This National Volunteers’ Week (1st to 7th June), Leatherhead Division Girlguiding is shining the light on the benefits which volunteering can bring.
Sarita Amin has volunteered with Girlguiding since 2011 and first started offering her time, when her daughter wanted to join the local Rainbows. Sarita has now led 1st Ashtead Brownies for the last ten years, saving the unit from closure. She continues her story:-
“I have always enjoyed doing a variety of things – volunteering gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, meet incredible people, and make a real difference locally.
What started as simply helping out for an hour a week at my daughter’s Rainbow unit quickly became something far more meaningful. I discovered how rewarding it is to give something back to young girls and to the local community. Watching girls grow in confidence, learn new skills, experience activities like going away on pack holiday, watching the Lionesses and celebrating the festival of Holi, all while they build friendships, has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.
Through volunteering, I have also grown personally and professionally in ways I never expected. Using my leadership qualifications, I had the opportunity to open and run units in Bahrain, Middle East. This remains one of my greatest achievements — managing and leading a unit in a foreign country for three years, building it from the ground up.
When we moved back to Ashtead in 2016, I continued volunteering and in 2024, I also took on the role of District Commissioner, alongside being a Brownie Leader. Looking back, volunteering has given me experiences and skills I could never have imagined. From managing a charity organisation, building management to finance, leadership, and managing people, I have gained confidence, resilience, and lifelong friendships along the way.
Most importantly, volunteering has shown me the impact that giving your time can have — not only on the young people you support, but on your own life as well. Any amount of time you can offer is really appreciated and I would encourage anyone considering volunteering to take that first step. You never know where it might lead”.
To find out how you could volunteer with Leatherhead Division Girlguiding, email div.comm@girlguidingleatherhead.org.uk or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk and follow the registration link.