Tower Bridge Brownies
Talk through their experience with flexible volunteering and how it has helped the unit.
A central London unit...
Bee and the team experienced difficulty with external commitments, attendance and organisation. As a team they decided to look at a flexible volunteering model which has allowed the unit to continue and flourish. We spoke to the team to get their opinions on flexible volunteering and how it has helped.
Left to right: volunteers Karen Hibbert, Katie Thomson, Bee Holmes, Iona Turner
How has flexible volunteering helped your unit?
'My leaders will tell me when they definitely can attend, and if they turn up other weeks, that’s a bonus!'
'We have a WhatsApp chat, and our term plan has a column of leaders who have confirmed attendance.'
'The flexibilty means that I know leaders want to be there, and are more energetic, responsive and everyone has fun.'
'Flexible volunteering means I am not scrambling for leaders.'
Bee Holmes, unit leader
Click the image to see their stories
How do you manage subs with flexible volunteers?
'Currently, we include this in the subs the young members pay termly. We ensure our budget will cover all young members + 3 and all leaders + 1 to account for any new members joining, and it means if we end up under budget, we get to have a treat at our end of term party! It is my view that my leaders are there offering their time to help run our unit, and so they shouldn't be out of pocket doing so.'
Bee Holmes, unit leader
Advice for flexible volunteering
Click the icons to see some tips and advice
Hands up if you like flexible volunteering!
'Flexible volunteering has given me the same flexibility and freedom as my leaders. If I can't be there, my leaders know and we're able to arrange cover... and the young members do not miss out.'
Bee Holmes, unit leader
'Girlguiding makes it easy to try volunteering without a big up front commitment, so if you're curious, just have a go. Both the volunteers and the Brownies made me feel welcome from the beginning and the energy of the girls made me want to come back.'
Katie Thomson, unit helper
For more information, click the videos below!
From tips and tricks, to thank you's and praises, check out Girlguiding social media for regular new content.
Katie Thomson, Bee Holmes
'My unit leader is very clear that life comes before volunteering and is supportive of me taking time for myself when needed. I feel empowered to miss a meeting if I have pre-existing plans or if I'm not feeling up for it, but often when I have a busy week, going to Brownies makes me feel better!'
Katie Thomson Unit helper
Karen Hibbert
'I work full time and have a family, so as long as my volunteering time can be flexible, I can fit it in with my other family and work commitments. I'd say, find a unit that suits your lifestyle and works best for you and ask questions about what time commitment is required before you agree to volunteer.'
Karen Hibbert Unit helper
Iona Turner
'It can be difficult to sometimes balance volunteering and family problems but I have been able to set aside time weekly to join the group. It's an amazing opportunity to help girls build their confidence and be part of a meaningful mission.'
Elise House Unit assistant leader
Tower Bridge Brownies
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Transcript
Tower Bridge Brownies
Talk through their experience with flexible volunteering and how it has helped the unit.
A central London unit...
Bee and the team experienced difficulty with external commitments, attendance and organisation. As a team they decided to look at a flexible volunteering model which has allowed the unit to continue and flourish. We spoke to the team to get their opinions on flexible volunteering and how it has helped.
Left to right: volunteers Karen Hibbert, Katie Thomson, Bee Holmes, Iona Turner
How has flexible volunteering helped your unit?
'My leaders will tell me when they definitely can attend, and if they turn up other weeks, that’s a bonus!'
'We have a WhatsApp chat, and our term plan has a column of leaders who have confirmed attendance.'
'The flexibilty means that I know leaders want to be there, and are more energetic, responsive and everyone has fun.'
'Flexible volunteering means I am not scrambling for leaders.'
Bee Holmes, unit leader
Click the image to see their stories
How do you manage subs with flexible volunteers?
'Currently, we include this in the subs the young members pay termly. We ensure our budget will cover all young members + 3 and all leaders + 1 to account for any new members joining, and it means if we end up under budget, we get to have a treat at our end of term party! It is my view that my leaders are there offering their time to help run our unit, and so they shouldn't be out of pocket doing so.'
Bee Holmes, unit leader
Advice for flexible volunteering
Click the icons to see some tips and advice
Hands up if you like flexible volunteering!
'Flexible volunteering has given me the same flexibility and freedom as my leaders. If I can't be there, my leaders know and we're able to arrange cover... and the young members do not miss out.'
Bee Holmes, unit leader
'Girlguiding makes it easy to try volunteering without a big up front commitment, so if you're curious, just have a go. Both the volunteers and the Brownies made me feel welcome from the beginning and the energy of the girls made me want to come back.'
Katie Thomson, unit helper
For more information, click the videos below!
From tips and tricks, to thank you's and praises, check out Girlguiding social media for regular new content.
Katie Thomson, Bee Holmes
'My unit leader is very clear that life comes before volunteering and is supportive of me taking time for myself when needed. I feel empowered to miss a meeting if I have pre-existing plans or if I'm not feeling up for it, but often when I have a busy week, going to Brownies makes me feel better!'
Katie Thomson Unit helper
Karen Hibbert
'I work full time and have a family, so as long as my volunteering time can be flexible, I can fit it in with my other family and work commitments. I'd say, find a unit that suits your lifestyle and works best for you and ask questions about what time commitment is required before you agree to volunteer.'
Karen Hibbert Unit helper
Iona Turner
'It can be difficult to sometimes balance volunteering and family problems but I have been able to set aside time weekly to join the group. It's an amazing opportunity to help girls build their confidence and be part of a meaningful mission.'
Elise House Unit assistant leader