Innovate - Girlguiding UK's national youth forum - is an extremely popular residential experience for around 150 members. It gives members aged 16-25 a space and a voice to keep the organisation fresh and up to date, while having a lot of fun at the same time!
The weekend is packed full of variety and there's bound to be something you can get your teeth into! You'll have the chance to contribute to the development of different policies, projects and programmes in a very interactive way by participating in workshops and through the market-place style of the 'Fringe'.
Examples of previous topics include investigating what it means to belong to Girlguiding UK, which helped to inform the new definitions of membership, and reviewing the Queen's Guide Award, suggestions from which were taken on board during the last Senior Section programme renewal.
After all that hard work, there are also opportunities to relax and try new activities while meeting people from all over the UK. Maybe learn to stage fight with professional choreographers, pamper Yourself with a facial from Virgin Vie, or even ring in the changes with a spot of bell ringing in a real tower. Past events have been an experience for all the senses! From tasting great food to hearing your favourite tunes at the Saturday night party, and from seeing the latest hot-of-the-press Girlguiding UK resources and publications, to the smelt of soda bread fresh from the oven in an Irish cooking session.
Whatever you're into, there's something for you at Innovate! The weekend is great value for money. Innovate is heavily subsidised because Girlguiding UK really values its members' ideas and opinions, and wants to enable as many people as possible to attend. However, if the cost of travel to the venue or the event itself is a barrier for you, you can apply to your District, Division or County for assistance.
Travel advice is also provided by the team, so there really is no reason to miss out! Innovate is held approximately every eight months at locations all over the guiding Countries and Regions. Recently they've been held in Edinburgh, Winchester, Belfast and York. Any member aged 16-25 can attend and the Planning Team would love you to be there. Register your interest for the next event online and look out for the application forms in the HOTLINE section of guiding magazine.
Did you know? Attending Innovate can contribute to your Queen's Guide award as either a residential experience or as service in guiding.
Been before? If you've already attended Innovate and enjoyed the experience, Why not get more involved! You can apply to be on the Planning Team and put your stamp on events to come. It is a fantastic opportunity to join a very friendly group of Senior Section members, travel all over the UK and gain experience in planning a large scale event.