Girlguiding stories
Making friends for life
One of the best things about guiding is that it brings people together and gives members the opportunity to make lifelong friends. We hear from three pairs of best pals about how they forged a bond through Girlguiding
A wedding surprise
‘I moved to North Wales with my family when I was six years old. Danie’s mum was the local Brownie leader and she came to our house to chat to my parents about getting me involved. So my first memory of Danie is as a tiny redheaded child, hiding behind her mum. I joined Rainbows and we just really clicked.
‘During high school we were both bullied. We weren’t interested in hair and makeup and wanted to go camping and exploring at weekends, so we were seen as different. Girlguiding gave us a sanctuary where we were free to be ourselves.
‘After school I moved to Edinburgh for university and Danie stayed in North Wales, then moved to London. Girlguiding has been the bond that has kept us together. Last year, I was Danie’s maid of honour at her wedding and I made sure to include a guiding element – I got her unit to be her guard of honour and hold up a garland for the couple to walk under.’
Rosy Burgess, 32 years old, Scottish International Community Action Adviser, and Danielle Gale, 32 years old, Leader, 11th Mitcham Guides
‘Girlguiding has been the bond that has kept us together’
Rosy & Danielle
‘Almost immediately, we realised we worked really well together as a team’
Danielle & Zoe
Rangers to business partners
‘We met around six years ago when we organised a World Thinking Day event together. I was leading a Guide group at the time, and Zoe invited me and my girls to an open day with her Rangers. I went along and clicked so well with Zoe and the rest of the group that I decided to join as a Ranger myself.
‘Almost immediately, we realised we worked really well together as a team. We’re very different – Zoe’s more down to earth, and she’ll take all my crazy ideas and see how we can make them work practically. Not long after I joined, Zoe’s assistant leader left, and she asked whether I would like to help her. We’ve been working together ever since.
‘We’ve organised so many events together, including trips to Disneyland Paris, Thorpe Park and a Rainbows Disco. Around three years ago, we decided to use our experience to start a children’s party business (facebook.com/especiallyevents), and we now host an event every month or so. We dress up as princesses, play games and entertain the kids. It’s always so fun!’
Danielle Ellis, 27 years old, Assistant Leader, Ivel Rangers, and Zoe Swinburn, 27 years old, Leader, Ivel Rangers
Age is just a number
‘I first met Amy when I was leading police cadets – she joined when she was 14 years old and was with us until she was 18. I left, had a daughter, and a few years later when I introduced my daughter to Rainbows, I walked in and there was Amy. We’d got on when she was a cadet, but our proper friendship started growing from there.
‘I missed working with young people so after a while I decided to qualify as a Guide leader myself. Amy and I went through all our training together and were a big support to each other. Today, we help out with each other’s units and we always work so well together as a team.
‘I would honestly say that the age gap doesn’t have an impact on our friendship at all. I don’t think I really act my age, and Amy’s very mature. She always calls me her second mum, and I’ve become close with her mum and sister too. We’re one big family! Recently she even organised a surprise 50th birthday party for me – we’re absolute best buddies!’
Marianne Hovenden, 50 years old, Leader, 13th and 14th St Leonards Brownies, and Amy Worth, 22 years old, Leader, 14th St Leonards Guides
‘We’re one big family… We’re absolute best buddies!’
Marianne & Amy
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