At Girlguiding UK we give girls a voice!

As a truly girl-led organisation, we’ve always sought and acted upon the views of girls.  To help make sure girls’ voices are heard outside guiding as well we’ve conducted one of the most extensive surveys of girls’ and young women’s views by any organisation in recent years, representing their views to decision-makers and the public in a series of landmark reports.  Because our report series helps 500,000 girls to pump up the volume in expressing their views we’ve called it Girls shout out!

Active citizenship: Girls shout out!

Political outsiders: we care but will we vote?

In our fourth Girls Shout Out! report published in December 2008, we explore what active citizenship means to girls in guiding. We find a generation of young women who care passionately about the issues that affect them and who play an active role in their communities. However, our members, traditionally among the most active citizens in their age groups, also reveal real disengagement from both local and national politics and question its ability to effect change. Working in partnership with the British Youth Council and equality campaigners, The Fawcett Society, this report examines the ways in which girls and young women participate in society and shares their opinions on how to engage this generation of potential voters with the political process.

The whole report is available to view as a Flash website or you can download a PDF of the report from this page.

Teenage mental health: Girls shout out!

A generation under stress?

Pressure to grow up quickly, materialism, boredom, bullying and premature sexualisation are taking a heavy toll on the emotional well-being of girls and young women.  This, our latest report, published in July 2008 in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, reveals the complex spectrum of emotional difficulties facing young women – and how we can provide the spaces and opportunities they need to flourish.

The whole report is available to view as a Flash website or you can download a PDF of the report from this page.

Self esteem: Girls shout out!

Under ten and under pressure?

Girlguiding UK teamed up with beat, the UK’s leading eating disorders charity, to find out what girls in guiding really think about self esteem and body image.  The research, published in October 2007 shows that for today’s girls, concern over appearance and body image emerges at an ever-younger age.  The report explores girls’ thoughts and feelings about looks, relationship and self-esteem – and reveals ways in which we can all help boost their confidence, ease the pressure and support them in reaching their full potential.

The whole report is available to view as a Flash website or you can download a PDF of the report from this page.

Girls shout out!

A UK-wide research report

Reflecting the views of over 3,200 girls in guiding on the issues shaping the lives of their generation, this report, published in March 2007, reveals an ambitious generation of young women ready to grasp their place in the world with both hands.  It shows how much they value Girlguiding UK’s girl-only environment – a place where they can share their feelings, grow in confidence, form strong friendships and know that they have a chance to shout out about the issues that matter to them.

You can download a PDF of this report from this page.