How to Volunteer with Girlguiding Shropshire

Updated

Girlguiding Shropshire is run almost entirely by volunteers, and you do not need any prior guiding experience to get involved. The county supports more than 3,700 girls and young women, so there is a wide range of roles — from helping at a weekly unit meeting to behind-the-scenes support. To start, contact the county or your nearest local unit and express your interest; they will match you to a role that fits your time and skills.

What Girlguiding Shropshire is

Girlguiding Shropshire is the local county branch of Girlguiding, the UK charity that gives girls and young women the chance to develop their potential and make a difference. The county is led by a County Commissioner — Sarah Smith-Roe was announced as the new commissioner, taking over from Jane Hurst, according to the county's homepage. That structure matters for volunteers because it means there is a recognised local leadership team you can approach, rather than a single national office.

Why volunteers matter

Local units — the weekly meetings that girls attend — only run because adults give their time. Without enough volunteers, units can close or waiting lists grow. That is why the county actively looks for new helpers rather than expecting people to already be involved in guiding.

Types of roles available

Roles broadly fall into two groups:

  • Working directly with girls — helping at unit meetings, supporting activities, games and trips.
  • Behind-the-scenes support — administration, finance, communications, fundraising, or helping run the county itself.

Many roles are flexible and can fit around work or study. For example, if you can only help one evening a month, a unit helper role may suit you better than a leadership position.

Do you need experience?

No. For many roles, no prior guiding experience is required — you learn as you go, with support from the unit and the county team. Some roles, particularly those with responsibility for a unit, involve training and checks, which the organisation arranges.

How to express interest

  1. Decide how much time you can give. A rough idea of evenings or hours per month helps the county match you to a role.
  2. Contact Girlguiding Shropshire. Use the contact details on the county website (girlguidingshropshire.org.uk) to say you would like to volunteer.
  3. Or approach a local unit directly. If you know a unit near you, you can ask there first.
  4. Expect a conversation. The county or unit will talk through what is involved, what training is provided, and what checks are needed.
  5. Start with a taster if unsure. Trying a session before committing is a common way to see whether a role suits you.

What to check before you commit

  • Time commitment — ask how often the role meets and whether it is term-time only.
  • Training and checks — confirm what is required and who arranges it.
  • Support — find out who your point of contact would be.
  • Age requirements — some roles have minimum ages; ask when you make contact.

Common questions

Can I volunteer if I have no connection to guiding? Yes — many volunteers come in with no prior experience.

Can I help without running a unit? Yes — behind-the-scenes roles exist for people who prefer not to lead meetings.

Who do I contact first? The county via its website, or a local unit if you already know one.

The quickest route is simply to make contact and ask what is currently needed — the county can tell you which roles are open and what the next step is.