We understand being a part of a military family can include constant moving, making it difficult for young people to build a stable friendship group and grow their roots. To offer girls in military families the best support we can, the Girls’ Brigade is going to set up five new groups. Each group can have up to 30 children and young people and is attached to a local church. This project is focused on areas such as Salisbury Plain, Andover and Carterton, where there is a high volume of navy, army, and air force service personnel stationed. Girls’ Brigade groups can provide girls and young women with an inspiring and nurturing community, supporting them through all the changes that are part of military life
The Girls’ Brigade have appointed a Military Families Worker, Hazel Adamson. Hazel is part of a military family, so understands the challenges well. Hazel says, ‘This new military families project is hugely welcome. We want to give girls and young women a safe and welcoming space to make friends and learn new things – which is so important when times feel uncertain. We aim to listen to girls and young women from military families, develop a picture of how we can best support them, and empower them on their journey.’ This work is crucial to enhancing the spiritual development and wellbeing of children from military families. Hazel shares, ‘we want to give a voice to those girls and young women within the church, military communities, and society as a whole.’
‘The Methodist Church is delighted to partner with the Girls’ Brigade in this ground-breaking project. When we heard of the potential difference that this project could make, we were quick to offer our support. As a nation, we owe a great debt to our armed forces personnel. One small way the Methodist Church is paying them back is to look out for their families whilst they look out for us. We’re excited about the difference this project with the Girls’ Brigade will make to many girls in military families.’ - Rev Dr Andrew Wood, the Methodist Church Forces Board.
Girls’ Brigade recognises the important work that all of the forces have done in recent years on equality, diversity and inclusion, however there remains an important role for us to build confidence and life skills to equip young women for the workplace, including potential military careers. The Armed Forces remains a male dominated sector. Several of our volunteers have served in the forces, and believe that their time in Girls’ Brigade helped them throughout their career.
Ady, who joined Girls’ Brigade as a young girl and is now a leader at her local group, credits us as one of her earliest sources of strength and confidence, stating ‘through its badgework programme and the brilliant examples set by the adult leaders, Girls’ Brigade helped me to develop a strong moral compass, which perfectly aligns with the values and standards of the Army.’ She went on to have an exceptional career in the Military Police, despite facing assumptions and stereotypes underestimating her potential simply because of her gender.
At Girls’ Brigade, our military families’ project aims to help girls learn respect for others, assertiveness and self-discipline, paving the way for them to thrive in whatever career path they choose, regardless of gender stereotypes. Ady tells us ‘my military career has also helped me to become a better Girls’ Brigade leader and I have loved being able to help bridge the gap between the military and the local communities I have served in, breaking down stereotypes of soldiers and the wider armed forces -because I certainly don’t fit the stereotypical mould!’ Being a part of Girls’ Brigade meant that Ady was never without a support system, she says ‘not only has Girls’ Brigade continued to develop me, and given me the opportunity to pay the organisation back for all they did for me when I was younger, but it has also meant that every time I have moved locations in my military career, I have always been supported by a fantastic network of adult volunteers and have made friends for life at each group I have been a member of.’
Alison, who joined the Women’s Royal Navy as a Wren in 1984, tells us ‘Having never lived away from home, joining the forces was a huge change, the help and support from my time in Girls’ Brigade really helped me to adjust.’ Alison continues to be involved in Girls’ Brigade as a leader in her local group. Our current work aims to offer girls and young women within military families a network of friends that will support them as they grow.
If you are interested in getting involved with our project, please contact us at [email protected] or call 01246 582322.
