Girlguide Unit Leader

Who we are:

Girlguiding North West England provides girls with opportunities to explore, have fun and know that they belong. We help all girls know that they can do anything.

Through fun, friendship, challenge, and adventure we empower girls to find their voice, inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and to make a positive difference in their community.

Become an inspiring role model for our members - and help empower girls to be their best. Join the 100,000 amazing volunteers and supporters who make a real difference to nearly half a million girls and young women.

Our weekly unit meetings are at the heart of Girlguiding. When you volunteer at them you’ll have fun, get messy, meet new people and run activities that help our members discover their potential. You can choose to work with girls in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Rangers, and you’ll be volunteering directly with them. Unit meetings are usually an hour to an hour and a half once a week, term time. We have units at various locations so we can find a location that best suits you.

What are we looking for?

What skills and attributes do you need?

Flexibility - You need to change your plans according to the needs of the girls.

Willingness to get involved - To take part in a team and activities.

Teamwork - Be able to work with others and share tasks and responsibilities.

Personal and digital communication skills - You’ll have a part in communicating with parents and other volunteers in your district.

Attention to detail - Some tasks, like updating or overseeing the accounts, need your diligence, although there will be a great team to support you. 

Willingness to learn - Learning as you go to keep your skills fresh

What would you be doing as a volunteer?

As a unit leader, you’ll join a team of volunteers to run the unit, plan meetings, and deliver awesome activities.

If you’d like to become a leader, we’ll support you to complete our Leader development programme.

Each unit leadership team does things a little differently. Here are some of the activities that are part of being in the team:

• Help plan and deliver activities which are based on our Girlguiding programme. These are accessible and inclusive. Often they’re planned by volunteers and girls at the beginning of term
• You’ll go to your unit meeting each week and run activities with the girls and other volunteers
• Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Girlguiding, so you’ll help provide a safe, girl-only space where every girl and young woman can take part
• You’ll also be keeping up the Doing Our Best standards for your unit
• You’ll complete training for the role and follow Girlguiding policies
• You may be a trustee for the unit, which means that you have more responsibilities
• Your whole unit leadership team decides who keeps the accounts and unit records. But you may have overall responsibility, especially if you have a small team (even if your unit has an administrator)
• You might communicate with parents, carers and other Girlguiding volunteers
• Leaders usually spend two to five hours a week outside of the unit time on the role (depending on how the unit responsibilities are shared and what activities are planned). This might include contacting new members or going to district meetings
• Leaders share issues and concerns with local commissioners

Not quite the right role for you? If this doesn’t seem like the right fit, have a look at our other roles or contact us as we always need support with events and fundraising.