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GIRL GUIDES WAITING LIST GROWS TO 50,000
(SUNDAY JANUARY 28) MORE than 50,000 girls are on a waiting list to join the Girl Guides, a new report has revealed.
The popularity of the Guides is booming, with 8,000 members in Bucks alone. But with a rising number of participants the organisation is facing a lack of adult volunteers.
Now the Guides in Bucks have launched a desperate appeal for people to come forward.
Since it was established almost 100 years ago, Girlguiding has continued to work towards its publicised aim – to help girls and young women fulfil their potential, through a programme of enjoyable and stimulating activities.
A spokeswoman for Guiding in Bucks said: "Undoubtedly, the popularity of Girlguiding is due to the diverse opportunities available to develop skills, gain new experiences and expand horizons. For many, the chance to travel and represent Guiding internationally proves to be the main attraction.
"Ever increasing demand to join the Girlguides has resulted in an extensive waiting list, and while time on such lists varies from area to area depending on demand, some girls can expect not to get a place in the Girlguides.
"There are currently more than 50,000 girls on waiting lists nationwide, a clear-cut sign of its ever-increasing popularity, however, Girlguiding is constantly working towards reducing these numbers through its new schemes to attract and retain volunteers," she said.
At present, there are only 800 volunteer leaders within Buckinghamshire, which is not sufficient enough to satisfy the membership demand.
Girlguiding marketing and communications co-ordinator, Liz Mitchell, said: "It's a sign of the times. These days people have less free time on their hands and this is represented in the shortage of volunteers at Girlguides and, in fact, many other organisations".
Girlguiding says it works hard to make people aware of opportunities available to volunteers and stress the positive implications of becoming a part of this worthwhile and beneficial organisation.
Girlguiding volunteers can either become uniformed leaders or fill many of the other extensive volunteer opportunities such as administration, planning events and running units, dependent on their skills and what is needed at the time.
Through its commitment to reducing joining lists with 'Project 50K', Girlguiding UK is now concentrating on a new action plan, focusing on retention, flexibility, diversity and recruitment.
In addition, plans are already being made to introduce the '12hr challenge', encouraging people to give just 12 hours a year of their time to volunteering at Girlguiding. It has been well received in other places and so far, proved to be very positive and successful.
For every new volunteer to Girlguiding, up to 12 girls could join and benefit from the guiding experience.
If you are interested in volunteering, or for further information, Girlguiding Buckinghamshire can be contacted on 01296 487683.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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