Three Conservative MPs have criticised Girlguiding UK’s decision to shut down its activity centres and cease overseas operations, ahead of a Westminster debate this afternoon.
The debate on the “role and future of youth programmes and Girlguiding” was secured by Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
Dinenage said the proposed closure of all five Girlguiding outdoor activity centres in the UK, as well as the shutdown of British Girlguiding Overseas, was “deeply concerning”.
“Now is not the time to be pulling away from providing those opportunities, but we should instead be providing more opportunities for young people to have fun, spend time outdoors, socialise and be children,” she said.
Girlguiding last month confirmed its decision to close its five activity centres and put an end to its 100-year-old British Girlguiding Overseas operations, despite tens of thousands of signatures asking for the charity to reconsider.
Its activity centres in Blackhand Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain will remain open until the end of 2023.
MPs: Selling activity centres ‘is clearly wrong’
Two other MPs criticised the decision to sell the activity centres.
Nigel Evans, whose Ribble Valley constituency is home to the Waddow Hall activity centre, said he was “incredibly disappointed by the recent decisions which have been taken by Girlguiding”.
“At a time where we need to be seeing more investment and energy put into getting girls and young people to enjoy the great outdoors, after they were cooped up for so long, to be selling off the facilities which enable just that is clearly wrong.
“Whilst of course financials must be considered, it very much appears to me that Girlguiding have chosen the simple, easy route, at the expense of their members.
“I have urged them to reconsider their decision, in writing and in person. It is wholly disheartening to see that there has been no willingness to reconsider this approach and I know many guides feel very let down. As they know, once these centres are sold, they will be gone forever.
“I have given my wholehearted backing to the new groups set up to try and save these sites as activity centres, particularly the Waddow Hall Trust in my constituency, and I wish them all the best.”
Robert Largan, whose High Peak constituency is home to Glenbook, said: “Glenbrook is a much loved centre and has been an important Hope Valley facility for many years.
“I sincerely hope that a way forward can be found that keeps the centre open and available for the community to use and enjoy.”
Charities being set up to purchase centres
A spokesperson for Save Our Centres, a group which has been campaigning against the centre closures, said it is “very disappointed” that Girlguiding trustees have not altered their original proposal to close the centres “despite receiving thousands of messages of protest from the charity’s members, both girls and volunteers”.
They added: “We remain committed to helping members manage the practical and emotional impacts these decisions have had on all members of Girlguiding.”
The spokesperson added that the group is committed to helping and supporting the groups attempting to set up charities to purchase the training and activity centres (TACs).
“To secure a positive legacy for the TACs, we are asking Girlguiding to give preference to potential buyers who intend to keep the TACs as activity centres, to invest the sales proceeds from the TACs and using all the associated investment income to support future outdoor adventure for Girlguiding members,” they said.
‘Girlguiding’s board of trustees has a responsibility to make decisions for Girlguiding that enable it to further its charitable objectives for girls. Our board of trustees regularly review our strategy, risk and assets and how to use our charity resources most effectively, so we can reach more girls and continue our core mission to help all girls know they can do anything.
The charity said: “Our board of trustees recently made two strategic decisions regarding the future of British Guiding Overseas (BGO), and the charity’s five UK-owned activity centres.
“We understand that the announcements regarding the closure of British Guiding Overseas and our activity centres are sad and difficult news for our members and we thank everyone involved in British Guiding Overseas and with the activity centres.
“The operating environment has changed substantially in recent years and both these areas of work are no longer viable owing to the financial and operational risks.
“We do not receive any core recurring revenue funding from government. We rely on member subscriptions, grants, a small amount of investment income and fundraising.
“Like many charities, Girlguiding has had to make difficult decisions in challenging times with limited resources, but it is always important to be focused on our core mission, vision and purpose. For over 100 years, we have focused on what drives, challenges and excites girls and we remain committed to giving all girls opportunities.”
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