County update

June is here already and, behind the scenes, we are continuing to plan for the County’s next chapter. It may have seemed as though the comments shared at the Meet and Greets earlier this year had gone quiet, but please be assured they have not been forgotten.

Some changes are quick wins, such as adding cafetières at Unity, while others need more time and careful planning. Helen, Lesley, Chris and I have spent many hours reviewing County roles, how they fit together, and where we have vacancies to fill.

You may already have spotted the adverts, and a big thank you goes to Kacey for creating such eye-catching role descriptions. Please do take a look. There really is something for everyone, and we would love to hear from you.

We have also started updating the names of several committees so that they align with those used across the Region. Awards will now become Thanks and Recognition, Outdoors will become the Adventure Team, and Queen’s Guides, Young Leaders, Rangers, Inspire, Peer Education, and Duke of Edinburgh will all sit within Youth Engagement.

Events and highlights

Over the last few months, the County has received invitations to a wide range of local events, from Gang Shows to taking part in the Armed Forces Day Parade. Please do have a look and sign up if you can. There will be a public relations stand, as well as the opportunity to join the parade itself, and we would love to see both girls and volunteers involved. We are also very fortunate to have such a strong public relations, communications and growth team in Mel and Kacey, who work tirelessly to keep Girlguiding Northamptonshire visible and well represented across the county.

One of the highlights of recent weeks was attending the presentation of a cheque to the Hope Centre following the Sleep Out to Help Out. It was a wonderful moment and a fantastic achievement for Chris and her team, especially as the event was organised in such a short space of time.

Finally, thank you for everything you do for Girlguiding Northamptonshire. Whether you help once a week with your local Rainbow unit or give your time in several different roles, every contribution matters, and every volunteer is truly valued.

Mandy

Northamptonshire County Commissioner

16 July 2026 - 18.45

County Thanks and Recognition evening is being held at Barton Seagrave Village Hall, 11 Bertone Road, Kettering, NN15 6WF, this will be an informal event.

A further formal event will take place early in the new year at a venue to be confirmed. Those receiving awards will be invited to the formal event and are very welcome to attend both events.

Please RSVP your numbers and any dietary requirements to office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

EVENTS

What's happening where and when?

Roller Disco Extravaganza!

Saturday 24 October 2026

Calling all Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers/Young Leaders

• Rainbows & Brownies 12 noon -2.00pm
• Guides & Rangers/Young Leaders 2.30pm-4.30pm

Get your skates on and join us for a fun-filled Roller Disco. Dance, laugh and roll with your friends to some brilliant tunes!

Venue - Benham Sports Centre, Moulton Park, Northampton

Cost £10 including a badge for all skating

TRAININGS

IMPORTANT - If you do not complete your required safer guiding training in the 40 day period given, your role will be ended by HQ. Please book on to the face to face training below or complete online ASAP

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

UPCOMING FIRST RESPONSE TRAININGS

All trainings 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 FREE

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

Lynsey McIntosh is the training co-ordinator and adult support contact so please email her on training@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Nicky Smith is the Leader in Training co-ordinator email ldp@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Lesley Ingle is the Commissioner Mentor and Leader in Training Mentor and can be contacted on accleadership@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Could you help in one of these roles? Click on the role to find out more about it and what is required

• County Rainbow Adviser
• County Finance Committee Member
• County PR & Growth Team Member
• County Walking Adviser
• County Events Coordinator
• County Young Leader Adviser
• County Duke of Edinburgh Adviser
• County Secretary
• County Trustee
• North East Division Commissioner
• Isham Division Commissioner
• South Division Commissioner
• Warden Hill & Kingthorn District Commissioner

Apply using the forms below

• County role application form PDF
• County role application form WORD DOC

Come and be part of the parade in Northampton Town Centre. Open to Brownies 7 years and up, Guides, Rangers/Young Leaders, Trefoil - Everyone welcome!

Dress in your best uniform and show the town what Girlguiding in Northamptonshire looks like as part of a parade.

There will be a static event on the Market Square and parade on Abington Street

The event will be from 10.00 – 15.00 featuring entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, including musical stage performances and speeches/interviews, vehicle display and AFD charity/community stalls, plus face-painting and balloon modelling for the little ones.   

The parade muster point for 2026 is the top of Abington Street from approx. 09.00; step off will be at 10.00 marching down Abington Street, across Wood Hill, past the Guildhall via St Gilles Square, onto St Giles Street, returning to Abington Street via Fish Street to fall out.

Register below to provide us with your numbers so we can co-ordinate with the council before the event.

Girlguiding Northamptonshire presented Chris from the Northampton Hope Centre a cheque for a fabulous £1297.50! due to the Big Sleepout held in March.

Thanks to all who supported, donated and took part.

