In the Impact & Experience survey in November 2025, we included some questions on unit tasks and challenges, and how region could provide support – with plenty of opportunity for you to give us your thoughts in detail. Thank you to all who filled in the survey. We’ve listened to your feedback and we're taking action. The below gives you an update on some of our activities so far.
Recruiting volunteers
Your views
“More support for recruiting new volunteers - at a recent recruitment drive we were told 'I didn't know you were still going!’”
“Get advertising out there more to recruit people, not just social media platforms but TV, advertising in public places”
"It would be useful to have more practical help and resources, rather than online tips, with recruitment, particularly of leaders.”
Our actions
- Offered support to recruiters across the region on the Volunteer Recruitment Tool (VRT)
- Launched a range of volunteer recruitment materials on the shop with only postage required
- Trialled a volunteer recruitment leafletting campaign across 3 areas in 2 counties
- Launched a new volunteer recruitment challenge pack, Grow Together, with only postage required on badges
- Planning a comprehensive social media campaign to complement HQ’s activity
- Working on a growth & retention area for the region website
Giving volunteers a warm welcome
Your views
“I guess it’s the back and forth emailing with new volunteers, it’s very time consuming and I don’t know a good way around it but it can feel fruitless and time consuming”
Our actions
- Ongoing volunteer enquiry support for commissioners across various counties via our region warm welcome team
- Launched a region email for adult volunteer enquirers to give them a warm welcome, with over 750 enquirers emailed since launch in February 2026
- Continued our ÂŁ50 volunteer warm welcome grant
Driving awareness of guiding and volunteers
Your views
“Help recruiting, raise profile of guiding.”
“Positive PR about what girls in Guiding are enjoying in press and on social media”
“Do an ad campaign to break preconceptions of leaders and guiding”
Our actions
- Guiding for Good is coming back later this year – with a new theme.
- Reviewing our Ambassadors programme
- Planning a new resource to emphasise that Girlguiding is powered by volunteers
- Planning to refresh a range of communications & marketing materials following the new uniform launch
Support for young volunteers
Your views
“Regarding the YL qualification, we don't have internet access, and since the new YLDP has come in we haven't had any interest, but with the old book system, all our YL's completed the YLQ”
“It’s very hard to find time to meet with YLs to encourage and support them to do qualifications.”
“More guidance for rangers who are also YLs who end up stopping once 18 and not being leaders. The awkward university age. When they leave the area temporarily.”
“Converting young leaders to adult volunteers - it would be helpful if there was guidance on this.”
Our actions
- Offered 500 YLDP workbook bundles (workbook, pen & vinyl sticker) with only postage required
- Planning a region YLDP training day for later this year
- Exploring how we help support the transition of young leaders to adult leaders and retaining volunteers through university