Guiding in unusual locations
Guiding in unusual locations
From a fire station to a model railway, guiding can happen pretty much anywhere!
There are lots of practical things to think about when you’re choosing a place to have regular unit meetings. Depending on where you are and the needs of your young members, the options available can vary a lot, sometimes in surprising ways! Here, some volunteers share the stories of how they found great unit meeting venues that are a little more unusual than some of the options you might have heard of...
All aboard tiny trains!
Holly runs her Ranger unit at a model railway in the West Midlands. It was an option that came about through personal connections and a casual conversation...
‘My husband is the chief engineer here, and we both volunteer on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. I was volunteering with a Guide unit at the time, and we didn’t offer a Ranger option in the district for the girls after they had outgrown guides. When one of the club members asked about how my guides were – in passing, I mentioned it, and they then offered us the space.
It’s a beautiful, expansive location that holds special memories for me: we even had a pre-wedding party here the night before our wedding. As a Rainbow, Brownie, and Guide, we had always met in church halls, so using a venue like this was an unexpected but delightful change from the ‘normal’ I’d known.’
‘We’ve been meeting here since 2009. The site has expanded to nearly double its size from when we first came, with a new building too. The owners were keen to plant more trees, and we took advantage of an offer from the Woodland Trust for Guides and Scouts to apply for trees that they can plant. We told them what space we had, and we were donated over 500 trees. We organised a district event where girls and their parents helped plant them. These trees have transformed the area into a vibrant wildlife haven; we have seen wild rabbits, pheasants, owls, and even muntjac deer on site.’
‘The space and location are incredibly inspiring. We’ve had girls who have gone on to study engineering degrees and pursue careers in STEM, as well as others who now work in wildlife conservation around the world. The venue encourages a spirit of adventure; It’s a place where practical skills meet adventure, and that mix truly energises the unit.’
A free unit meeting venue? It's a Dun-deal
When Eileen's local church hall was sold, she found an unusual meeting place for her Guide unit that would help bring the costs of guiding down and where they could also feel at home within their community.
This unit’s on fire (don’t worry, they’ve done the risk assessments)
When Jude’s local church hall raised their rents, she had a look around for other options for her Rainbow and Brownie units to meet. She was surprised to find a great option with their local fire station...
‘When our old venue (the church hall) increased the rent, we had to make a choice, either raise subs or find somewhere new to meet. We wanted to keep our units as inclusive as possible, so increasing costs wasn’t really an option. Our local parish council was really helpful, they had recently funded a new kitchen at the fire station and were keen for the building to be used by the community, it lined up almost perfectly!
‘It’s worked out really well. Unlike a church hall, the fire station is a neutral space, which suits us as we’re not a religious unit. It’s also great for strengthening our community links. The fire station is at risk of closure or being scaled back so the firefighters are keen to show how much they’re part of the local community - it’s a good partnership. The parents were really supportive too. They understood that we needed to move to keep subs affordable. The fire station is an exciting place to meet and it's also very central in our area, so it’s easy to get to!’
‘One of the most useful things we’ve done is learning first aid. All our Rainbows and Brownies completed their first aid skills builders, which was a real achievement. They learned how to put together a first aid kit, practised the recovery position, and gained confidence in what to do in an emergency. It felt really fitting to learn these skills in a fire station, where emergencies are part of everyday life.’
‘Of course, there have been some really exciting moments too! The girls have had the chance to sit in the fire engine, try out the hoses, and even wear some of the firefighters’ protective gear. We also got to watch the firefighters train with a rescue drone, which was very exciting to see. And every now and then, we see the firefighters rush off to a real emergency, which definitely adds a bit of excitement to our meetings!
‘It’s also great having strong female role models around. We have a number of female firefighters, which is brilliant at showing the girls that they can do anything. It’s important for them to see those career paths as real options for their future.’
‘My advice for other volunteers looking for a space is to think outside the box! Not every unit needs to meet in a village hall or community centre. There are so many spaces out there that might be willing to host a Girlguiding group even if they aren't available to the public for bookings. Fire stations, businesses, and other community buildings might be willing to help. Don’t be afraid to ask - you never know what’s possible until you do!’
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