What’s On 

Don’t miss out on these great opportunities!

First Response Training: Full Day Date: Two dates available We have spaces available on: 5th July and 20th September (just a few places left)

Register now

Save the Date! Brownies & Guides 3rd October Half day workshops on the ocean environment. Details of the workshops to follow.

Coming soon

Glass Workshops Adult members: 25th October Try your skill at Glass Infusion! A few spaces available on the afternoon session Closing Date: 1st Oct

Register

A Message from Carolyn…

As Lisa said in the May E-news “more of Carolyn next month”, so here I am!

As your County Commissioner Designate, I am waiting in the wings but working behind the scenes with Lisa to take over on 1st August.

For those of you who don’t me so well, here is a bit of an intro…

I have been in guiding since 1980 (when I joined as a Brownie in Wiltshire South) and here in Dorset since 1992.

I have been a guide leader for over 35 years in units within Bournemouth South, Mid and now West Division, where I have also held the role as Commissioner.

As Lisa confirmed last month, I am currently on the County Blue Team as Commissioner Support and many of the current commissioners will have worked with me in some way.

I also still hold my region post as Safeguarding Assistant LV, but I will be relinquishing that role over the summer (hopefully)!

I am very much looking forward to getting stuck into the role, getting around the County to meet adult volunteers and young members alike and beginning to formulate a plan with the Blue Team to move Dorset onwards into the next 5 years.

A Round-Up from Lisa…

What a wonderful event the Gentian was this year.

We had lots of Gentian holders taking part and a visit from the Chief Guide, Tracy Foster, to present Racheal Tattum with her Laurel award.

The event itself is always full of chatter, memories and stories.

Guiding is all about stories and memories isn’t it? When we are young, we remember our first camp, holiday or event where something funny happened, the rain washed the tents away or a leader’s clothing went up the flag pole!

As an adult we repeat our stories and the stories of those around us – often sat next to a campfire. Most of them raise a smile. I could write a book with mine – with titles such as “the bayleaf”, “She just eats cardboard”, “Sheila loves craft” and “The night of the coughing livestock”.

Inevitably you will all have tales that you share with those that were there and with those that join your units/divisions. Some of these stories will remind you of friends who are no longer with us.

I have been lucky, as your County Commissioner, to share my stories and those of others across the County for five years now. So, at your next event tell your story to your team, let them share theirs, laugh, smile, squirm if you must, but share so that stories and people can be remembered.

After all, in the end, we are the stories we leave in the thoughts of others.

Best wishes,

Lisa

What’s On in 2026

Don’t miss out on these great opportunities!

Lost Seal of Purbeck Swanage: 4th July Follow the clues to solve the puzzle!  Price includes: clues, return train ride from Swanage to Corfe, entry to Corfe Castle & a badge.

Register

First Response Date: 20th Sept We have spaces available at our autumn First Response session

Register

Save the Date! Brownies & Guides 3rd October Half day workshops on the ocean environment. Details of the workshops to follow.

Coming soon

Glass Workshops Adult members: 25th October Try your skill at Glass Infusion! A few spaces available on the afternoon session Closing Date: 1st Oct

Register

A Round-Up from Lisa...

It’s May and I can’t believe how cold it is.  I was looking forward to warmer evenings and I feel like I got winter again.

What a busy time we have had though despite the weather. The Elements day for Rainbows and Brownies went really well with lots of activities organised by Eloise.  Thanks to all the helpers who manned a station for the day.

Over 60 people did the car treasure hunt.  The two teams that started at crack of dawn went right down to the wire for the winner but in the end the ice-cream duo won.  Well done Eloise and Thalia.  

I, on the other hand, spent quite a lot of my time driving around the roundabout at Portland Bill and nudging my team to hurry up as they took in the sights of the Cerne Abbas Giant.  We had a goodtime though. 

Thank you Emma and Clare for the work you put into this.

