LOB News Bulletin No 56 3rd January 2026
LOB Bulletin 56 3rd January 2026(1).docx
Wishing all our members and volunteers a very Happy New Year and as we turn our thoughts to 2026, we should spend a few moments reflecting on all the exciting things that have happened in 2025. The girls in our care have learnt new skills, made new friends had new adventures all because you give up your time to make these happen. Looking are our numbers at the end of 2025 we are just under our 2024 numbers for girls my hope is that 2026 will see a rise in girl numbers across the sections but especially with the Brownie age group as this is the section that nationally is at its lowest. Rainbows in some areas have very long waiting lists. It would be lovely if these girls could find a place with a unit or move onto Brownie unit waiting lists if nearing their 7th birthdays
Our volunteer numbers have risen so do not forget to claim the £50 from region for any new volunteers that have completed their training and are now on Go.
We still have several roles that need to be filled within the county, and I will be sending out a separately a sheet listing all the areas where we need someone to step up.
Leaders if you feel you need more support within your unit, please contact your District or Division commissioner and a specific request can go out for your unit indicating the role which needs to be filled. This will give new volunteers an idea where the need is.
First Response Training
7th February 2026 and 9th May 2026
Goodmayes Methodist Church, Percy Road, Goodmayes IG3 8UA. Free car parking outside or 10-minute walk from Goodmayes tube station
If you have any queries and/or wish to book then please email Simone Jays, LOB First Response Coordinator at lobfirstresponse@gmail.com
Safer Guiding Training
7th February 2026
Our County Safeguarding trainer will be running a Safer Guiding training day at Goodmayes Methodist Church, Percy Road, Goodmayes IG3 8UA. Free car parking outside or 10-minute walk from Goodmayes tube station., 10am to 3pm.
Please email lobsaferguiding@gmail.com
* Your name and membership number
* The unit(s) that you volunteer with
* The date that your highest level of Safe Space expires
Congratulations
Verity from 22nd Walthamstow for completing her leadership qualification
Bath F for completing the Commonwealth Award
Navneet M and Ellie C have completed their Peer Educator trainings and join the county Peer Educators who are waiting to deliver sessions to your units.
Dates for your diary
Saturday 7th February First Response and Safer Guiding training
Monday 16th March Jack Petchey Presentation Event – Cineworld Ilford 7.30pm
Saturday 9th May First Response training
Sunday 7th June Rainbow afternoon at Chigwell Row Campsite
Saturday 19th September Rainbow and Brownie Day at Chigwell Row Campsite
Region Updates
Our next peer education training weekend
Do you know a young leader, ranger or young adult volunteer who might be interested to become a peer educator? At our next peer education training weekend in March, participants aged 14-25 will develop new skills, improve their confidence and make new connections as they learn how to deliver Think Resilient sessions, a resource designed to help others build mental wellbeing and grow resilience.
Who: Young leaders, Rangers or adults aged 14-25
When: 6.30pm Friday 13 March – 4pm Sunday 15 March 2026
Where: The Mowgli, Polyapes Scout Campsite, Blundel Lane, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham KT11 2SL Cost: £50
Adjustment plan training – Thursday 22 January 2026, 7pm
The inclusion team will be offering training to support you in completing adjustment plans. These sessions will be an hour long and held on Zoom. They will be run by a trainer and our inclusion lead, Louise. All welcome. Please sign up here
Adjustment plan training – Fill out form
Update on assistant leader roles turning active pending
HQ have confirmed the following:
“If assistant leaders go active pending but then complete their training or DBS, they can have the role re-added but only compliance can do this, not C/Rs, so please contact compliance for help: compliance@girlguiding.org.uk
“But – we [HQ] would love to do some tidying up of roles in the process of this and if the volunteer has another leader role then they must be made leader not assistant in every unit. We would encourage any assistant leader to do the top up course, and if they don’t want to, can they tell us why so we can understand this.
“If and when any further decisions made about the assistant leader role then they will be in touch but as of yet no specific timescale.”
Any questions or feedback, please contact Jenny in the region office at jennyb@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
LDP webinars
We have added a number of webinars for celebrating every member, effective communications, and introduction to unit accounts to the learning platform. The first 2 are mandatory for volunteers completing the LDP. Celebrating every member is mandatory for those volunteers toping up their leadership qualification to become a leader.
Please remind volunteers they can join any course being run by any region but if they are struggling to find a course, please contact Jenny info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Becoming an LDP mentor
We have 3 sessions available to book on the learning platform for volunteers wishing to becoming an LDP mentor; this course is highly recommended for someone wishing to become a mentor.
https://learning.girlguiding.org.uk/course/view.php?id=747
Going away with drop-in session
The next GAW drop-in session is scheduled for Tuesday 27 January 2026 from 8-9pm.
This is open to all supporting roles:
Commissioners, Trainers, Advisers, Mentors
It’s an opportunity to ask questions, share your feedback, and connect with the wider community. Feel free to join at any point during the call. We’ll record the session for those unable to attend and upload it to the going away with support sessions page on the learning platform afterwards. Sign up and find slides and recordings from the first session at: Course: Going away with support sessions
Yours in Guiding
Annette