Girlguiding Northamptonshire Gives Back

It maybe Summer but before you know it, Christmas will be upon us!

Many local charities, like the Hope Centre, often need extra supplies to help them carry out their fantastic work during this time of year. We are looking at what Girlguiding can do to help.

We would like our county units to join forces in coming together as part of our Give Back campaign. We will be looking for units to help collect the necessary items and then a team to come together to put together the packages which will be given to the nominated charities.

We will be working with the fantastic team at the Hope Centre to choose a number of local Charities and find out what they need to in order to help other people and are looking at putting together a Badge for all those who join in.

More details and participant sign-up to come....

Archery Taster Day

We had an amazing time at our Archery Taster Day in May. We loved seeing everyone from Rainbows to Rangers, and our leaders too, giving it a go, building confidence and finding hidden talent

We’re so proud of all our girls who stepped up, took aim, and gave it their best shot - a brilliant way to celebrate #StartArcheryWeek2026

32^nd All Saints Kettering Rainbow Guides have been working hard on their Eco Award. Where we meet at Kettering All Saints Parish Church the church already has their own Gold Eco award! So the Leaders thought if the Rainbows agreed they could go for their Rainbow Gold award. Of course they said yes, mainly because they love working in the church gardens when “Mandy” is around getting muddy and wet.

We followed the Girlguiding’s Award syllabus as a Unit rather than individually. An initial survey was carried out to see where Rainbows and their families could reduce their carbon footprint. The themes being Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Our girls aged 4-6 years started up a library to swap books each week so parents didn’t need to buy new books and to re-use and recycle them. This has proved to be very popular and has encouraged more reading at home or listening whilst stories are read to them. Everyone gets a chance to be the librarian.

They have planted “disco squash” and sunflowers in the church gardens and watered them and cared for them. They also hunted for insects in a log pile which caused a few squeals when the insects started to try and hide again!

It is great to be able to encourage their inquisitive natures and see something that they have planted, watered, covered at night against the low temperatures, and the leaves multiplying and growing taller each week. They are really proud to have transplanted the plants to take them home to give them more space, more water and sunlight!

Something that surprised the Leaders was that the girls already saved water by not leaving the taps running whilst cleaning their teeth, and so they encouraged their adults to turn off the tap too!

The girls made a sticker to go on the light switch at home to turn off lights when not in use. It was an owl with a large beak and called “tweak my beak”. It is to save more electricity at home and in the church hall. Never underestimate what fun you can have with nature at young ages.

The girls received their Rainbow Eco Award badge and certificate upon completion. (Permission gained for photos.)

Angela Brett (Rainbow Guide Leader)

Northants County Cricket Club opened their doors to members from all sections of Girlguiding for two evening taster sessions in April.

Rainbows and Brownies had a chance to learn some batting skills and put their newly learnt skills into practice with a county coach bowling for them.

They had lots of fun diving onto the crash mats to catch the balls.          

The Guides and Rangers worked together to learn some batting & bowling skills. They also learnt how to stand when ready to bat and stepping into receive the ball.

All their batting and catching skills, where put into practice session with a mini-Cricket game to round off a fun session.

All participants received a voucher for free Cricket training sessions at a local Northamptonshire club pitch.

The girls all had a great time thanks to the Women’s Cricket coach’s and their team of helpers.

A massive thanks to all those who made these evenings such a success, looking forward to the next one.

On the early May Bank Holiday, 1^st Spratton Brownies hosted an afternoon tea for the girls, their parents and siblings. There were crafts, board games, outdoor games, sunflower seed planting and lots of food (courtesy of a bring and share arrangement). Everyone had a great time, and the Brownies all earnt two challenge badges - Anglia's Wellbeing Challenge and Cambridgeshire West's Sunflower Challenge – Katherine Rose - Leader

This year’s Panto Sleeping Beauty at Milton Keynes theatre haS just approved a new date – Fri 8 Jan 7pm. Plus, Circle Seats in Jan are now just £13.75 including a free ice cream!

Chart-topping superstar Alexandra Burke stars as the wicked Carabosse, bringing her powerhouse vocals to this spellbinding festive spectacular. Joining her is children’s television favourite Richard Cadell as Muddles, alongside his lovable friends Sooty and Sweep, plus fabulous panto dame Ceri Dupree as Queen Passionella. When Princess Aurora is cursed by her wicked aunt and pricks her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel, the kingdom is thrown into chaos and she falls into a deep enchanted sleep. Can true love break the spell? Will good triumph over evil?

Find out in a panto packed with music, laugh-out-loud comedy and dazzling special effects, perfect for the whole family.

