The dark, dreary days of January are now behind us and we are looking forward to lighter nights and the promise of warmer spring days.  February is here, and our thoughts naturally turn to one of the most significant dates in our Guiding calendar – 22nd February, Thinking Day. This year is especially exciting, as we celebrate the 100th Thinking Day! How will your Division, District or Unit mark this momentous occasion?

We would love to include a County round-up of all your Thinking Day activities in the March edition of News and Views. Please do send in your stories and photographs to News@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk – it’s always wonderful to see the creative ways in which our members come together to celebrate.

February also brings us the annual subscription period. For some units, this can feel a little daunting.  Please don’t worry – if you’ve downloaded your trial invoice and are concerned about funding, your first port of call should be your District or Division Commissioner. Support is always available, so do reach out if you need a helping hand.

Last month, we included a short survey in January’s News and Views asking for your thoughts on how you would like the newsletter presented in future.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.  Kacey, our PR and Communications Lead, and I have reviewed your suggestions.  Many of your ideas are very much doable and, all being well, we hope to start introducing some changes from May.  Some suggestions may take a little longer to put in place, but we’re excited to begin this journey with you.  Interestingly, we found that only 60% of recipients actually open the email, so please do encourage others to open the email and keep up to date.

Half term is almost upon us, and I know several units are heading off for residential adventures – some staying local, others venturing further afield, even internationally.  Wishing you all a wonderful and safe time, filled with laughter, friendship and lasting memories.

As always, if you have any news, photos or stories to share, please let us have them. Here’s to an uplifting and inspiring February for Girlguiding Northamptonshire!

EVENTS

What's happening where and when?

TRAININGS

To complete First Response, or Safer Guiding e-learnings (which replace Safe Space Levels 1, 2 and 3) please visit the Learning Platform

External First Response - All recognised prior learning or external courses will need to be verified through the external first aid area of the learning platform. This will be verified by your region first aid verifier team. You'll be asked to complete your 1st response e-learning (if you haven't already done so) before you're able to upload your external course for verification. You'll be asked to provide your certificate as well as information regarding how your external course has covered the 1st response syllabus

First Response Course - run by Brackley District



Saturday 28th February

Brackley WI and Guide Hall NN13 6AJ

10am - 4.30pm

The Girlguiding course is being delivered by a Midlands Region trainer and will not require additional verification by Region. You will need to complete the first response e-learning before the course can be added to GO. 

The course has been organised by Brackley District and there are a few spare places. The cost is £10 to cover the trainers travelling expenses and hall hire. To find out more including bank details and to book your place please

Email: ggbrackley@btinternet.com and include your membership number. 

First Response Saturday 21 March 2026 9.30-16.00

This training will be held at the County Office, The Unity Centre, Unit 1 Brookfield, Duncan Close, Moulton Park NN3 6WL

Wear uniform or comfortable clothes. Bring a packed lunch and a drink and a paper and pen

This course is being provided by a Girlguiding trainer so is FREE

The first response e-learning will also need to be completed on the learning platform



It'll train you to provide first aid to members in emergencies - in or outside of your unit meeting place. The course was created specifically for members of Girlguiding and The Scout Association

Peer education training - This weekend is open to members aged 14-25

Know someone you think would make an amazing peer educator? Share the information below to get them started on their journey.



To gain the skills required to become a peer educator you need to complete the peer education e-learning, safe space for 14-17 or safer guiding training and attend a peer education training weekend.

Cost: £50 weekend training, £10 Sunday training

Where you are training: The Mills House, Girlguiding Worcestershire Blackmore Camp Site, Malvern

Where you’ll be staying: The Mills House, Girlguiding Worcestershire Blackmore Camp Site, Malvern

When: Friday 6 – Sunday 8 March

Visit Midland Region website for more information

POLAR EXPERIENCE - GRAND UNION DISTRICT

Girls from Grand Union District spent the last day of the Christmas holidays on a Polar expedition. 

