Being a YL Advisor

Being an advisor when you are in your early twenties

When I was younger I used to think ‘advisors’ within guiding were roles for those leaders with a wealth of experience. So when I was asked if I would be interested in being our Division’s Young Leaders Advisor a few years ago when I was only 22, I was shocked, to say the least!

Being presented with this opportunity so young was daunting, but I have also found my age has been invaluable for being a Young Leaders Advisor. You can still remember what it is like to be in a Young Leaders’ shoes such as what is going on at school or college, some of the pressures of being a teenager (although I still don’t understand TikTok!), and still being able to remember what it was like being a Young Leader and just how you completed some of the clauses of the Young Leadership Qualification.

My role is to support Young Leaders across the Division. This includes helping Young Leaders generally in their role and answering any questions they may have, helping them complete the Young Leaders Qualification, or exploring the next step after being a Young Leader.

My main aim when I took up the role was to make sure Young Leaders feel valued and supported. I recognise Young Leaders are the future and invaluable parts of units and wanted to make sure I could offer them support if and when they needed it. In particular, I wanted to help girls who wanted to complete their Young Leadership Qualification and make them aware of all the opportunities available to them too.

My role involves visiting units across my local area and meeting Young Leaders. I meet girls to discuss how they find their role, answer any questions they have, and see whether they would like to work towards their Young Leadership Qualification (although I recognise this isn’t for everyone and more than anything want to ensure they are enjoying their role!).

Since taking up the role I have tried a few new things too. I have introduced half-term drop-in sessions in a local coffee shop at weekends where Young Leaders can drop in with their leaders or fellow Young Leaders, this has been popular with many dropping in for a chat over a drink and cake although these are currently on pause because of COVID. I have also set up a newsletter that I circulate termly within the Division with news such as when the new uniform was introduced, upcoming opportunities, and hints and tips for those doing their Young Leadership Qualification.

There have been some absolute highlights over the last two years. I have seen several young leaders across the Division develop and grow in confidence in their roles and seen girls become Adult Leaders. I have seen several girls complete their Young Leadership Qualification too which has been fantastic, one special moment was awarding the qualification with my mum who is a District Commissioner to one of our old Brownies who was a Brownie when I was a Young Leader!

Being a Young Leaders Advisor has been so rewarding helping the new generation of guiding and I would definitely recommend taking up an advisor role. Don’t be afraid to take up such opportunities just because of your age, sometimes this can be an advantage rather than a disadvantage!