Rainbow Girlguides Urgently Seeking Leaders

Two Belper Rainbow units are in danger of closing unless new leaders come forward to run the groups of girls.

4^th Belper and 4^th Belper ‘A’ Rainbows currently have seventeen members in total aged five to seven but their leaders are leaving at the end of the summer term leaving the groups in danger of having to fold if no one comes forward to help.

Rainbows are part of the national Girlguiding movement, which relies on volunteers to run their units, whether they are Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Senior Section. In Belper, there are currently three Guide units, four Brownies, five Rainbow and one Senior Section group.

All other Rainbow units in Belper are full and unable to take on any more members.

Rainbows is the Girlguiding section for girls aged five to seven.

Their aim is to develop self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things and having fun. Girls get their hands dirty with arts and crafts, trying out cooking and playing games. Rainbows is all about learning by doing.

Amber District Commissioner Stephanie Hardwick said: “As well as the seventeen at 4^th Belper who face losing their units, we have a list of girls waiting to join and we really don’t want to disappoint them or their parents.

“Being a Girlguiding leader is a great thing to do. You get on the job training which leads to a recognised leadership qualification, meet new people, learn new skills and have great experiences.

“I would urge anyone who has been a Girlguiding leader in the past and thinking of coming back to do so. Equally, anyone who is interested in taking this valuable voluntary role up I would ask them to seriously consider it.”

The Mayor of Belper, Cllr Gary Spendlove, met the Rainbows to find out more about their activities and to help them in their search for a new leader.

He said: “I know from my own experiences with the Scouting movement how disappointing it will be if these Rainbow units have to close. It will be a great shame if they do, not only for the girls currently involved but also those waiting to join.”

If you are interested in helping at a Rainbow unit – or any other Girlguiding unit in Belper – please email amberdistrictgirlguiding@gmail.com