Last weekend we had the Discover and Debrief Day at Wimborne.  How lovely was it to see some of you at the event.  The workshops were really good and lunch was excellent.  The majority of standards (County and Division flags) were out for the first time since covid and it was a real pleasure to see them and be reminded of the work that went into them.

Thank you to all the team for their hard work in putting this together – especially Chris T who worked her socks off in encouraging attendance. 

Also a big thank you for the lovely “Lisa” rose bush I was given.  I have put the massive beautiful blue pot on rollers so I can move it around my garden once the rose is in place. 

Next – Gentian next week and then Water sports.

As my time as County Commissioner begins to come to an end I am working with our CC Designate, Carolyn Harmer, to ensure a smooth hand-over.  We have discussed the intricacies of the county and Carolyn is going to be an amazing CC – particularly as so many Division Commissioners already know her from her Commissioner support role. 

More of Carolyn next month as we work towards our hand-over date of 31st July.

I am still popping around the county with service awards and had the pleasure of presenting a Hero award this week to Marlowe from Poole. 

Have a look at the County Facebook page for more details.

Until June…

Lisa

What’s On in 2026

Don’t miss out on these great opportunities!

(For people wanting to do their licence or anyone wanting  a refresher)

Register Now

Elements Activity Day

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! For Rainbows and Brownies: 8th April. A day based on the elements of air, earth, wind & fire to celebrate Earth Day.  Closing date: 27th March Book now

Safer Guiding Training

Date: 2nd May 2026 For people preferring to do their Safer Guiding Training face to face, rather than online. Venue: County Office Cost: Free Closing date: 17th April

Book Now

Car Treasure Hunt Adult members:10th  May Follow clues around the county over the day Cost includes a badge

Register

1st Response Training All sections: 16th May & 13th June Two face to face sessions available to book now

Water Sports DayBrownies: 6th June Try windsurfing, kayaking &  paddleboarding at the Watersports Academy, Sandbanks.

Register

Water Sports Day Guides: 7th June Try windsurfing, kayaking &  paddleboarding at the Watersports Academy, Sandbanks.

Register

Save the Date!Brownies & Guides 3rd October Experience the facilities at the Andrew Simpson Centre, Portland, in a safe & enclosed environment.

Coming Soon

Glass Workshops Adult members: 25th October Try your skill at Glass Infusion! Two sessions available to book. Closing Date: 1st Oct

Register

Register here

A Round-up from Lisa…

Firstly, well done if you’ve made it this far to read my bit!  We have such a lot going on in the next couple of terms that I’m a good scroll away! Happy March!  The sun is out as I write this and my goodness do we need it.  I haven’t been able to get out in my garden yet but the marigolds in the green house are up. Info ref the discover and de-brief is out.  Its taken a bit to get underway but now we are sorted.  Please come along and make a few friends. County are subsiding the biggest part of the costs on this one and there will be a buffet lunch and a speaker. You have just under 4 weeks to book – do it now whilst you think about it.  About a week ago I went to the Dudsbury management committee meeting.  It is lovely to be a guest (if a rather opinionated one) at this meeting.  There have been so many changes at Dudsbury recently.  We must say our thanks to Sue Webb for all that she and Doug did for the site and now the small team are looking seriously at its future.   Whilst Dudsbury is owed by the Bournemouth Divisions it holds a special place in a lot of hearts.  So, if you are someone with skills that can help Dudsbury (particularly if you are in Bournemouth North/South) then please send me a note.  If you have experience in charity and employment law they would really like to hear from you. I suspect there might be another e-news shortly with so much happening in the next couple of months – watch this space!   Best Wishes, Lisa

Congratulations to Leaders who have completed the following qualifications… Ingrid Cooney, Bournemouth South, GAW Modules 1-4 Emily Gola, Twynham, GAW Module 8 Miriam Orrell, South, GAW Modules 1 – 8 Charlie Price, Twynham, GAW Modules 1 -4. Well done!

