Girlguiding members from across the Island came together as part of World Thinking Day (WTD) 2025 to celebrate a day of international friendship and reflect on “Our Story”.
On 22nd February 2025, dozens of members, volunteers and families joined together in Newport as part of the wider Girlguiding South West England network to celebrate World Thinking Day, a special day in the Guiding and Girl Scouting calendar.
Graham Biss BEM JP (Island High Sheriff) was a guest and a number of Girlguiding Long Service Awards were presented including Jeanette Ralph 10years, Helen Coleman 20 Years and Liz Tagart 40 years.
High Sheriff Award for outstanding volunteering
The High Sheriff surprised Girlguiding IW Commissioner, Linda Stone, by presenting her with his High Sheriff Award for outstanding volunteering. Linda has been long time leader of 1st Carisbrooke (Princess Beatrice Own) Guide Unit and as well as volunteering in this role has been County Commissioner since 2019.
Over the years Linda has undertaken various roles within Guiding including taking large groups of girls to International Camps and events on the mainland.
Graham Biss congratulated Linda and said how he appreciated all the Island’s volunteers. In return Linda said that she was so surprised to be given this Award but it was not just for herself but for all the Girlguiding IW volunteers.
Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship. It is an opportunity to speak out on issues that affect young women and fundraise for 10.8 million Guiding members and Girl Scouts in 153 countries. Occurring every 22 February, the theme for 2025 was ‘Our Story’, with Girlguiding members being able to reflect on the values of the movement, including exploring how they can understand the past in the World today, while supporting today’s girls around the World.
This year, Girlguiding South West England, one of the 9 Countries and Regions in the UK that forms part of the wider Girlguiding movement, encouraged its 16 counties and islands to celebrate World Thinking Day with local events. A Region resource activity pack was created around the idea of ‘looking wide but looking wider still’, encouraging girls to think about their Guiding sisters both locally and internationally.
A range of activities
On the Island young members took part in activities including tasting food from different countries, recycling discarded items to create new, handicrafts and learning about Guiding Worldwide. This event, held at Quay Street Methodist Church Hall and organised by Leader Harriet Townsend, was open to all members from 4-year-old Rainbows through to 18-year-old Rangers, the volunteers who support them as well as parents and carers. All members taking part gained a WTD Badge.
As well as the Newport event an additional event was held at Sandown where as well as the activities members enjoyed songs and a collection raised funds for Guiding Worldwide.
Get involved
Volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities are welcomed by Girlguiding For more information about volunteering with Girlguiding, visit the website or email [email protected]
News shared by Suzanne on behalf of Girlguiding Isle of Wight. Ed
