​Survey shows how volunteering with charity improves career prospects

Almost half of Girlguiding Scotland’s volunteers say that giving their time has boosted their career chances.

Scotland’s leading charity for girls and young women found, through a survey of more than 200 of its members, that the vast majority of their volunteers say they’ve gained skills and experience that are attractive to employers including leadership skills (91 per cent), planning and organisational skills (91%), team working skills (89%) and communication skills (79%) through guiding.

More than a third (36%) say it’s helped them get onto a course, further education or training.

Girlguiding Scotland volunteers also said that guiding has had a positive impact on their lives (99 per cent), with many reporting it has helped them make friends (98 per cent), have fun (94%), boost their confidence (79%), do something they never thought they’d do (59%) and travel (49%).

Guiding has taught me that I really can make a difference to the world around me

And while volunteering with guiding has a big impact on volunteers’ lives, 91% of those who give their time to the charity also say that one of the best things about guiding is the chance to give girls and young women across Scotland amazing opportunities.

Fiona Dalziel, 48, is a guide leader and senior section leader in Angus. She joined Girlguiding Scotland as a Brownie and returned as a leader 20 years ago when her daughter joined the Rainbows.

She said: “Guiding has taught me that I really can make a difference to the world around me, from small individual things to being part of a bigger picture.

“The skills I have learned through guiding have helped me every day in my job and are truly invaluable – as I look back over the last 20 years or more I can attribute a great deal of my success in the workplace to the skills I learned in guiding!

“I also love working with young people – you can have the worst day ever but when you go to Guides and spend time with these girls and young women, all the nonsense of the day fades away and life is good.”

Sue Walker, Girlguiding Scotland’s Scottish chief commissioner, said: “The work our 12,000 volunteers do to bring guiding alive for our young members is truly inspirational and as our survey shows, volunteering with guiding can change your life too.

“There are more than 6,000 girls across Scotland waiting to join guiding, so we’re always on the lookout for new volunteers to ensure every girl who wants to gets the chance to take part.

“If you’re after a new start this Christmas, we’d love to hear from you!

“As a volunteer you could find yourself helping girls learn about stars, campaign for women’s rights, go camping or even travel abroad.

“In return, we look after our volunteers with dedicated support, training and skills development.”