Real Role Models

As you will have seen Girlguiding has launched their Real Role Models campaign.

Girlguiding UK has assembled an array of famous former members – including Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds MBE and journalist Kate Silverton – to pay tribute to the skills, confidence and self-belief they gained through guiding.

The organisation has also launched ten inspirational videos featuring successful women from a range of careers and backgrounds, to inspire girls to think more widely about their futures and show them that anything is possible.

With the superb success that Team GB’s women have achieved at the London 2012 Olympic Games, there’s never been a better time to inspire girls and young women to be all that they can be – especially as recent research found many aged seven to 21 struggled to name a single famous sportswoman prior to London 2012. When asked which female sportswomen they could name, one respondent said: “That one in I’m A Celebrity…Fatima Whitbread”.

Britain’s sportswomen have made front-page news throughout the Olympic Games and many have become household names and – no doubt – role models, including former guiding members Victoria Pendleton, who won gold and silver in track cycling, and Lizzie Armitstead, who won silver in the cycling road race.

Earlier this year, Girlguiding UK’s ‘Girls’ Attitudes Explored…Role Models’ report showed girls suffering from an alarming lack of positive female role models, resulting in a narrow range of aspirations for their futures.

One the most shocking findings was that many girls dismissed entire industries and potential careers as ‘jobs for boys’, at a time when youth unemployment has exceeded 20 per cent.

Inspirational women

Girlguiding UK spent the day with ten inspirational women in a wide range of careers and industries, to show girls that no career path is out of reach.

Alex Culvin has played football at the highest level in England and the Netherlands, and is about to begin a Master’s degree.

Alex, who plays at left-back for Bristol Academy, said: “I can’t explain the importance for females to have role models, I can’t put into words how important it is.

“It’s not just in sport, it’s how you understand the things they go through to become that person. It’s all the challenges and adversity they face.”

Broadcast journalist Beccy Meehan covers financial news from around the world and presents several shows on CNBC.

Beccy said: “It’s so important to have a role model, it helps you to form your own ambition. It’s quite reassuring and motivating to see someone that has achieved what you are trying to achieve, to see what other women have tried to do.

“It’s a shame that reality TV [stars] and models have become the women with the highest profile in the media. When I was growing up there were a lot more positive women role models, and I hope that comes back again.”

Famous former members on what guiding means to them

A number of well-known former guiding members have spoken about how being a member had a positive on their lives, and equipped them with the skills and confidence that they still rely on today.

Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer and former Brownie Ellie Simmonds MBE will be competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Ellie said: “I always enjoyed Brownies when I was younger. It was tremendous fun every time with a seemingly never-ending range of different activities to do, allowing us to have new experiences and develop new skills.

“It was a place where we began to learn to work as a team, developing the skill of taking responsibility for ourselves and others, while supporting and helping those around us.”

Kate Silverton is a television journalist and presenter, and a former Guide.

Kate said: “I loved bonding with my friends as we camped out - usually with the rain falling outside – but being happy that we were self-sufficient and always 'on an adventure'.

“The experiences I had during my girl guiding days have stood me in great stead for my job today as a broadcast journalist and I look back on those days with great fondness and thanks for what I learned.”