What’s On in 2026

Elements Activity Day Rainbows & Brownies:18th April. A day based on the elements of air, earth, wind & fire to celebrate Earth Day. Closing date: 27th March Register

1st Response Training All sections: Various sessions available to book online now. Book both F2F & Zoom Register

Car Treasure Hunt Adult members: 10th May Follow clues around the county over the day. Cost includes a badge. Register

Water Sports Day Brownies: 6th June Try windsurfing, kayaking &  paddleboarding at the Watersports Academy, Sandbanks. All equipment provided Register

Water Sports Day Guides: 7th June  Try windsurfing, kayaking &  paddleboarding at the Watersports Academy, Sandbanks. All equipment provided Register

Glass Workshops Adult members: 25th Oct Try your skill at Glass Infusion! Two sessions available to book. Closing date: 1st Oct Register

Register Here

Register Now

A Round-up from Lisa…

Hi everyone, It’s February – I hope you are all celebrating 100 years of Thinking Day in a special way. It is also subscriptions month.  Your invoices are ready for downloading and you should look to pay as soon as possible please. I am busy at the moment pulling together the Discover and Debrief event at QE school on May 16th.  It will be a morning of short trainings, followed by a buffet lunch (provided) and presentation and (hopefully) a special speaker all for £7.50! (Chargeable to units).   Save the date – more exact details soon. Invitations have gone out to the Gentian lunch and there are lots of other activities well underway. I look forward to seeing you at County events over the next few months. Best wishes, Lisa

Congratulations to Leaders who have completed the following qualifications… 

Claire Balston

North East Forest

Going Away With (GAW) Modules 1-7 

Completed in November 2025 

What’s On in 2026

Elements Activity Day Rainbows & Brownies: 18th April. A day based on the elements of air, earth, wind & fire to celebrate Earth Day. Closing date: 27th March Register

Gold Awards Event All sections: 11th April  Celebrate your 2025 Gold Award at Dorset’s Heavy Horse Farm Park. Closing date: 2nd April Register

Car Treasure Hunt Adult members: 10th May Follow clues around the county over the day. Cost includes a badge. Register

First Response Training

We have a selection of First Response training sessions available now to book online, both face to face and via Zoom.

Browse Dates

A Round-up from Lisa...

And we’re off  – 2026.  It’s going to be great. I’m starting off with 2 mentor meetings – one for Leadership mentors and one for Going Away with mentors.   Could you be a mentor?   Have a look here, we would love new faces at our meetings. In February we have our annual CC lunch where the Division Commissioner Team and Blue Team meet to discuss what you would like in 2027 and put forward what we have planned for 2026.  If you have ideas please give them to your Division Commissioner. This is my last six months in the County Commissioner role and soon Region will be writing out to all of you looking for a successor.  Being the County Commissioner is such a privilege and I have really enjoyed it. There will also be many roles in the Blue Team that will become available.  So, even if you feel you couldn’t be the County Commissioner could you be a new Blue Team member? Current roles available include International and Peer Education lead. The team would also love to have people to shadow them through their last few months in role so that a new person can have a go.  These roles include Learning and Development, Growth and retention, Adventures and activities, PR and comms, Event support and Finance.   Go on, put your name in the ring for one of these by emailing Alison at office@girlguidingdorset.org.uk and showing an interest. Finally, watch out for our County get together and training on May 16th at QE School Wimborne and all the other events advertised in the boxes above. Best wishes, Lisa

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As the year comes to a close, just a big, heartfelt thank you to all of you.

Everything you do — the time, energy, ideas, laughter, and fun — makes Girlguiding what it is, and it truly wouldn’t be the same without you.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, another festival, or simply looking forward to a well-earned break, I hope this time of year brings you moments of joy, rest, and a little bit of sparkle.

Thank you for showing up week after week and for all the magic (and patience!) you bring to guiding. We’re so grateful for everything you do.

Wishing you a bright, restful end to the year and a fantastic start to the next one.

