Something from the commissioner...
What fantastic weather we had in April – I hope you managed to relax and enjoy it over the spring break from running weekly meetings and let’s hope the good weather continues as we have lots to look forward to in the summer term – crazy golf, archery, the whole county trip to Whipsnade zoo – Over 1000 members have booked! and Magical Midlands. Many units will be making the most of the longer lighter evenings and taking girls to MacQueen, Jubilee and Bell boating, giving the young members amazing experiences and happy memories.
Our annual awards and thank you evening is at the beautiful Sedgwick Hall on 3 July – save the date we are looking forward to celebrating long service and other special awards and looking back at all we have achieved in previous 12 months.
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EVENTS
What's happening where and when? Click on the Event for further details
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TRAININGS - click on the training for further information
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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
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Whipsnade Zoo - latest information HERE
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DBS help for completing manually on a PC
If you are about to start a disclosure and its for someone who would prefer to do it in person with the verifier, rather than digitally - first have the volunteer sign into their email on your PC or forward the email with the username code). Find the DBS email and click on the login button within. This will take to you Atlantic Data sign in screen.
Input the email address and date of birth of the volunteer that matches GO. Change the password, include numbers and special characters and capitals. Update and input the new password again.
You will have the option at the bottom of the screen to choose to complete the application manually. Click on this and then the complete here and now button. You will now be able to proceed with the manual application in the old way.
A reminder that if someone fails to complete their DBS digitally it does not automatically reset and allow them to start again. The commissioner has to contact disclosures@girlguiding.org.uk and ask them to cancel and regenerate a new application to allow the volunteer to make a different choice.
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Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP) training course
Northamptonshire Sport, courtesy of the Northamptonshire Federation of Disability Sport, is delighted to offer you access to the Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP) training course.
The course will upskill you, your employees, and your volunteers in making activities fun and inclusive for everyone. It is ideal for the sport and leisure sector, community groups and organisations, disability organisations and individuals supporting disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.
When is the course: 19 May 2025 |18:00 -21:00 |
Cost: The Original price was £30.00. We have subsidised to £10.00
Where: Northgate School Arts College, Northampton, NN2 6LR.
You can book via our website here https://www.northamptonshiresport.org/type/courses/inclusive-activity-programme/
What will you learn?
The learning package will help you:
- Understand how to apply a range of tools to make your activities more inclusive.
- Increase your confidence and competence to include disabled people in your activities.
- Reflect on your current delivery and identify how you can improve.
- Access further support, training and opportunities for yourself and disabled people you work with.
| | Volunteer at Our Chalet in Autumn 2025! | | |
Are you an active member of Guiding/Scouting ready to give back to the Movement while learning new skills?
We're looking for hard workers with good spoken English and an eagerness to work in multicultural teams to join us from 24 August to 5 November 2025!
Volunteers receive accommodation, meals, visas, and health insurance. Travel scholarships are available for those with a financial need.
Applicants must be available for the entire season, age 18+, and fit to work long days and live and work in the mountains in shared housing.
For more information and to apply, visit the link
Deadline 7th May 2025! #ourchalet
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Poacher 2026 International Jamboree
Bookings have opened for the adventure of a lifetime in Lincolnshire! Your group can join 5,000 Scouts and Guides from across the world for a huge range of adventurous activities, exciting entertainments and lasting friendships 1 - 8 August 2026.
Participant fee: £300
Leader fee: £30
More details can be found at www.poacher.org.uk - bookings are open until 31st October 2025, or until the event is full - whichever comes sooner.
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AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE TALK
My name is Vicky and I work at The Air Ambulance Service which operates your local air ambulance
We run an outreach programme for local youth groups where we attend to share information about our service, what we do and how we help people and we’d be delighted to attend your groups to deliver this presentation. The presentation takes approximately 20 minutes with time for questions at the end and is suitable for children of all ages. There would be no cost for our visit.
If you are interested or would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you would like to learn more about our talks or organise a visit, please email schools@theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999. Alternatively, please visit our website using the link below:
The Air Ambulance Service
We look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks
Vicky Ambery
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We are holding an event on the day of the anniversary, Saturday 14th June. The event that is marking the 380th anniversary of the Battle of Naseby in 1645. On that day, children will be invited to take part in a mock battle (no weapons will be used!) It will show the movements of the armies on one of the fields where the actual action took place. They will get to experience the sights and sounds of the battle, work with other youth groups and learn about their local history through a hands-on experience. They can either attend for the day or camp for the weekend to get the full experience.
