Emily Critchell – Emily opened the 1st Merley Guide unit which has gone from strength to strength under her leadership. Emily leads both girls and other leaders to provide an exceptional girl led unit that offers a wide variety of activities both in person and on virtual platforms. Other leaders say she is ‘the driving force’ and leads with ‘lots of ideas and enthusiasm’. She has led activities at Badbury Rings, The Boathouse and Dudsbury Guide Camp. Emily instructs guides, rangers and leaders on a wide variety of water based activities including kayaking, canoeing, rowing and raft building as well as supporting the running and maintenance of the venue. Emily is described as ‘unfailingly cheerful, kind, encouraging and nurturing to the guides’ and has certainly kept her promise to do her best and help other people and is truly deserving of a Dorset Ammonite Award.
Sarah Roberts – Sarah is a leader with 4th Highcliffe brownies who encourages girls to take part, to try new things and embrace Girlguiding on many levels. During the pandemic, she encouraged her unit to continue guiding via a virtual platform. Having organised regular unit holidays, Sarah extended her zoom ‘sleepovers’ to other units, providing exciting and fun activities and creating packs for each of the girls. Sarah also extended her own unit’s planning, presentation and preparation to another unit and also supported other leaders to complete risk assessments. Sarah also manages the Highcliffe Guide Hall and supports the running of the Christchurch Scouts and Guides Gang Show. One leader said “I truly believe Sarah goes above and beyond to give girls in Highcliffe an unforgettable time in Guiding” and another saying “I couldn’t be more grateful for her support”. When the time comes, Sarah actively encourages girls to move on to guides. She is truly deserving of a Dorset Ammonite Award.
Izabelle Macleod – During the pandemic of 2020/21 Izzy was a Young Leader with 1st Wyke Regis Rainbows Unit where she is now a Unit Helper. Recognising that other unit leaders were not confident to run virtual meetings, Izzy took over a significant role in organising and running the rainbow’s virtual meetings including running games and activities. Without her input, her unit would not have been able to continue meeting and providing guiding during a very challenging time. Now that the unit is returning to meeting face to face, Izzy has taken the lead in welcoming the rainbows back to their meetings and ensuring the girls feel comfortable and safe. Izzy is very deserving of a Girlguiding Hero Award.
Emma House – Emma has gone above and beyond to promote Girlguiding. Her humorous posts on the Dorset Girlguiding Leaders Facebook group lifted the spirits of members during the pandemic. She took on the role and challenge of being the Dorset County Growth and Retention Coordinator promoting ideas to promote Girlguiding locally and instigated the ‘spotlight on a unit’ posts. Emma did all this whilst continuing to be a leader at local level, arranging award presentations and promoting guiding in the local press. Emma is very deserving of a Girlguiding Hero Award.
