It started as a way to meet new friends outside school, after a move from London to Norfolk when she was 10. But Claire Lister has now been almost continuously involved in Girlguiding for 33 years, apart from taking a grand total of three months off after having her two children - Joe in 2007 and Amy in 2009. There may have been many changes since the Girl Guides were formed in 1910, but for the girls of today, the fun, opportunities and camaraderie it offers are greater than ever.
'I do remember what it meant to know other girls from the unit when I joined the Guides,' says Claire, 43, Diss District Guide Leader and South Norfolk Division Commissioner. 'It's that friendly face in the school corridor, even if some girls don't like to admit they're members! I think what we offer is a welcoming safe space to just be normal for girls to be girls.'
Claire admits to taking a two-year break at 14 when she didn't consider the charity to be 'cool', but she was enticed back by her old Guide Leader at 16 to become a Brownie Young Leader. That is someone who helps in the unit with activities and games, and looks after small groups of girls. Since then, she has been dedicated to volunteering in the local Rainbow, Brownie and Guide unit, and became Leader in 2006. Rainbows (for girls aged four to seven) were introduced in 1987.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 16, 2024-Ausgabe von Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 16, 2024-Ausgabe von Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest