Girlguiding Scotland volunteer, Lorraine Clements, was celebrated at a Girlguiding-hosted red-carpet event, as she received the Queen’s Guide Award, the highest award a member can work towards within Girlguiding.
Based in Renfrewshire, Lorraine has dedicated close to 13 years to Girlguiding Scotland, after joining as a young member with the Guides. Since then, Lorraine has assisted at her local unit leading the next generation of Girlguiding members in addition to assisting with the admin and logistics of her county.
In 2022, Lorraine took on the role of supporting others in her county of Renfrewshire to complete the Queen’s Guide Award as well as being a point of contact for those interested in taking part.
Scottish Chief Commissioner Elaine said, “It is a remarkable achievement to receive the Queen’s Guide Award and we are very proud of our Queen’s Guide awardees like Lorraine. The Girlguiding Celebrates event is such a great way to celebrate the hard work, passion and commitment of our Girlguiding Scotland volunteers”.
As the highest award that members can work towards, the Queen’s Guide Award is an opportunity to develop personal skills and support the local community.
It can also be combined with activities for Duke of Edinburgh Award, helping girls and young women to really flourish in their development and experiences through training young members, to leading them in outdoor residentials, and engaging in community action.
To complete the Queen’s Guide Award, members must complete 5 sections centred around personal development, leadership, teamwork and community action.
Lorraine said, “gaining my Queens Guide Award has been one of my greatest and proudest achievements. I learned many new skills and developed in confidence and my abilities as a Guider. It was a huge challenge, specially completing it during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being part of Girlguiding, fills me with pride. I love attending my unit meetings every week, and getting to provide a safe and inclusive space for the young girls and women who attend”.
The Girlguiding Celebrates event was held on 25 November at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. It honoured hundreds of Girlguiding’s young members and exceptional volunteers from across the UK, nominated to attend as recognition for their dedication and commitment, and those awarded with the highest and most prestigious awards available in guiding, including the Queen’s Guide award, Silver Fish, Laurel Award and Guiding Stars.
The unforgettable afternoon saw attendees walking down the red carpet like a true VIP, before enjoying a drinks reception and performances in a special variety show.