The Queen’s Guide Award is the highest award you can work towards in guiding. It gives you the chance to develop your skills, give back to guiding and support your local community.

 

It’s open to members aged 16 to 30 and must be completed within 3 years from the start date or before your 31st birthday, whichever is sooner.

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The Queen’s Guide award isn’t just a great achievement to share with other members of Girlguiding. It also shows potential employers and further education organisations you've challenged yourself and achieved goals in lots of different ways.

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The programme can also be matched with activities you are already doing in guiding, meaning you can get more than one award for the challenges you are taking on – such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), Lead Away permit and going away with license.

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'What do you know about the Queen’s Guide Award?
Would you like to challenge yourself ?
Are you undergoing the award at present ?
Have you achieved the highest award in Girlguiding ?
Are you a mentor ?
Would you consider being a mentor?
Anyone interested in finding out more about The Queen's Guide Award, please email Hannah QG@girlguidingderbyshire.org

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What is involved?

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The Queen’s Guide award is all about personal challenges and taking part in guiding. It’s made up of 5 sections:

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• Personal development challenge: Develop a skill in or outside of Girlguiding to enhance your personal growth. This could be anything from ballet to circus skills, gardening to playing a musical instrument. And you’ll get to share your skill with others in guiding too!

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• Guiding challenge: Take an active part in guiding at different levels. Make a difference in guiding by doing 4 projects focused on girls, volunteers, growth and retention, and inclusion.

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• Community action challenge: This is your chance to increase your knowledge of an important issue through research and practical activities, then share what you learn with other Girlguiding members.

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• Lead the way challenge: Take on a leadership role in an outdoor environment and try something new and adventurous! You have 3 options to choose from: residential, outdoor activity or expedition/exploration.

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• Social experience challenge: Challenge yourself in a new setting and focus on building new relationships. Experience something you’ve never done before and develop your interpersonal skills by going on a residential or attending an even.

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I’m interested in the Queen’s Guide Award. How do I get started?

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Take a look at the Queen’s Guide Award programme resource, which can be found here (https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/programme-and-activities/queens-guide-award/queens-guide-award-resource.pdf ), to begin to understand the expectations of the award. If you are eligible to complete the award and are still interested in signing up, complete the registration form (which can be found on the Girlguiding Derbyshire website) and email it to the QG@girlguidingderbyshire.org

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How do I find a mentor?

It is up to you who you choose as your mentor. They must be a member of Girlguiding, with Safe Space levels 1-3. Beyond that, there are no additional requirements. Try to choose someone who you know will support and champion you. A knowledge of (or willingness to learn about) the award is helpful. You can read more about the role of mentor here: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/programme-and-activities/queens-guide-award/queens-guide-award-mentor-role-description.pdf

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Who can assess each section or project?

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Your assessor could be a member of Girlguiding. This would work well for any of the sections that are directly linked to Guiding. You can also choose non-members as assessors, who have a knowledge of your chosen challenge (for example, if your personal development challenge is playing the piano, you might choose a music teacher.) Try to ensure you have a range of assessors to fully reflect what you have done for the award.

NB. You cannot have a family member as an assessor.

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/programme-and-activities/queens-guide-award/queens-guide-award-assessor-information.pdf

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Do I have to have everything planned at the start of the Award?

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Although it is a good idea to have an idea of your overall plans at the start, the plan is a working document, which can be edited as you go. This is particularly true with the ‘Guiding Challenge’, as different opportunities may arise throughout the time you are completing the award. Any changes to the original plan should be shared with your mentor and the County Co-ordinator.

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What do I do when I have finished the award?

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Once you have finished all the sections of the award and each part has been signed off by your chosen assessor, the record book goes to the County Coordinator to be signed off. You do not need to present any additional evidence to the Co-ordinator, although they are usually happy to meet with you and chat about what you have done.

NB. It is advisable to take a copy of your record book before handing it in, just to be on the safe side!

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How is my award presented to me?

 

Once the award has been verified by HQ, you can arrange your local presentation (or ask someone else to do it for you.) How, where and when your award is presented is up to you! Once you have decided, let the County Co-ordinator know, so they can make sure your badge gets to the right place at the right time. You will also be invited to a national celebration event, which is currently being held once a year.

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Do you have any top tips about how to tackle the award?

Yes!

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1. Be proactive! This is the highest award in Guiding and whilst your mentor and the County Co-ordinator are there to support you, you need to be the driving force behind getting it done. Work out your overall plan and always be on the lookout for opportunities that interest you.

2. There are limited opportunities to complete the ‘inclusion’ project at County or above. Consider completing this project at a lower level (unit, district or area) and doing the girl, growth and retention or volunteer project at the higher levels of Guiding.

3. Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in. Each part of the award has a minimum time commitment, so you don’t want to be stuck spending 50 hours on something you don’t actually want to do!

4. Keep evidence of what you are doing, as you do it. This can take any form; it does not have to be a written document. The evidence can be useful for your assessor to check what you have done and that it meets the requirements of the award.

5. Most of all, have fun! The award is hard work, so the more you enjoy doing it, the easier it will feel!

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Want to take the challenge?

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If you are interested in working towards the Queen’s Guide Award, contact the county Queen's Guide co-ordinator:

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Queen's Guide Co-ordinator - Hannah Adamson

QG@girlguidingderbyshire.org

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Download - Queen's Guide Award Registration Form

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