They met at Herons Lodge in Milton Keynes where they played lots of fun games to get to know each other, before spending the night there.

The next morning, they set off to catch the bus to the Snozone where they took part in a polar experience and learned about the Arctic and Antarctic, explorers through the ages and the different animals that lived there. 

They planned their kit list before climbing a mountain to set up camp -  and then found out how it would feel to be inside your tent during a blizzard!

They learned how to cope in an emergency and how to rescue someone from the mountain. Then finished the session with some sledging before heading home to get ready for school the next day.

They are all looking forward to our next adventure - when they decide what that will be 😊

Congratulations for completing the Becoming a Leader Training

Niamh Bland - Guilsborough Division

Rothwell Rainbows enjoyed a very informative evening with North Northants First Responders. Sian Clarke

Get ready to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2026 by taking part in DSUK's Sunflower Challenge! 

We would love for your Girl Guiding unit to join us in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by taking part in our Sunflower Challenge. 

What is the Sunflower Challenge? 

Children plant their sunflowers at the start of March and watch their sunflowers grow as we count down to World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March. The challenge serves as a beautiful metaphor for the diversity and individuality that makes each and every child special, and is a great way for children to learn about inclusion, kindness and responsibility. 

Taking part in DSUK'S Sunflower Challenge can help to fulfil requirements for various badges including Make Change, Charities, Gardening, Biodiversity and Grow Your Own.

What's in the pack? 

🌻 Sunflower seeds ready for planting 

🌻 A bright A4 poster to inspire and remind children of the challenge 

🌻 Growing instructions 

🌻 Colourful stickers to reward participation 

🌻 Access to downloadable resources so you can make the most of the challenge For more information and to order your pack visit our website

INSPIRE 18-30

Just for our 18-30 year olds, its free but let us know you are coming

Do you have what it takes to inspire young women aged 18-30, inspire and support them to take part in opportunities. Organise events and social groups and shape young adults in Girlguiding Northamptonshire?

You could be the next Inspire Co-ordinator or could share the role. A great opportunity for Queens Guide!

Start January 2027

Email Shaquillia on inspire@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk for more information.

Design bunting and/or a sign for EID



The Northampton Eid Committee with the support of Northampton Town Council are planning for 2026 Eid Festival.

We are therefore delighted to offer a chance for girlguiding groups to get involved in designing bunting and Eid decorations that will be displayed at the festival for everyone to enjoy.  

This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to share their creativity and be part of a wonderful event that brings the whole town together to celebrate its diversity in the spirit of unity, joy and togetherness from all backgrounds and faiths.

The Eid Festival will be held in May 2026 at Beckets Park, and we would love to showcase your artwork and decorations as part of this year’s festivities by helping us make it a real community celebration.

If you would like to participate, please follow the next steps:

🖌️ How to Get Involved:

• Design bunting, using any materials and size. With wording “Eid Mubarak”
• A2 notice board with wording “Welcome to Northampton Eid Festival” or Eid Mubarak.
• Stars and the moon shapes represent Eid, however we welcome any of your sparkly designs in any size.
• Please bring your finished work to the county office as soon as you can and before 2 April 2026
• All contributions will be displayed at the festival, and participating groups will be acknowledged on event materials and thanked publicly during the event.

We want to thank you for your continued support in making Northampton a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming town for all.

Cllr Rufia Ashraf On behalf of the Northampton Eid Committee

RSVP to office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk with your venue choice

The Going Away With Scheme is a resource for all adults within guiding who have completed the Leadership Qualification and wish to gain a qualification to be able to take their girls away on residential's.

International opportunities!



