Tag: Guides

Scotland’s Social Action Inquiry is looking for Guides

My name is Darryl Gaffney du Plooy, and I am one of the Co-leads for the Social Action Inquiry (Scotland). The other Co-lead is Deborah Menezes.

We are currently looking for people to help shape the direction of the inquiry. We have given these roles the name of Guides because lived experience will be crucial  for us to navigate sensibly and sensitively through the complex landscapes of Scotland’s Civil Society.

We are inviting applications from any age and all backgrounds. We have produced Easy-Read materials and are welcoming applications sent via video and audio file for people who prefer these forms of communication. 

As well as the option to submit a written application The full details on how to apply can be found at Good Moves or on our Social Action Inquiry Website.

We appreciate that our deadline (12 noon, 22nd of October) might be too short for some people but we would like to communicate that we will be looking to recruit more Guides in 2022.

I also wanted to mention that we will also soon be ready to share with you a programme of activities for us to listen, learn and build bonds with people, places, and communities in Scotland.

Our intention is for the activities to mirror our approach to the inquiry, as in, focusing on relationships, being inclusive & participatory, and orientating energy towards action.

If either or both of these developments interest you, please share and if you would like to get in touch feel free to do so. We will be delighted to hear from you.      

Best wishes

Darryl Gaffney du Plooy

Co-lead Social Action Inquiry

Darryl@socialaction.sco

Invitation for Guides of the Social Action Inquiry in Scotland 

Do you want to live in a Scotland where communities   can make positive differences to their way of life? A Scotland that values social action and helps to make it happpen?  

We invite you to be part of our Social Action Inquiry team to shape the direction of the inquiry by adding your voice and experience into the inquiry process 

What is the Social Action Inquiry? 

The Social Action Inquiry is being set up to find out more about how communities can take action that makes a difference. It will look at what helps, and what gets in the way. It’s hoped that it will help influence how Scotland rebuilds after the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Inquiry’s vision is: 

A Scotland which recognises the value of social action and its potential to enable us to overcome the challenges we face in the 21st century.  

This independent inquiry will be led by people with direct, lived experience of Scottish communities which have felt powerlessness over decisions affecting their own lives, and that this power has been exercised by others. 

It will support people to find their voices, take action, and use what they learn to help create wider change.  For more details, see our website – socialaction.scot 

To help the Inquiry we are inviting people to become Guides.   

What will a Guide do?  

To allow for the Inquiry to create a more inclusive and sustainable journey the Guides will help  shape the direction of the Inquiry.  For more details on the role please download our invitation to become a Guide file below (General or Easy-Read versions). 

Work, Hours and Pay. 

The Guides will meet once a month for one full day, online or in-person.  

The Guides will be offered £200 per day for their time.  

The panel of Guides will be reviewed every six months. This is to ensure diverse perspectives can contribute into the Inquiry.   

I would like to be a Guide. How do I do that?   

You can choose apply that in four different ways:   

  1. Write your answers on our application form (attached below).  
  2. Write a personal statement (no more than 1000 words) telling us why you would like to be a Guide.    
  3. Send us a video, no longer than 10 minutes, telling us why you would like to be a Guide. 
  4. Send us an audio file, no longer than 10 minutes, telling us why you would like to be a Guide.   

 We have chosen these four different ways because we know writing applications can be difficult for people. Guiding questions with how to design your application can be found by downloading the ‘Invitation for Guides’ file below (General or Easy-Read versions)  

When is the closing date for applications?  

Applications are open until 12 noon on the 22nd of October  

We will let people know if they are being invited to an interview by the 29th of October.  

Interviews will be arranged for the week beginning the 1st of November.    

How to submit your application.  

 A copy of the application can be downloaded below.  

 Completed written applications should be sent to hello@socialaction.scot  

Video and Audio Files should be sent by WeTransfer, or via the communication platforms Telegram or  Whatsapp to 07867 181 040.   

Please send a confirmation email to hello@socialaction.scot  informing us which platform you have used to submit your application.   

If you would like to speak to someone above being a guide before you apply or have any additional queries regarding the role or any information noted above, please email:  hello@socialaction.scot    

Downloads

Invitation for Guides Easy Read

Invitation for Guides

Application Form Easy-Read Version

Application Form

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Privacy Statement and References for Video and Audio File Applications 

Girlguiding volunteers needed in Edinburgh

A new recruitment campaign looking for volunteers to join Girlguiding Scotland has launched – #ExploreDiscoverVolunteer – which will help support the return of face-to-face guiding in communities across Scotland.

Around 1000 girls and young women in Edinburgh are currently on the waiting list to join a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger unit and to help fulfil this Girlguiding Scotland is looking for volunteers across the nation. 

From adventure weekends away to earning new badges, Girlguiding Scotland wants to provide even more girls and young women a safe space to have fun, connect with their friends and build skills for their future.

According to Volunteer Scotland there are many benefits to volunteering including gaining confidence, meeting new people, being part of a community, taking on a challenge and having fun, all of which can be gained from being a volunteer with Girlguiding Scotland. 

A survey carried out by Girlguiding found that nearly a third of girls and young women in Scotland felt lockdown has had a negative impact on their mental health – amidst high levels of worry, stress, and loneliness.

Tricia Forrester, Girlguiding Scotland volunteer said: “It has been especially hard during the pandemic; we have had to come up with new and innovative ways to help support girls and young women’s wellbeing during these uncertain times.

“Being a volunteer for Girlguiding Scotland has really helped me embed myself into the community as well as being so rewarding, knowing that I am providing girls and young women with a safe space to have fun, connect with their friends and build skills for their future.”

Moira McKenna, Chief Guide for Girlguiding Scotland said: “We currently have a strong team of around 10,000 volunteers, but with growing demand we want to ensure that all girls and young women have the opportunity to join Girlguiding. We are looking to increase the adult membership to help more girls and young women access the benefits that guiding has to offer.

“We are looking for more volunteers to get involved to make a meaningful impact in the lives of girls and young women, building on the incredible work during the pandemic.

“New volunteers can choose from opportunities to work directly with young members and lead on the delivery of activities; go on international trips and adventure weekends away; and access bespoke training.

“The campaign highlights how volunteering with Girlguiding Scotland supports people’s self-development and improves their confidence and wellbeing.”

Bringing the benefits of guiding to more girls and adults across Scotland is central to Girlguiding Scotland’s strategy which aims to ensuring every girl and young woman who wants to join guiding in Scotland, whatever their background, will have the opportunity to do so.

Anyone can get involved in guiding, whether they’ve previously been a member, and with a variety of volunteer roles to choose from people can give the time that suits them.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or know a girl who would like to join guiding, please visit www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/get-involved/ to find out how to get involved.

New Girlguiding units to open in Craigmillar this week

Girlguiding Edinburgh are opening a brand new Brownie and new Guide unit in the Craigmillar area this week.

Girls aged 7-10 are invited to join Brownies and girls aged 10-14 are invited to join Guides. If you’re a girl or you know a girl who likes going on adventures, trying something new and meeting new friends then what are you waiting for?

Come along and take part in all the fun that guiding has to offer!

Time and Location

The new units will open on Thursday (30 January). Brownies and Guides will run between 6-8pm at St Teresa’s in Craigmillar, 120 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4EG. The units will then meet on a weekly basis.

For more information and to register please contact www.girlguiding.org.uk and choose the 82nd City of Edinburgh Brownie or Guide unit or call 0131 226 4511.