Campaigners have urged Girlguiding’s management team to reconsider plans to close five activity centres across the UK and suggested it should sell its central London headquarters instead.
The letter by the Save our Centres campaign group, which has received over 1,800 signatures at the time of writing, also criticises the charity’s recent announcement to end its British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) operations.
A spokesperson from Girlguiding told Civil Society it is consulting staff who may be affected by the recommendations and plans to make an announcement in August on the outcome of the consultation.
Meanwhile, two other petitions calling on the trustee board to reconsider the plans have reached over 44,000 signatures altogether. There are over 28,000 signatures on the petition against the closure of the five activity centres and more than 16,000 on a petition against ending BGO operations.
Open letter challenges board recommendations
The open letter writes that it “does not accept” the trustee board's recommendations which include the sale of five Girlguiding centres and “the associated redundancies implied”.
It requests further clarification on some of the financial challenges facing the charity and presents a counter-proposal of selling its Buckingham Palace Road headquarters.
The letter suggests “using a significant fraction of the proceeds to fully renovate the centres to modern standards, adding new facilities where needed, to enable operation at their full potential and capacity, providing unrivalled guiding experiences for our young members”.
It also suggests the charity considers selling its London-based ICANDO activity centre and other offices in the capital or launches a “substantial collective fundraising effort”.
The letter calls for an “extraordinary general meeting” where proposals can be discussed further before any final decisions are made.
“This decision is simply too large and long-lasting for the trustees and council to take independently from the wider community,” it reads.
Volunteer Girlguiding leaders to hold overnight vigil
Girlguiding volunteers from around the country and overseas are set to host an overnight vigil at the charity’s Buckingham Palace Road headquarters at the weekend.
The candle-lit vigil is set to begin at 6pm on 16 June and end at 6am on the following day, to coincide with Girlguiding’s next annual general meeting.
MPs have backed the campaigners in their hope to persuade trustees to reconsider the proposals.
Conservative MP Nigel Evans spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire about the trustees’ suggestion to close the centres. He said: “What are they going to spend the money on? Laptops so they can sit at home on their couches? This is a core belief of the Girlguides that they’re meddling with. They haven’t put forward any credible alternative.”
Commenting on the Save Our Centres campaign, he said: “I believe that the campaign is just going to gather steam, to be honest. I’ve not spoken to one person who thinks that it’s a good idea.”
Mims Davies, Conservative MP for Mid Sussex, said on BBC Politics South East: “I really hope and urge them to think again, work with their colleagues, because I’ve been there with birthday parties – we’ve got businesses that are connected to the site here in Sussex that run outdoor adventures here – it’s a really serious concern for my constituents and our young people. Their wellbeing, and getting outside, has never been more important.”
Girlguiding response
Girlguiding told Civil Society it was not able to respond to the open letter or vigil directly due to its ongoing consultation with members.
The charity referred us to its previous statement: “Recently, the board of trustees have considered the future of British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) and the five activity centres Girlguiding owns - Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain.
“The board of trustees has decided to change how Girlguiding UK operates overseas and end organised guiding run by Girlguiding UK in these countries and territories from 1 September 2023. Further discussions are now taking place about how girls overseas might be involved in guiding in the future. Girlguiding is working with volunteers to support and provide information and guidance on the options available for girls.
“Further, following a comprehensive review, the board of trustees have made the recommendation to sell the five activity centres Girlguiding UK owns. Under the proposal, the five centres will keep operating until 31 December 2023. Girlguiding is now in a period of consultation with staff who may be affected by any implementation of this recommendation.
“Girlguiding is unable to comment further during this time. Whatever the outcome of this process, adventure is everywhere in Girlguiding and we remain committed to giving all girls opportunities to experience adventure within their units, near their home, and in other locations and facilities.”
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