This year, I am proud to share our new impact report which highlights girls in Girlguiding are on average 30% more confident than UK girls. Girls are navigating the ever-changing issues that come with growing up in a modern world. They’re faced with emerging technology, online misogyny, worries about their wellbeing and the environment. And many more. At a time when much of their world exists online, the need for safe, supportive spaces in real life has never been more crucial. Girls' confidence in Girlguiding is higher on average than UK girls, even when we control for key demographic factors, like ethnicity and disability, which we know have an impact on the way girls feel. As someone who gets to meet Girlguiding girls and young women weekly, this doesn’t surprise me. Our approach, and the work of our volunteers, supports girls in building their wellbeing, encouraging them to try new things and gives them the confidence to take on their bright futures.

We also now understand the social value of Girlguiding for our young members. This describes the positive impact our organisation is having on their wellbeing, and therefore society. Using a government-approved method, we can see that the social value of Girlguiding equates to more than £1 billion over the year. This has shown that the social value for our young members aged 7-11 is £2,300 per year. That increases to £9,900 per year for girls aged 11-18. To compare, according to Sport England, taking part in physical activity generates, on average, £4,300 for an 11-16-year-old and £3,100 for a 7-10-year-old.

More than 10,000 girls and their parents or carers took part in this research. The results prove the strength of their voices. It shows the positive impact that our beloved organisation is having on young people and volunteers’ confidence and wellbeing every day across the UK. The skills they learn with us are supporting their social and emotional development in ways that will stretch far beyond their time in Girlguiding. The volunteers that show up for them every day are helping them to feel their best, build healthier relationships and stronger, more connected communities.

Girlguiding is needed now more than ever. We want to see an equal world where all girls feel happy, safe and can enjoy fulfilling lives. I am confident that, together, we will achieve our 2030 ambition to reach more girls where they are, building their confidence when they need it the most. But we can’t do it alone. We want to work in partnership with organisations, schools and communities. To reach more girls now and in the future. So more girls will know they can do anything.