Girlguiding leaders have paid tribute to the charity’s overseas operations, as many of its units prepare to close this week.
As part of the charity’s plan to end all its British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) operations after 113 years, units will close in the Middle East and Africa, Asia, Benelux, France and other European countries on 1 September, impacting around 2,600 girls.
Units in British Overseas Territories will remain a part of Girlguiding until 31 December as the charity explores options for organisations in these areas.
Earlier this month, BGO published a statement explaining that its multiple requests to maintain its work were rejected by Girlguiding’s chief executive and board.
This included a request for BGO to become a charity in its own right. In its statement, it said: “Sadly, our efforts have been in vain.”
A spokesperson from Girlguiding told Civil Society that BGO was not being cut due to its costs but rather because of the risks involved in its operation.
“This decision isn’t about the cost of running BGO in its current form - it is about the overall risk of operating overseas in 36 countries and territories, all with their own laws and regulations,” they said.
It comes after over 19,000 people signed a petition for the charity to reconsider its decision to cease all of its BGO operations after initial plans were announced in April.
Girlguiding: ‘Heartfelt thanks’
BGO currently takes place in 36 countries and territories and has around 2,600 members.
In a joint statement from Girlguiding’s CEO, chair and chief guide, they said: “We and all of Girlguiding are deeply grateful to everyone who has been involved in BGO over the years.
“Thank you to the BGO executive and commissioner team for their work to close BGO, and for supporting members during this time.
“We want to share our heartfelt thanks for everything that has been done through BGO to help all girls know that they can do anything.”
There will be no redundancies from this decision as BGO does not have any paid staff, Girlguiding said.
BGO: ‘Our efforts have been in vain’
BGO’s statement said: “We must sadly recognise that no solution can be found to enable us to continue as members of Girlguiding UK.
“We continue to hope that all Girlguiding members, staff and trustees will learn from these experiences and that the organisation will take time to reflect on the management and communication of these actions, as we hope that no other part of our still-respected sisterhood will ever have to face such a situation.
“We thank each and every one of you who have supported us on this difficult journey.”
