Girlguiding UK
From WikiGuider
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in 1928. Today the Association has more than 600,000 members and continues to be the largest female only youth organisation in the UK.
The Girl Guides in the UK are officially "The Guide Association" and go under the operating name of "Girlguiding UK". Although Scout groups in the UK must now accept girls as of January 2007, this has not affected the numbers of girls joining Girlguiding UK. At present one out of every three eight-year-old girls in the UK are Brownies and 50% of UK women have been involved with Guiding at some point in their lives.
Girlguiding UK is a charitable organisation and adult leaders are not paid for their time.
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History
Following the creation of Robert Baden-Powell's Boy Scout movement and their first rally, at the Crystal Palace, it became apparent that many girls wanted to join the movement. In response Baden-Powell formed the Girl Guides in 1910, and asked his sister Agnes to look after the new organisation. A few years later his new wife Olave became involved and, in 1918, was appointed Chief Guide. Girlguiding UK - History of guiding.
The name Guides was chosen from Baden-Powell's military background, "Guides" had operated in the north-west frontier in India, their main task was to go on hazardous expeditions. These men had particularly influenced Baden-Powell as they continued training minds and body even when off duty. As a result Baden Powell decided Girl Guides would be a suitable name for the pioneering young women's movement he wished to establish.Girlguiding UK- History of Guiding.
In 1914 Rosebuds were established for girls aged 8-11, this name was later changed to Brownies. Two years later in 1916 the first Senior Guide groups were formed, in 1920 these groups became Rangers. 1943 saw the establishment of the Trefoil Guild for members over 21 (now 18) who wished to remain a part of the movement but couldn't remain active with a unit. The section for the youngest members of the association, Rainbows, was introduced in 1987 for girls aged 5-7 (4-7 in Ulster). Girlguiding UK- History of Guiding
Programme
Girls are organised into sections by age. These are Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and the Senior Section.
Administrative Structure in the UK
For effective administration of Girlguiding UK, the UK is split into smaller areas. At the top level there are ten Countries and Regions.
The Countries are:
The Regions are:
- Girlguiding Anglia
- Girlguiding London and South East England (known as LaSER)
- Girlguiding Midlands
- Girlguiding North East England
- Girlguiding North West England
- Girlguiding South West England
Countries and Regions are then split into Counties. These in turn comprise of Divisions. Divisions are split into Districts. In some areas with few members, County, Division or District level may be omitted because effective communication occurs without it. Each area is lead by a Commissioner.
Girlguiding UK outside of the United Kingdom
Girlguiding UK is also active outside the British Isles. In nine British overseas territories, there are branch associations with slightly different Guiding programmes adapted to the local conditions. Most of the branch associations use different uniforms or lighter textiles.
Branch Associations are active in
- Anguilla
- Bermuda - Girlguiding Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Saint Helena & dependencies
- Turks & Caicos Islands