Lisa

First Response Training

We are pleased to bring you our First Response Training dates for 2026, both Face to Face and online.

Click here to browse dates

A Round-up from Lisa…

October seems to have whizzed past in a series of meetings and before you know it it’s Bonfire night and Remembrance Day.  I am still picking tomatoes and small cucumbers in my greenhouse and I can’t plant my bulbs because the autumn flowers haven’t finished, so I am having trouble agreeing with my Brownies that it’s time for Christmas songs!

No doubt across the County Christmas fayre planning and  pantos are well underway and some of you will be going to the Odeon special showing. 

Can I remind everyone to check their accounts ready for subscription in February.  Despite it always being that time of year it does tend to creep up on us quickly.

Finally, congratulations to all those people who have received County awards over the past few months.  It is so lovely to hear about the great work that people are doing in units and Divisions. Not as many photos as I would like – if you have a lovely photo of you receiving an award do share it on the Facebook pages.  

Thank you all for keeping Guiding alive in the County.

Lisa

County Office Access is Changing

Due to ongoing work at Admiralty Park, access to county office is changing.

From Monday 17th November, both pedestrian and vehicle access to the county office will no longer be possible from the Station Road entrance for the next 12 months.

Please use the main industrial site entrance off the roundabout on Wareham Road (what3words: ///zones.ruled.hiking).

If you are unsure of the way, or are visiting outside of office hours, please email (office@girlguidingdorset.org.uk) for the gate code and directions.

We would suggest allowing a little extra time for your journey as this route may be unfamiliar.

Walking Scheme

Fresh air, beautiful views and good exercise – discover them all with our walking scheme.

As you are no doubt aware both Leadership and Going away with schemes have been reviewed, the walking scheme is next.  The walking scheme had its last major review about 20 years ago. 

Below is a link to a short questionnaire. 

Please do complete the survey, it does not matter if you don’t know anything about the scheme – what would help you to take your units out and about more?  It is important that the walking scheme is fit for purpose, so the more views and ideas that come in the better.  Thank you.

Click here to complete our survey

Congratulations to Liz Seery who was recently presented with her Gentian award by Chris Gabb, pictured here with both Chris and Racheal Tatum.

Congratulations to Leaders who have completed the following qualifications…

• Michelle Chandler, Bournemouth North, Module 6 Brownies
• Charley Rodgers, NE Minster, Going Away With (GAW) Modules 1-8

Well done!

Autumn Events

1st Response Training Adult Members Various dates Please visit our website to browse availability

Find out more

Young Leader Training Adult Volunteers & YLs 1st November Come & find out about the new Young Leader Development Programme (YLDP).  Closing Date: 20/10

Register

A Round-up from Lisa...

WOW!  What an amazing couple of weeks I have had.  

A couple of weeks ago I spent some time with the Rainbows at Farmer Palmers. I arrived just at lolly time (how good is my timing?) but also took the rain with me. The Rainbows were having a great time and I presented Eloise Whitaker with her Gentian award.  Eloise has been amazing as our activity and adventure co-ordinator and has done so much within the county.

Then last weekend I spent the weekend at PGL with over 400 members attending our County PGL event. We had a little rain and it was certainly blowy but we made the most of it.  Brownies, Guides and Rangers climbed, abseiled and had a go in a giant swing.  Rangers went axe throwing. All the adults were exhausted by the slight slope(!) that PGL is on and my feet are still recovering but a good time was had.  I also snuck in some GOLD presentations and 2 wonderful Ammonite awards to Anne Kirkland and Helen Miller.

Thank you to all the adults that were involved in both events – we cannot given these experiences without you and an extra word of thanks to the Blue Team who organise things in the background.

Talking of Going Away With events we are looking forward to the new GAW licence that will be coming out in the next few months.  In the meantime please can I encourage you to look at the bite size information below.  

