Lone guiding
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Girlguiding UK's Lone
Scheme aims to allow all girls and women the chance to take part in
guiding, whether or not they are able to attend regular
meetings.
Members may become Lones because:
- there is no unit for a particular age group in the local
area
- there is a long waiting list to join the local unit
- other commitments, including studies and caring
responsibilities, prevent regular attendance at meetings
- transport to and from meetings is a problem
- an illness or disability prevents regular attendance at
meetings
The Lone Scheme is available to Rainbows, Brownies, Guides,
Senior Section, adult Leaders and Trefoil Guild members. Lone
Support Groups may be set up for Trainers unable to meet their
peers on a regular basis. Local Counties are notified of new Lones,
so they can invite the girls or young women to local events such as
camps, holidays or fun days, and ensure that Lone adults have the
opportunity to participate in social events, meetings and
trainings.
Young members
Young Lones are linked with a Leader, who keeps in touch by
newsletter, email, post,telephone, audio tape or text. She will
help to choose activities, plan them and suggest ways to carry them
out.
Lones might manage to attend to a local unit occasionally, or
choose to stay in touch with a former unit. The Region may also
organise special events where Lones can meet one another and their
Leaders.
Lones follow the normal guiding programme for their section, and
can take part in many different activities and challenges. For
example, Lone Guides have completed their
Baden-Powell Challenge Award (the highest award a Guide can
work for) while Lone Senior Section members have gained the
Queen's Guide Award (the highest award a young woman in guiding
can attain) and
Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award, and been selected for
GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) trips. Lones
from all sections attend local and Regional camps and events and
gain a wide variety of badges. Some Lone Guides work regularly with
local Brownies and Rainbows as Pack Leaders or Rainbow Helpers.
Lone guiding is very flexible and can fit in around other
commitments. Family members and friends can become involved with
activities and practising for badges. Support and encouragement
from home plays a big part in Lone guiding, especially for the
younger age groups.
Adults
Adult Leaders become involved with the Lone Scheme for a variety
of reasons. Often a change in work or family circumstances means
they are unable to make a regular commitment to a unit. The Lone
Scheme is uniquely suited to women in this situation as it allows
them to continue to work directly with girls and young women, but
in a way which suits them. It also acts as a bridge from which they
can later return to local units.
Other Leaders have chosen to get involved with Lones while also
running a unit, often a small unit. It can be a satisfying addition
for Leaders who are already planning a good programme of activities
for a unit.
Lone Leaders who are also involved with local Counties have all
sectional training and mentoring provided directly by the County
(except for specific Lone-related training). Lones only Leaders
will have another Lone Leader as mentor, but training and
additional support will be sourced by the Country/Region Lones
Adviser, who works with the local County to ensure that direct
support is also available.
Further information
For information about the Lone Scheme in a particular area,
contact Membership
Support Services.
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