Meet Laura, volunteer with Brownies and Lead Volunteer for Diversity

What do you do?

I am Laura, I am a Leader in Training at the 30th B Dundee Brownies. I was active in Girlguiding during my high school and university days, and decided to volunteer again over the past year.

I am also the Diversity Lead Volunteer for Girlguiding Dundee.

What does this mean?

I am a point of contact and support for all Girlguiding volunteers throughout Dundee. This means that I can help with individual units (e.g. help volunteers and unit leaders understand more about dyslexia, autism and/or ADHD in young girls, when they have girls with a diagnosis).

This can also mean working with other County officials to update, create or give training on various topics (e.g. micro-aggressions and racism, neurodiversity and gender, socio-economic difficulties of young people).

This can mean a whole host of different things to different people. It is a role that is not specific to one area of Girlguiding, as equality and inclusion should be considered consistently throughout our journeys.

Why do you do it?

I went to university to study sociology and politics, then completed a masters in gender studies. This is where I developed my passion for equality and education.

I believe that everyone has different experiences, abilities and backgrounds that make us who we are. No two people experience the world around us in the same way, so I think its important to be respectful and conscious of our experiences, language and biases.

This ultimately led me to this post because I want to use my knowledge and experience to help support Girlguiding Dundee in providing a safe space for all girls to grow, learn and challenges themselves.

What is your favourite part of being a volunteer?

Getting to see young girls grow in confidence, make friendships and challenge themselves to learn new skills and respect other girls’ differences.

What is your day job?

I am a Civil Servant, at the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, though I work from home most days. Which gives me lots of time to volunteer with Girlguiding.