Words of wellbeing
We spoke to three volunteers and Girlguiding Advocates about how they’ve managed their wellbeing during the past year and how being part of Girlguiding has made a difference to them and the girls in their units.
We’ve all found different ways to manage our wellbeing over the last year.
For some, it’s making time to do an activity they enjoy, for others, it’s catching up with friends over Zoom.
It’s a tricky road, negotiating the ups and downs of living through a pandemic, and everyone’s experience is different.
We spoke to three volunteers, who are also Girlguiding Advocates, about how they’ve managed their wellbeing during the past year.
‘Guides and Rangers has been a real lifeline, it's something to focus on and look forward to each week,’ says Maddie Wray-Reynolds, leader at 4th Cheltenham Guides. ‘Being there for the girls in your unit is very helpful. Our girls like to have a little rant to us each week which helps to release some steam! We have also done lots of mindfulness activities too. ‘It’s always nice to have a little natter after our meetings. Never underestimate the power of some tea and a chat. Just being there to listen and being understanding goes a long way.’
We released research back in February showing the impact the pandemic is having on girls and young women. Over half of girls aged 15-18 say they feel more overwhelmed and anxious than during the first lockdown, while three quarters say the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health. But the good news is being part of Girlguiding is having a positive effect on wellbeing. Like Maddie, 73% of girls aged 4-18 said virtual guiding meetings have given them something to look forward to. And 65% say being part of Girlguiding during the pandemic has helped them to feel more connected and less lonely. For Alice Smith, a young leader at 16th St Albans Brownies and Rainbows, and a Ranger at St Albans South Rangers, lockdown coincided with a particularly challenging time. ‘I woke up one morning early into the pandemic and found I had lost feeling in my foot,’ she says. ‘I then started to lose feeling in both feet and, eventually, both legs. I suffer with a connective tissue disorder and Dyautonomia, a condition where the autonomic nervous system does not work properly. I was then diagnosed with a rare neurological condition too. ‘I had to learn to walk again and it was incredibly hard. Learning to walk again is a huge thing to do and even harder during a global pandemic!’
“My advice to any young women and girls during this time is to focus on what you can do and not what you can't”
Being part of Girlguiding has given Alice something to concentrate on as well as a valuable support network that has helped her wellbeing. ‘My advice to any young women and girls during this time is to focus on what you can do and not what you can't. That’s what I learnt while trying to walk again, just do the best you can and take each day one at a time. I appreciate going for walks so much now and go when I can. I don’t take anything for granted. ‘I'm super lucky to be part of a wonderful set of leadership teams at both Brownies and Rainbows and have amazing leaders at Rangers. They have spoken to us and planned the programme around what we want to do and how we are feeling. My leaders have been great, from adapting activities so I can join them and even just checking in.' And Alice has some advice for those struggling with their wellbeing. ‘Make sure to take care of yourself. If you need to have a week off for whatever reason, do it. If you need help, ask your commissioner. We are one big guiding family and if you need to put your work or education first there will be people who understand and will support you.’
“I think many of us in guiding are people who live life at 100 miles an hour, doing everything we can, and this opportunity to take a break has been nice”
For Kate Roberts, a leader at 1st Bookham Rangers, worries about the future have played on her mind during the pandemic. ‘I graduated from university last year and the biggest impact has been the constant worry about employment. The uncertainty of not knowing when we can start planning our lives again is hard. ‘The latest research from Girlguiding that shows women and girls are struggling doesn’t surprise me, I know I have struggled immensely, and I know our members have too. While it’s important we acknowledge the resilience our young people have developed, we also need to fully appreciate it may take a long time for girl’s mental health to return to pre-lockdown levels.’ Kate has tried to find the positives in the change and uncertainty. During the first lockdown she moved back to her parents’ home and enjoyed taking the time to slow down. ‘I think many of us in guiding are people who live life at 100 miles an hour, doing everything we can, and this opportunity to take a break has been nice. ‘I don’t have to come out of this as the ‘new me’, the current me is perfectly good enough. We’re consuming so much online right now and the constant noise of social media can make you think you aren’t doing enough. There is no pressure during this time to have achieved everything under the sun, you made it through and that’s what matters most.’
For resources and information on mental health and wellbeing, take a look at how to support yourself and others during coronavirus.
A selection of wellbeing activities are available as part of Adventures at home for you to run with your unit.
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