Adults

Girlguiding in Benton Division relies on adults to deliver the programme to all the younger members of the movement but as well as being a leader there are other opportunities available to adults within Guiding! We're always on the lookout for new members so please contact us if you're interested in becoming involved.

Guider in Uniform

Leaders

Adult Leaders are essential members of Guiding in Benton Division. They run meetings and organise activities for the younger members to take part in. All leaders are over 18 and either have or are working towards their Adult Leadership Qualification.

The Leadership Qualification is competency based and is done totally whilst in the unit - because of this you can cover the majority of it by just helping run the unit on a normal basis without having to do loads of "homework".

As part of the qualification Leaders must attend trainings about Guiding and their section, plan activities for their group and work with the girls to ensure they have a fun and safe time. All leaders must gain a 1st Response (first aid) certificate and must have a CRB check done. As a leader you are also offered the chance to gain Leadership Qualifications in things such as walking, climbing, sailing or learn about PR and cooking!

Leaders also get to have fun! Weekends are organised for get-togethers just for Leaders to relax and maybe learn a new skill or craft to take back to their unit. They can also be staff on numerous events that are run every summer throughout the country or abroad.

In Benton Division we are always looking out for new Leaders to join us! Being a leader doesn’t mean that you have to be at a unit meeting every week and is flexible. With more Leaders in Benton Division we could open a new Rainbow, Brownie or Guide units and give more girls the opportunity to try new things and be a part of the UK's largest all female organisation!

Male Unit Helper in Uniform

Unit Helpers

Unit Helpers are helpers who help out at a unit on a regular basis but who are not working towards the leader qualification. They are often parents who want to get involved more than being a parent helper on a one off basis but don’t want to be a Leader. The unique thing about Unit Helpers is that the can be male as well as female. In Benton Division we have Unit Helpers who are relatives (husbands and dads) of leaders who are often around to give us help - especially on camps!

Without the help of Unit Helpers many units would not be able to be run every week or even at all! All Unit Helpers have to have a CRB check before they are officially counted as a Unit Helper and are never left alone with members or expected to plan any activities either (unless they want to!) – just to be enthusiastic and help where needed.

Parent Helpers

Parent Helpers are parents who help on occasional meetings or trips, usually once a term. Several of our Brownie and Rainbow Units would not be able to run without the help of parents giving up an hour or an hour and a half once a term to help. Like Unit Helpers, Parent Helpers get all the fun of taking part in activities and helping the girls but are never left alone or expected to organise activities (unless they volunteer to!). If you can spare a couple of hours once a term why not offer to help your daughter’s unit? Most would be grateful for another adult and pair of hands!

Member of the Trefoil Guild in Uniform

Trefoil Guild

This section is often associated with members of the organisation who are over 65 but that is not the case. Anyone over 21 can be a member of the Trefoil Guild. Contrary to popular belief the Trefoil Guild do not just bake things for cake stalls but actually have a very active life! They go on outings, help out at unit meetings, be testers for badges, help at Division events when help is needed and even get to be judges when the Rangers have cooking competitions!

Administrators

Administrators can work for just a unit or the whole Division. As an Administrator you could devote a few hours a week to keeping accounts for a unit or writing letters and emails for members or run a website. Administrators keep units ticking and if you don’t want to or can’t spare the time to help a unit by being a Leader, Unit or Parent Helper this is another option and is just as important a role!