During volunteers’ week, we challenged our members to nominate and tell us the story of outstanding volunteers. Here are the stories of five volunteers picked at random:
Teresa nominated Angela from 5th Paddock Wood
"She set up 5th Paddock Wood guides 4 years ago as a new unit.
During lockdown, she kept all the girls motivated with the 4 eldest achieving their Gold Awards. Meeting through zoom, they worked towards skills builder badges and she also arranged other weekly challenges to keep them busy outside of meetings to earn other non-interest badges & included siblings in Brownies too, including a Geocache trail. The unit has grown by 30% this year and she has managed to overcome all the challenges Covid has thrown at her. She is amazing!"
Gail nominated Alison from 1st Oxshott Rainbow Unit & Cobham District Commissioner
"She has not only been our District Commissioner but has endlessly made up and delivered Girlguiding packs for 3 groups meeting over Zoom since March 2020. More recently, Alison has been covering no less than 7 groups in our region. We sadly lost Lina Heather recently - Alison and Lina were discussing guiding until her passing with Lina adamant that F2F Guides must continue this term as that is what she promised the girls. Without Alison, Lina’s last wishes would not have been fulfilled. Alison is the embodiment of Girlguiding and would never seek out a reward for her achievements hence me putting her forward for recognition.
Paulette nominated Zoë from 13th Worthing Guides & Worthing Cissbury Division Commissioner
"Zoë is Worthing Cissbury Division Commissioner and Leader in Charge at 13th Worthing Guides. Her enthusiasm, love and energy for Girlguiding is infectious! She has gone above and beyond to ensure the girls have had plenty of opportunities to stay engaged with Guiding throughout the pandemic. Zoë co-created three brilliant Division virtual sleepover events, each with an absolutely amazing array of activities for everyone to join in, and inspired us, volunteers, to get creative too! Zoë sadly lost her volunteering partner in the new year but has kept 13th Worthing Guides running virtually and now face-to-face with a smile on her face - she is one brave, excitable and brilliant volunteer!"
Amy nominated Zoe, Sutton's Division Commissioner
"Zoe is always so supportive and positive, she was before the pandemic and she has been throughout. She’s great at keeping in touch, making sure all our questions are answered and making sure we feel valued. She’s also incredibly thoughtful and has made gifts for us leaders at various points over the past few years, including this volunteering week when she sent us all beads (that she counted out by hand for everyone), pins and instructions to make a Guiding light candle badge! She’s always looking to do more and do things better – thank you Zoe!"
Abigail & Megan nominated Natalie
"Natalie inspires and supports us in all aspects of Girlguiding. She has run weekly virtual meetings, with well-prepared activities and special guests from outside guiding eg RNLI and a 'birds of prey' presentation. She has also run 2 virtual, themed sleepover weekends. We feel all her hard work should be recognised, that’s why we are making this nomination, so she knows this family appreciates her tremendous efforts and dedication to guiding. We can’t wait until we can get back to face to face meetings with her."