It is key on the weekend itself, if they want to take part in the re-enactment that they are supported by an adult. To give you a flavour of the weekend I can also arrange for somebody to come out and give a talk to your groups that are interested in attending. This would include a short talk about the civil war, an introduction to the main protagonists, a demonstration of weaponry, drums and colours, a discussion of the battle itself and why it still matters. All the events offered are free of charge, and this has been made possible by players of the National Lottery
We can provide any Units interested with more information around the weekend or for a visit an any other time. Contact Julie Ball - julie.ball@naseby.com Education & Youth Engagement Officer
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Calling all Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers! The Regain Cycling Challenge is back for 2025 and once again open to everyone in the Girlguiding community. This exciting event is a great opportunity for groups to camp, earn badges, take on a challenge and meet some very inspirational people. Friday 27th and Saturday 28th June 2025
For more information and to book for your group please visit: www.regainsportscharity.com
T: 07967 347441 E: calum@regainsportscharity.com
Why should your group take part in the Regain Cycling Challenge 2025?
Regain is the only charity dedicated to improving the independence of all British men and women who have become tetraplegic (paralysed) through a sports injury. The Regain Cycling challenge is a great opportunity for your group to camp, take part in an exciting challenge, earn badges and meet some of our very inspirational beneficiaries. Last year we had over 100 Scouts take part and they all had an amazing time! This year we’re inviting the whole Scouting and Girlguiding communities along. We have two Girl Guide options available for the Regain Cycling Challenge 2025: Friday and Saturday (£30 per Girl Guide) • Camping on the Friday night • Breakfast on Saturday morning • Entry into the cycling challenge • Snacks and water whilst cycling • Fully supported event with mechanics and first aid • Packed lunch • Inspirational talk from a Regain Beneficiary • Bike Maintenance Talk • A Medal Saturday Only (£20 per Girl Guide) • Entry into the cycling challenge • Snacks and water whilst cycling • Fully supported event with mechanics and first aid • Packed lunch • A Medal
| | | | 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. | | |
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.
| | 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.
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Girlguiding Northamptonshire are celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics with a challenge badge
Girlguiding in motion
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MacQueen House
AGM Thursday 8 May 7pm - All welcome
Pudding evening 10 June 7pm at St Giles Church £10
email macqueen@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk
Summer Buffet Thursday 10 July 2025 at 12.00 for 12.30pm
Information and availability for MacQueen HERE
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Jubilee Campsite
10th May Adult campfire 7.00-9.00pm
12th June Quiz & AGM
Information and availability for campsite HERE
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Adult Campfire on Saturday 10th May 19.00-21.00 All Welcome
A tour of the site for first timers from 18.00 and a good old fashioned campfire with drinks and light refreshments. No charge but donations always welcome!
Email go@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk with your attendance numbers.
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Tuptonia dates for 2025
There is still availabilty for evening trips while Tuptonia is at Weedon (26th May - 18th July). Why not take advantage of the long light evenings and give your girls a unique experience? It's a good way to introduce narrowboating and can be a taster for a longer trip.
Book via tuptonia@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk
Weedon dates - 26th May to 18th July 2025
The one-way journeys between Lapworth and Weedon can be booked as a trip – it normally takes 3 days but can be extended if you prefer a more leisurely time!
For further details about this please contact tuptonia@gmail.com
Training weekends for skipper and confident crew are 4th-6th April and 9th – 11th May For more information or to book a place please contact tuptonia.trainings@gmail.com
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County Shop - Kettering
Open times Monday 5.00pm to 7.00pm and Saturday 10.00am 12.00 noon
shop@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk
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Division Shop Trefoil House
Open Times - Wednesday 12 noon to 7.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm
For Hire
Northampton Trefoil House has a room upstairs that can be hired for meetings and small gatherings, up to 50 people. Email
trefoilhousebooking1910@gmail.com
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County Office - The Unity Centre - Opening times
9.30am-12.30pm Weekdays in term-time
During school holidays it is always best to phone 01604 648740 or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk
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