportunity to learn invaluable skills in the welcoming fun and supportive environment Girlguiding provides. All girls in Girlguiding are encouraged, and empowered to know they can do anything and become future leaders and change-makers in their communities.
For more information about how to get involved with Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk.
Girlguiding – the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK – today announces, on International Day of The Girl, that they are officially opening the doors to four-year-old girls nationwide.
Rainbows, the charity’s youngest section, will now welcome girls from the age of four up to seven years old, providing more opportunities for more girls to experience the fun, friendship and adventure of Girlguiding.
Rainbows has been running for 35 years and to celebrate this achievement, Girlguiding has collaborated with award-winning portrait photographer Emily Stein on a photo series entitled ‘Girls Are Made Of…’, celebrating the true face of four-year-old girls, challenging the dated stereotype that little girls should be ‘sugar and spice and all things nice’.
International Day of The Girl
Launched to coincide with the annual International Day of the Girl, selected images from the series will be on display at Girlguiding’s London headquarters on Buckingham Palace Road, both in the windows and a gallery open to the public. The bold images perfectly capture what girls are made of, from strength and joy, to mischief, courage, and curiosity.
Free to be four
For the photo series, Girlguiding invited existing Rainbows and girls keen to start their own Girlguiding journey to a photoshoot, designed to showcase their individuality — representing the many faces, qualities and quirks embraced by the organisation.
Photographer Emily Stein is known for her bold aesthetic and documentary approach to shooting children and young people; capturing authentic emotions and real ‘moments’ that bring a sense of intimacy and honesty to her subjects.
Emma Guthrie, Assistant Chief Guide, said: “Four-year-old girls have spent a huge portion of their lives in a pandemic, missing out on essential play, exploration, confidence building and friendships, and parents are keen for them to make up for lost time.
“Too often girls are still expected to be sugar and spice and all things nice, but working with girls and young women for over 100 years, we know they are made of so much more. We’re extremely happy to warmly welcome four-year-olds to the organisation and start them on their Girlguiding journey – opening up a community where girls can always be free to be themselves. Free to be four.”
Rainbows focuses on developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things and having fun through games and activities. When asked what they enjoyed about Rainbows, four-year-old Mia-Belle, said, “We get to play, play, play!” – a sentiment echoed by Neylah, also four, who added that she “loves going to Rainbows” because “we play fun games”. Adah-Rose added that she “can’t wait” to be a Rainbow and is “really excited” that she can now join her local unit.
Girls can work towards badges throughout their Girlguiding journey, with Rainbows and the other sections following a diverse and engaging programme built around six themes1 offering girls a broad range of experiences. In Rainbows, girls are encouraged to gain skills in areas such as exploration, story-telling, construction and nature, and even explore at a young age what it means to have a healthy mind.
Rainbows is all about developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things, and having fun. Members get their hands dirty with arts and crafts, get in touch with nature and play games. It’s all about learning by doing.
Emily Stein, Photographer, said: “For this special collection of images, I really wanted to capture all the behaviours, contradictions, energy, purity, beauty and emotions of being four.
“It’s a really significant time in a girl’s life; sitting between the ‘toddler’ years and just before the structure of school begins, with the world opening up a little more every day, in all of its exciting glory. It’s a magical year in time, that was truly a joy to document.”
#GirlsAreMadeOf…
Girlguiding is encouraging its community and members of the public to join the charity and celebrate all the incredible things that they were made of at age four, by sharing their own ‘face of four’ photos on Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtag #GirlsAreMadeOf… and adding their own word, to best describe their image.
The ‘Girls Are Made Of…’ exhibition will run for two weeks from Tuesday 11th October, with free admission to the general public.
You can follow the #GirlsAreMadeOf… campaign, view the online gallery or share a picture of yourself at four by visiting Girlguiding on Instagram.com/girlguiding, and at facebook.com/girlguidinguk.
For more information, and to register your daughter’s interest in joining, please visit: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/joinus/
Fantastic opportunities for any girls aged 5-10 to get involved in the new Rainbows or Brownie packs beginning in Granton this month.
Free taster sessions available – contact grantonguides100@gmail.com
Following the recent girls and young women’s survey, we’ve collected the findings and wanted to share research – ‘Back in lockdown’.
We’ve been asking how girls and young women are coping with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has radically changed their lives and shaped their perspectives.
In our report you can find out more about what they’re appreciating, the challenges they’ve been experiencing and aspirations for the future
Download our report here 
https://bit.ly/3dgQwO4
To support young people and their parents while at home, Girlguiding Scotland, the leading charity for girls and young women, has launched the ‘Guiding at Hame’ challenge – a weekly online challenge with activities for children and adults alike to get stuck into.
With face to face meetings no longer taking place, Girlguiding Scotland is delivering its unique programme in new and innovative ways. They issued a challenge on 1 May, with activities suitable for anyone from age 5 and up. New activities are released every Friday, and the whole challenge reflects the six themes of Girlguiding’s programme: Know Myself, Express Myself, Be Well, Have Adventures, Take Action and Skills For My Future. In true guiding style, anyone who takes part in the challenge can earn the ‘Guiding at Hame’ badge.
The challenge is open to everyone – you don’t need to be a member – just download the activities from Girlguiding Scotland’s website to take part. This is a great way to give guiding a go and get a taster of what’s on offer.
Scottish Chief Commissioner, Moira McKenna, said: “Girlguiding Scotland is a resilient community and we want to support as many children and young people across Scotland right now with our new Guiding at Hame challenge.
“Our programme is all about empowering girls and young women to try new things, care for those in their communities and have fun outside of school. None of this could happen without our amazing volunteers and we want to say a big thanks to them for keeping guiding going during this challenging time.
“It’s everyday folk who are working hard to make sure that families are supported and we hope that those taking part in the activities will be inspired to join our guiding community in the future.”
The challenge can be found on Girlguiding Scotland’s website in the new ‘Guiding at Hame’ hub with advice on how to move to virtual guiding meetings and blogs on wellbeing and resilience resources for children and young people.
Girlguiding Scotland is encouraging anyone who takes part in the challenge to tag them on social media @GirlguidingScot.
The activities can also be done with Girlguiding units. Already, many Girlguiding Scotland volunteers have been delivering virtual guiding with girls, running their weekly meetings using technology like Zoom and Whatsapp.
Girlguiding is open to all girls aged 5 to 18, giving them the opportunity to explore new interests and build their confidence.
For more information visit www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk
GIRLGUIDING FEBRUARY BREAK SESSIONS IN RESTALRIG
Are you aged 14-18?
Looking for something to do this February break?
Do you want to try out some new activities?
Girlguiding Edinburgh are inviting girls aged 14 -18 to join them for fun and adventure at Girlguiding Ranger sessions from 10-14 February every evening at the Ripple Project in Restalrig.
The sessions are open to all girls aged 14-18 to take part in a range of exciting and new activities such as camp skills, games, an exciting day trip, and so much more!
Girls are encouraged to attend all sessions, so if you’re looking for something different to do, or you know a girl who might be interested then go to www.girlguiding.org.uk or call 0131 226 4511.
Looking for more info? Visit us at Ocean Terminal between 7 – 10 February where we’ll be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Girlguiding Edinburgh are opening a brand new Brownie and new Guide unit in the Craigmillar area. Continue reading New Girlguiding units to open in Craigmillar