I picked up about the medication forms when I looked and some of us who are “experienced” sometimes forget to have a quick check on all the requirements.  Keeping records at GAW events is very important to keep our young members safe.

Look out for next years plan coming together including a car treasure hunt and County event.

Best Wishes,

Lisa

Planning a trip away? If you need to manage medication for girls on your trips, here’s what you need to consider…

Before you go

A New Opportunity for Spring 2026

Dr Jo Maloney from EDGE Ecologic, contacted us recently with an exciting, new opportunity.

Jo is currently working with the government, the chair of the British Ecological Society and the environmental team at Bournemouth University to develop a fun, educational, national programme to create greater awareness of climate change and its effect on eco systems and different species.

She is keen to bring this to us as she and her children have been involved with guiding internationally in the past.

Potentially there will be the opportunity to get involved with a free trial/pilot Spring 2026. Two live workshops with a maximum of 40 girls per group, followed by two additional workshops (same numbers) to be run remotely.  Sessions can be adjusted to suit age groups from Rainbows upwards.

This is being offered as a free trial but will evolve into a paid for programme when rolled out nationally. Jo mentioned the possibility of a discount for future groups once the scheme is fully up and running.

Details of this programme are currently confidential as they are still in their research and development stage so would be grateful if we do not share beyond Guiding please.

Autumn/Winter Events 2025

1st Response Training All sections: Various dates available Visit our website for more details

Browse dates

YL Training Day1st November Young leaders: Come and find out about the new Young Leader Development Programme (YLDP)

Register

A Round-up from Lisa…

Hello everyone,

September came around fast didn’t it?  I’m sitting in a sea of PGL paperwork, reports and accounts trying to get myself up-together.  Thank goodness for the rain so I don’t feel obliged to sit in the sunshine in the garden.

My first weekend in September will be taken up with Dorset County show.  Whilst Emma masterminds the shows on our behalf she always asks for some help on show days.  Thanks to those who went to Gillingham and to those signed up for Dorchester.  I will have my new badges with me on the Sunday if you are coming along.  See if you can “spot” me.

There will be a special exec meeting on the second week to discuss plans for 2026 and how much our county subscriptions will be and then Farmer Palmers in the middle of the month.  With that, and PGL, September seems particularly busy.

I look forward to seeing a lot of you this month – If you haven’t met me before (or if you have) please come and say hello. 

Best wishes,

Lisa

The Results Are In…

Well done to everyone who took part.

All things LDP (Leadership Development Plan)

If you are newbie leader and have decided to take on a Leadership role –

Welcome and thank you.

Everything you need to know is explained here and if you have done all of this and you are waiting patiently for a mentor to be assigned to you for more than three weeks, please contact office@girlguidingdorset.org.uk and one of the highly skilled LDP co-ordinators will have a look to see what has happened to your process.

If you are a unit leader with a new person and not sure how you can help them to get into the swing of things we are going to trial sending unit leaders of LITS an information email. It will be about making you aware of what your new person is being asked to do so you can give them the opportunity to do it.

Being away from guiding for more than 3 years…

The process for existing leaders who’ve been away from guiding for more than 3 years has changed. If a leader has qualified as leader via the LQ or the LDP, but they have been away from guiding for 3+ years, their qualification will have expired.

They should speak to an LDP mentor who can help identify any learning needs to complete. We’d recommend the top-up course on the learning platform. Once the mentor and commissioner are happy, then the leader role can be reinstated. For their commissioner to add the leader role, they will just need to add the new ‘Returning leader after 3+ years’ course on GO – this must be done by the County Commissioner team.

Discover more

Summer/Autumn Events 2025 Don’t miss out!

