News, stories & events

What does Girls' Brigade mean to the people who are part of it?

One of the biggest challenges within any military career is going through basic training. There's a lot of hurdles to overcome. For some younger recruits it's their first time away from home, for others it's the first time they've had to share their space with anyone else.

I joined the Women’s Royal Navy as a Wren in October 1984. Unlike my male counterparts, I didn't carry a weapon, and never went on board a ship. Having never lived away from home joining the forces was a huge change, the help and support from my time in The Girls' Brigade really helped me to adjust.

A school librarian, prefect and a church altar server, Ady wasn’t exactly regarded as one of the ‘cool kids’ throughout her school years! Although fortunate to have a good group of friends, she was often subjected of teasing by others.

Jo is an RAF Chaplain and former Girls’ Brigade member and leader. Jo says that the core values of the RAF are ones that she has lived with since the age of 5 when she arrived in the Girls' Brigade explorers section in her marvellous red jumper!

Author Ruth Leigh used to be a Girls’ Brigade community group member in Essex.

Hampshire County Councillor Patricia Stallard was a Girls’ Brigade community group member in Plymouth for around 10 years.

Volunteers' Week celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK and this year is the 40th anniversary of Volunteers' Week, so we thought it fitting to shine the spotlight on a couple of our GB volunteers with a very impressive 40 years of service to Girls' Brigade.

Meet Favour Boakye-Gyabaah, 50, Team Leader of Beautiful Gate GB in Birmingham.

Meet Grace Claydon, 27, a Leader at 1st Hawkwell Girls’ Brigade and a member of the GB England & Wales Network Executive.