New Year Honours for Mel Ford

Huge congratulations to Mel Ford, who has been recognised in the King's New Years Honour List with an MBE. Mel is recognised for the significant impact that she has had on girls’ lives through numerous roles that she has held within Girlguiding and WAGGS, including trainer, county commissioner for Sussex West, Ranger leader, National Vice Chair of 4CaST (the Peer Education co-ordination and steering team) and lead volunteer for WAGGGS.

Without doubt a common thread throughout Mel’s volunteering is her focus on supporting young women, and in Mel these young women find an inspiring leader who is accessible, who listens, who is consistent in her support and who shares the joy in their successes.

Mel has always been and continues to be motivated to ensure young people are heard, can have the opportunities to maximise their potential and celebrate their achievements. She is a great leader and we are incredibly thankful for all that she gives to Girlguiding and are thrilled that she is being recognised with this award.

Mel was also recognised with the Silver Fish award - Girlguiding's highest honour - last year.

“I've learned from so many I've met along the way that I feel this is an award shared with all of them, whether from the UK or worldwide. My hope is that more volunteers are recognised like this in the future, for the confidence they give girls and young women to speak up about things they are passionate about and for giving them positive life experiences they may not have outside of the guiding movement.

“Girlguiding opened the door to the world for me when I was younger, helping to develop the skills and values then to achieve what I have today. It's given me experiences I could never have dreamed of having, and I am incredibly grateful for the lifelong learning, friendships, and memories that guiding has given me."

Brownie leader Sue Rodger from Surrey West was also awarded an BEM for her contribution to her community in Thames Ditton.