Dec 8, 9 & 10 -7pm 

Dec 15, 16 & 17 -7pm

Jan 4, 6, 7 & 8 - 7pm

For Uniform Groups of 10+, including 1 free leader per 10 youth

December performances £17.75 Circle Bands B-D, £15.75 Upper Circle Bands B-D

January Performances £15.75 Stalls, £13.75 Circle/Upper Circle Bands A-D

Includes 1 free ice cream per paid ticket! Groups reserve now, pay later with no deposit or fees to pay! Don’t get caught snoozing, book your tickets now!

To make your reservation please contact the Group Sales Team on either groupsales@atgtickets.com or 0207 206 1174.

To see all discounts available to group bookers click HERE

West Mercia have organised a Rainbow & Brownie outdoor day at Blackwell for a bugs day out and have spaces available. 

If any units are interested in attending please use the button below to book

Get planning for the final half term of the academic year. Provide your Youth Group with the opportunity to experience a unique and fun-filled activity at Climb Quest Milton Keynes.

Climb Quest offers private hire which includes 90 minutes of epic fun. Start your Climb Quest journey with a 30-minute safety briefing, followed by 60 minutes to scale over 25 climbing walls plus the chance to try our 2 Extreme Challenges!

⭐Exclusive sessions are available for 15 - 40 climbers

⭐£15 per climber

⭐Available weekday evenings, term-time

If you would like to treat your Youth Group between June and July, please contact our team to discuss availability and make suitable arrangements by emailing

mk@climbquest.co.uk

Join the Big Bases Appeal – Buy a Brick Challenge

The Air Ambulance Service is inviting schools and youth groups to join an exciting challenge that turns small actions into big impact.

The Air Ambulance Service is building two brand new, state of the art air bases that will support our crews as they save lives in our communities for generations to come. And your girls can help build them, one brick at a time.

How to take part

Sign up for a free challenge pack which includes a large base themed poster and colourful brick stickers. Girls simply make a suggested £1 donation to buy a ‘brick’, and add it to your Units’s base poster and watch your base grow!

Why not make a day of it? Add non-uniform, a mini fundraiser, or any fun activity to help your units hit their target and complete their base. We have included a handy hints and tips sheet in the pack to spark ideas!

From your Unit to a real airbase

Once your fundraising/poster is complete, your can use your donated funds to buy:

• A virtual brick on our digital wall of recognition (minimum £50), or
• A physical engraved brick at our new air ambulance base (minimum £250)

Your girls’ bricks won’t just fill a poster, they will help build the future bases our crews will rely on when responding to emergencies, day and night.

Be part of the build. Request your free pack today and start building your units’s base. We’d be delighted to have you involved.

Together, you can help us build the future for our vital services

Bring the Battle of Naseby to Your Meeting Place

Discover the story of Naseby 1645 by welcoming a member of our team to your meeting place.

You’ll learn: why the battle took place, what happened on the day, what the aftermath meant for the Civil War

There’s also the chance to handle replica weapons and uniforms used at the battle — a hands-on experience that really brings history to life.

Leaders:

Naseby 1645 is a ready-made programme for Scouts, Girl Guides and Cadets meetings. The team will run most of the session — you simply open and close the meeting and help keep everyone focused during the presentation.

For those of the Scouts and Girl Guides movement the visit makes a significant contribution towards young people earning a History badge.

Best of all, it’s free! Contact us at enquiries@naseby.com

The new online going away with scheme was launched in October 2025. This scheme lets you take girls on overnight trips, like sleepovers and camps. You can do it if you’ve finished the leader development programme and are currently a leader, commissioner or adviser.

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.

Training Record Cards are available to print from the county website

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. Buy from the local shops or use the form below to purchase from the county office (you will need to add on postage unless collecting)

We have two properties in the county that you can book for days, evenings or overnights.....

MacQueen House  

Information and availability for MacQueen HERE

Summer Buffet Thursday 16 July

Jubilee Campsite



Information and availability for campsite HERE

Jubilee 90th birthday

Come and celebrate on Thursday 9 July at our Quiz , AGM and Ploughmans

7pm Cost £8 . Numbers to Jennie Lewell or email jubilee@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

This year at Jubilee there will be a Special 90th challenge and a badge of course.

Look out for it. We are looking for all your memories of camping or visiting the site. Make sure you record them in the book at Jubilee.

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).

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.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Queen’s Guide Award with Girlguiding, and we would love to celebrate with you. 

We are planning a special event on 21st November, and would love to hear from anyone who is currently working on or has completed the Queen’s Guide Award over the years.

#QueensGuide #Girlguiding #80YearsOfQueensGuide



contactl 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.

County Office - The Unity Centre

Do some photocopying or get help with your DBS or any other aspect of Go!

We are open 9.30am-12.30pm Weekdays in term-time. During school holidays it is always best to call 01604 648740 or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

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