Applications are open until Friday March 13th 2026.
This grant is available to existing units (with active young members at the start of the project) which have increased their capacity and either increased their active young members or welcomed new-to-guiding volunteers during the project (April 2025 - March 2026).
The following grants are available:
- Subs grant of £50 per additional active young member (capped at 12 young members or £600)
- Subs grant of £50 per new-to-guiding volunteer with their main role in the unit (capped at 3 volunteers or £150)
- Uniform grant of £50 per additional active young member (capped at 12 young members or £600)
The amount of new active young members/volunteers will be reviewed once the final subs invoice is available in February 2026.
Eligibility criteria:
- The grant applies to Guide and Ranger units which are located in an area of deprivation (either IMD 1-5 or an area eligible for the Youth Investment Fund) or target an underrepresented community.
- Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a measure of relative deprivation, based on a total of 37 separate indicators, covering different aspects of deprivation experienced by individuals living in an area. Each area’s overall deprivation score is ranked. IMD details by postcode can be found here. The Youth Investment Fund (YIF) is funded by the UK Government and aims to transform and level up the out-of-school youth sector. Areas eligible for the YIF can be found here.
- The funding also applies to the following underrepresented groups:
Young people eligible for free school meals
Young people living in poverty
Young people with SEND
Young carers
'Looked after' young people (in the care of their local authority)
Young people who identify as Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME)
Young people with English as an Additional Language
Young people in the secure estate
Young people with poor academic attainment
- The unit must have a capacity on GO.
Please note:
- The grant can only be paid to the unit’s own bank account (i.e. not shared with another unit), not a personal bank account. If the unit does not have its own bank account, then the grant can be paid to the relevant district or division’s bank account.
- For us to confirm your bank account, units will need to provide a copy of the latest bank statement or void cheque/paying in slip. If there is no unit bank account, then you will need to provide a copy of the district or division’s latest bank statement.
- DCMS can request proof of how the funding has been spent. Please keep all receipts for items purchased. Please note, receipts can be requested by the region team at any time.
- Please note any uniform remains the property of the unit and must be returned by any girls who leave the unit. Any girls’ uniform purchased using this funding must be purchased from either your local Volunteer shop or the Girlguiding Shop. You will be required to provide a receipt.
- If a unit closes, any funding unspent must be passed on to the district or division.
- Please note the region team may contact the unit for feedback throughout the project period (1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026).
- If you have any questions or queries, please contact growthandretention@girlguidinglaser.org.uk.