I’ve been lucky enough to be selected to work in partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) for a GOLD 2023 project in Barbados, alongside the most amazing team!

GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) empowers young women to work in partnership with other Guide Associations around the world to deliver Guiding-based development projects. These projects are tailored to each partner country and range from developing leadership skills to delivering advocacy programmes to young women. 

Some of the objectives our team are working toward:

• To increase the capacity of Girl Guiding in Barbados by supporting the recruitment of new volunteers.
• To develop the leadership skills of volunteers and young members and increase their ability to respond to change.
• To improve the retention rate of young members in Guides and Rangers.
• To support Girl Guiding in Barbados to enhance the programme for young members.
• To increase the long-term sustainability of Girl Guiding in Barbados. 

As someone born into the world of Guiding, with my Mum having been a Guide, then a leader herself, and growing up as a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and now volunteering as a unit leader, I have first-hand been able to experience some of the amazing opportunities Guiding has to offer.

I'm incredibly grateful to be able to share the skills and knowledge I've learned so far in my Guiding journey and can’t wait to learn more from those I am yet to meet!

Your donations will go toward supporting the development of the Guiding Association of Barbados and enhancing the programme for young girls and volunteers.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support. I can’t wait to share more about this exciting opportunity with you!

If you have any questions about GOLD, Girlguiding or are interested in volunteering or joining Girlguiding please feel free to reach out to me at alice_ellwood@hotmail.co.uk.