Girlguiding UK has announced that it will continue to run operations in British Overseas Territories.
Last April, the charity published plans to end British Girlguiding Overseas operations, citing the “organisation’s future ability to run an overseas operation in 36 countries and territories, each with separate laws and regulations”.
At the time, the trustees said that Girlguiding in British Overseas Territories was still running and a decision would be announced in 2024.
In a statement published yesterday, the charity said that its activities in British Overseas Territories “will stay as part of Girlguiding”.
Last year, Girlguiding also announced it would close its five activity centres in Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain due to underinvestment and fewer members using them.
MPs called the decisions to close its five centres and end overseas operations “utterly bizarre”, which then prompted the Charity Commission to open a regulatory compliance case into the charity.
Operations to become part of Girlguiding North West England
Girlguiding said that guiding in Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands “will be integrated into the structure of the Girlguiding North West England region”.
Guiding in these areas “will be governed by senior volunteers and staff in the region”, with a transition period that will be completed by 1 September.
“Over the past year, we have been working with senior volunteers in the nine overseas territories on a way forward for Girlguiding activities to continue,” the charity said.
“As a result, we have agreed that Girlguiding North West England’s board of trustees and management structure will provide support to, and oversight and assurance of, guiding organisations in British Overseas Territories, as with their other areas of responsibility.
Dedicated resource agreed
The charity said that “a dedicated resource within the Girlguiding North West England region, funded by the British Overseas Territories, has also been agreed”.
“We’re delighted that members in British Overseas Territories can continue as part of Girlguiding so girls can be themselves, feel at home, have fun and try new things – enjoying time with friends and encouraged by amazing volunteers.
“Thank you to our trustees, international commissioner, senior volunteers, commissioners, members and staff who worked to develop a way forward for members in British Overseas Territories to stay as part of Girlguiding.”
Civil society minister Stuart Andrew posted on social media: “I’m pleased to hear that Girlguiding in the UK Overseas Territories will remain part of Girlguiding UK.
“I would like to extend a wholehearted thank you to all those who have worked tirelessly to find a solution that protects these vital services for young people.”
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