Leaders and girls visit International Adventures - Girlguiding Midlands for all opportunities

Get ready for 2026 subs Dates you need to know

• Tuesday 20 January 2026 from 12pm: We’ll send an email when your trial invoices are ready to download. You’ll need to check it’s correct. Any changes you make on GO will be shown on your trial invoice the following day. If you’re a commissioner make sure everyone in your area has checked their invoice. 
• Week beginning 2 February 2026: We’ll send you an email reminder if you haven’t downloaded your trial invoice. 
• Monday 16 February 2026, 7pm: No more changes can be made to trial invoices. Please note this date is slightly earlier than in previous years. 
• Tuesday 17 February 2026, from 12pm: Official and final payable invoices will be available to download and pay by card or by cheque. 
• Wednesday 18 February 2026: We'll send an email to let you know that invoices are available and the deadline for payment.   
• Friday 13 March 2026: We'll send a reminder email to the main contact of any level that hasn’t yet paid their official invoice.  
• Friday 27 March 2026, 12pm: All subscription payments must be received in full by this date. 
• Monday 27 April 2026: Districts, divisions, counties and countries or regions will receive their levy amounts, minus any deductions for unpaid invoices

HQ            £36, Region           £8, County         £12 Total            £56  

All the time you spend keeping up to date in your Guiding roles can help work towards a training pin.                        

This includes both e-learnings and face to face trainings - so attending a safe space, first response or county training day will give you hours towards a pin. 

These have been achieved this month;

Training Record Cards are available to print from the county website, so you can record what you do and then apply to the office for your hard-earned brooches. It also explains how to count your hours and what can be included. 

Nights Away Badges

Keep track of your nights away using the record card below. When you reach 1,3,5,7,10,15,25,50,75,100,150 and 200 nights you can celebrate with a Northamptonshire nights away badge.

If you make your purchase from the county office you will need to add on postage unless collecting - order form for that below or purchase via the guiding shops in the usual way.

MacQueen House  

Information and availability for MacQueen HERE

MacQueen House Cleaning

No job too small. If you are free on the following dates the committee would love to see you. (we meet every 2nd Monday in the month)

Monday 9 February 10.00-12.00

MacQueen House Events



Thursday 26 March - Coffee Morning 10.00-12.00

Jubilee Campsite



Information and availability for campsite HERE

Jubilee Cleaning (We meet every 2nd Tuesday)

Tuesday 10 February 2026 10.00-12.00



Celebrating Achievements Across Girlguiding Northamptonshire



If you know someone who has truly made a difference, please fill out the form and send to Awards@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk



Together, let’s continue to shine a spotlight on the inspiring members who help make Girlguiding Northamptonshire such a fantastic and supportive community!

How to contact the HQ safeguarding team

If you have a safeguarding concern, report it. If it’s an emergency and there’s an immediate risk of harm, you must call the emergency services first, and then report to the HQ safeguarding team.

Get in touch during office hours on +44(0)207 834 6242 ext. 3037 or email safeguarding@girlguiding.org.uk

For out of hours emergencies, call +44(0)7508 032997 (5-10pm Monday to Friday; 9am-10pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays).

If we don’t answer your call straight away or it’s outside our office hours, please send us an email explaining your concern, or call us once our lines are open again. Please don’t text the out-of-hours number as we can’t see these messages.

The Queen's Guide

award

The Queen's Guide Award is the highest award you can work towards in Girlguiding.

This award is open to members aged 16 to 30. You have 3 years to complete it or up until your 31st Birthday.

There are 5 sections; Personal Development Challenge, Guiding Challenge, Community Action Challenge, Lead the Way Challenge and Social Experience Challenge.

For more information and to get started, email Rachael and Joanna at queensguide@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Midlands Region Grants – free money

Apply now using the current forms available HERE if your unit or an individual member would benefit from the support.

To make it easier for leaders to apply Region will be updating the application process to just one form in 2026. Look out in the Region newsletter and on the region website for the updated form.  

County Office - The Unity Centre - Opening times

9.30am-12.30pm Weekdays in term-time

During school holidays it is always best to email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk or call 01604 648740 and leave a message

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