What is peer education?
Peer educators are trained to deliver interactive workshops on topics that matter today to Brownies, Guides and Rangers and groups of similar age outside of Girlguiding. Peer educators draw on their own experiences allowing young members to fully engage and relate and empower younger girls to combat issues they may face in life, inspiring them and equipping them with life-long skills. Click here to find out more about peer education.
What should I expect?
At this basic training weekend, you’ll learn the skills necessary to be a peer educator, receive training in the Breaking Free resource which helps young members identify and challenge stereotypes, empowering them to enjoy their hobbies, gain skills they’re interested in and bust the restrictions that so-called ‘stereotypes’ could place on their lives. You’ll leave equipped with the ability to start delivering sessions in your county!
Peer education training weekends are usually over-subscribed. This is a medium scale event with a maximum of 50 members expected to attend. The weekend is jam-packed with information and activities to support as many young people as possible to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to move forward as a peer educator. Our experienced training team keep an eye on all participants and offer feedback multiple times throughout the weekend. Participants are expected to take an active part in all elements of the weekend, including giving and receiving feedback. If you don’t meet the minimum standard required to become a peer educator, a member of the training team will explore this with you and you may be asked to come back in the future or be guided towards a different opportunity that could suit you better
The details
Who: Young Leaders, Rangers and adults aged 14-25
When: 6.30pm Friday 11 September – 4pm Sunday 13 September 2026
Where: Earth House, Northern Heights, Edgwarebury Lane, Elstree, WD6 3RG
Cost: £50
Travel arrangements
Participants should make their own way to the venue. Northen Heights is easily accessible from the M1 and A1. The closest stations are Edgware (Underground Northern Line) or Elstree and Borehamwood (National Rail from Sutton via London St Pancras towards St Albans). We can arrange lifts to the venue from the station, with advance notice.
Travel expenses are not covered by Girlguiding London and South East England but we would encourage you to contact your county team as your county may be able to support you. If the area in which you Guide is within an area of high deprivation, you may be able to apply for a Girlguiding London and South East England grant with approval from your commissioner.
How do I become a peer educator?
- Sign up to attend basic training using this form. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, after which a waiting list will be operated. Registration closes 5pm Monday 31 August or before if event capacity is reached.
- Send your payment using the details on the form to secure your place. Your place will be confirmed via email once we receive your payment. Please note, should you be unable to make the event, the payment will not be refundable unless your place can be filled by someone else. If you have any concerns about paying, please contact your county commissioner who may be able to offer financial support.
Pre-training requirements
There are some pre-training requirements which must be completed at least two weeks before the training weekend:
- Complete the peer education e-learning. When you have completed this, log it here so that it can be added to your Go record.
- If you are over 18 you must either have A Safe Space Level 1 & 2 or Safer Guiding. If you are under 18, complete A Safe Space for 14-17 year olds. If you have already completed the relevant training, ensure that this doesn’t run out in the next 40 days before the training event, or you will need to complete the training relevant for your age again. A Safe Space for 14-17 year olds and Safer Guiding training can be accessed on the learning platform but if you have difficulties logging in, do ask your unit leader or commissioner for help.
- Watch the breaking free topic videos and complete the quiz
Introduction call
All participants will need to attend a compulsory information call 6.30 – 7.15pm Thursday 3 September 2026 via Zoom. Parents/carers of those under the age of 18 at the time of the call will need to return an online meeting consent form. During this call you’ll meet the rest of the participants and event team, hear an overview of the event and have the chance to ask any questions.
The Queen’s Guide award & peer education
If you are working towards your Queen’s Guide award attending a peer education basic training weekend can count as your social experience challenge (option 1). If you intend to use the basic training weekend towards your award, you should inform and agree this with your coordinator/mentor and indicate this at the appropriate point on the application form. We are unable to sign off sections of the award without prior confirmation from your coordinator/mentor. After you have qualified as a peer educator, running peer education sessions can also count towards aspects of your award.
Accessibility and inclusion
Our knowledgeable and welcoming training team strive to adapt our training sessions as much as possible but as this is a training weekend and there is content to cover, we are limited in how much we can change. We try our best to be as inclusive as possible and rely on participants being open and honest about their needs with us so we can work with them in the run up to the event.
Participants who have provided information on the application form regarding additional needs or requirements will be invited to attend a short 1:1 inclusion call with the first aider or event lead after bookings close. This conversation provides a space to discuss your needs and consider adjustments which are reasonable within the context of a peer education training weekend. The conversation may include co-creating an event-specific adjustment plan.
Next steps
If you have any questions, please email peereducation@girlguidinglaser.org.uk. If your query is about booking or payment, please contact Jane Harvey via info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk (copying in an adult if you are under 18).
We’ll send out a detailed information pack nearer to the event as well as host the compulsory online session to provide an overview of the weekend.
If you cannot attend this basic training weekend but are still keen to train as a Peer Educator, please register your interest to hear about future training opportunities.
Can’t wait for your training weekend? Follow us on Instagram @laserpeereducation to see what we get up to!
