As National Volunteers Week progresses, members of the Girlguiding IW are looking to find new recruits to help hold sessions and inspire young people.
Unlike some other Island charities, the organisation has no paid members and relies solely on its members giving up their time for free.
Members on the Island are part of the South West England Region of Girlguiding and have recently announced a new Region Chief Commissioner who will head up the 16 Counties and Islands in the Region.
Although looking after this very large area the Region Commissioner’s position is still an unpaid one and usually, the post holder has a regular job and family commitments as do most leaders and helpers.
The new Region Commissioner, Laura Cottey, is currently a Brownie Leader in Wiltshire South and has also volunteered as a Brownie and Guide Leader in Devon, Somerset and Hampshire West. She began her 5 year appointment as Chief Commissioner of Girlguiding South West England on 1st June 2021.
Laura has been in Guiding ever since joining Brownies as a 7 year old and she is a keen advocate of the benefits it offers both girls and adults. Her appointment as the Region’s new Chief Commissioner coincides with the start of Volunteers Week – an opportunity to thank the Region’s fantastic volunteers for all they have done over the past difficult year, and to encourage new volunteers to join.
As a busy working mum with a young son, Laura loves being with the 7-10 year olds in her Brownie unit:
She said:
“Being with the girls is fantastic, I love the fact that I can go and spend time with them, it’s a great way to decompress.”
She is also aware of the difference volunteering makes to the lives and prospects of the girls she comes into contact with and finds it hugely rewarding to see the positive changes they go through during their time with Girlguiding and the way having female role models from all walks of life motivates and inspires them.
Despite having a career that involves shift work and frequent location changes, Laura has found Girlguiding is a good fit with her lifestyle:
“Whenever I’ve moved, I’ve been able to make friends and feel part of a community quite quickly” she says. “I can’t be there every week, but all the units I’ve been involved in have been really supportive.”
Volunteering has also been an opportunity for Laura’s own personal development. She said:
“The skills I’ve learnt through Guiding have been really useful – the ability to look after a group of girls and the things that come with that – the risk assessments, programme planning, and organisation – are completely different skills that really contribute to my working life.
“I am extremely honoured to take on the role of Girlguiding South West England’s Chief Commissioner for our amazing Region. I aim to use my passion for Girlguiding and the skills I have gained from my previous roles to ensure as many girls and young women as possible can experience Girlguiding in South-West England and now is a great time to join us.”
Volunteering with Girlguiding is very flexible and does not have to be a regular, weekly commitment and there are many different roles from administrative support to Unit Leader. If you’re interested in volunteering, head to www.girlguidingisleofwight.co.uk.
