South West England Lones: Brownies, Guides and Rangers
We support girls and young women aged 7-18 who cannot attend Girlguiding unit meetings to access all the opportunities of being a young member of Girlguiding, tailored to the individual. Our members are spread across the South West England Region and participate in Girlguiding activities in their own time, at their own pace. We keep in touch via email and offer video catch-ups with leaders too. Several times a year, themed activity newsletters are sent out full of fun things to do, which compliment the Girlguiding programme. The unit leadership team supports our young members individually with their progress, including tailored adaptions to activities, and send out any badges achieved via post. This style of guiding is perfect for girls and young women who are unable to join a Girlguiding unit that meets at a specific location on a set day/time, or who would struggle spending time in a large group. Our Lone Brownies, Guides and Rangers fit guiding around their own schedules and needs, and get all the benefits of being Girlguiding members. If you're interested in finding out more or know a girl who would love to join us, please get in touch:
Lone Guiding
The concept of Lone guiding has existed almost as long as Girlguiding – the first Lone Guide Company was established in 1912 by Agnes Baden-Powell. Lone members work towards the Girlguiding programme in their own time, using friends or family for group activities, and accessing resources and support from Leaders via email or through the post.
There are many reasons why Lone guiding may suit a girl including not being able to travel to a physical unit, having caring responsibilities, chronic illness, other commitments clashing with unit meeting times, or even being a long way down on the waiting list for a local unit. Whilst Lone members may undertake the majority of their activities independently, sometimes they link up to work together with other Lones and attend camps and events with other units.
Girlguiding South West England has one Lones unit covering the whole region, which is open for new and existing young members to join and complete the Brownie, Guide and Ranger programmes. Members have ownership over the route they take within the Girlguiding programme, supported by the leadership team to adapt activities where needed. After evidence of their efforts are emailed in, any badges earned are posted out. Additional activity suggestions on a theme are also sent out several times a year, which provides the non-programme activity. Just like every other young member Lones pay an annual subscription, this year will be £40.00
If you know of any girls who could really benefit from Lone guiding do encourage them to give it a go