Poole Monopoly Challenge All sections: 5th July Event will cover from Poole Park, High Street, Quay and museum. Closing date: 20th JuneRegister

County Water Sports Rangers and YLs: 13th July With the Watersports Academy & Island Challengers, Brownsea Island. Closing date: 18th June Register

Farmer Palmers Visit Rainbows: 20th Sept A day getting to know animals and about life on the farm including having a tractor ride! Register

Multi Activity Day Rainbows & Brownies November 2025 Keep an eye on our website for more details…Coming Soon

Please note that all of our first aid sessions are shown on our events pages.  Our amazing trainers hold these trainings in a variety of ways but the face to face part is held at our office at Holton Heath. Each course takes a lot of hard work so I’m afraid we are not able to move it around the county.

Browse dates here

A Round-up from Lisa…

Hi,

June – a time for thinking about Volunteers.  

As an organisation run almost entirely by volunteers, volunteers like you, we are incredibly grateful for what you do week in, week out.  

Can I put in a word for your amazing District and Division commissioners.   Each one agrees to lead a group of diverse people with a view to making Guiding successful in your area. 

Having run a Commissioner myth busting session the group decided the most important thing for a Commissioner to have was motivation. Usually most people think that Guiding knowledge or time are the most important but without the motivation they would not have come forward.  

If you have a little time, be part of their vision, lend them a hand but most importantly offer a smile of appreciation and a thank you.  

I look forward to catching up with some of you over the next couple of months.

Best wishes,

Lisa

Message from HQ

This year’s national walking week will be held from Saturday 18 to Friday 24 October in Glenshee, Scotland. Bookings are now open! This is a fun and safe opportunity for volunteers who’d like to develop their existing walking skills and work towards their level 3 qualification. There’s also the option to join in with social walking instead in the open countryside.

Discover more

and Congratulations go to…

Katie Norris – Queens Guide Award

Katie, a leader in Poole (Rainbows and Brownies) gained her Queens Guide award in just 15months.  She faced challenges along the way and has been a guider for only 5 years.  Katie will be attending the National Award Ceremony in October in Manchester. 

She is a great role model for all young women in Dorset.

Summer Events 2025

Don’t miss out on these great opportunities!

County Water Sports Brownies: 28 June Guides: 29 June. Both events with the Watersports Academy, Sandbanks (Poole Harbour) Register

County Water Sports Rangers and YLs:13th July With the Watersports Academy & Island Challengers, Brownsea IslandRegister

Farmer Palmers VisitRainbows: 20 Sept A day getting to know animals and about life on the farm including having a tractor ride!Register

Poole Monopoly Challenge All sections: 5 July. Event will cover from Poole Park, High Street, quay and museum.Register

Peer Education Training

Peer Education training is for those aged 14-25 years old. Come on a residential weekend to learn new skills, make friends and become trained to run Breaking Free sessions (about breaking down gender stereotypes). Date: 5-7th September

Discover more

A Round-up from Lisa…

Hello all, This month I have been out and about at the VE event – enjoying a great evening with so many Guiding people and remembering those people who got us through WW2. Eloise and a few leaders enjoyed the water sports and the D of E team have been out in the sunshine.  Thank you so much to all of the Blue Team who organise so many events for the County.  Do take a look at the exciting County opportunities in this newsletter. This month, Kathleen Butler has joined our team as Young Leader Co-ordinator ( ylcordinator@girlguidingdorset.org.uk).  Welcome Kathleen – we look forward to working with you. I am just back from a meeting with Treasurers across the county.  It was a really good evening with lots of discussion.  I think the main take away points were about signatories on accounts, using online banking and making sure that accounts are handed over to your Commissioner within 3 months of the end of financial year.  The other thing from me is ask for help if you are having trouble.  Better this than an issue further down the line.   Look here for finance information. The meal for County Gentian award people is coming up shortly and I have been assigned “Find a starter for the meal”. So, I’m off to Google easy starters for large groups. Best Wishes, Lisa

and Congratulations go to…

Going Away With Scheme (GAW)

Congratulations to Leaders who have completed the following qualifications…

Emma Small, Poole West, GAW Modules 1-7

and Anya Watt Stewart, Poole East, GAW Modules 1-7.

Well done!