Guiding Longford's girls

Five volunteer Leaders from Ardagh Girl Guides travelled to Irish Girl Guides National Training Centre in Tallaght for Free Being Me (FBM) training delivered by WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) over the weekend.

Free Being Me is an educational programme that promotes body confidence and a world free from appearance-related anxiety.

Through relevant, exciting, accessible and learner-led activities, young people learn that body confidence and self-esteem come from valuing their bodies, challenging beauty stereotypes and advocating for a healthy body image in their friends, and communities.

All around the world, young people – especially girls and young women – struggle with self-esteem as a result of low body confidence.

They often lack body confidence because they are constantly told to achieve an impossibly ‘perfect’ look: society’s beauty standards.

The impact of all this pressure has serious consequences on young people’s physical and mental health, sometimes holding them back from achieving their full potential.

Free Being Me is expertly designed to support young people to recognise and challenge these global beauty pressures, grow their body confidence and ultimately become an unstoppable force for change.

First delivered 10 years ago, Saturday's training saw the roll out of an updated programme with modern, age-appropriate activities and materials.

"I am looking forward to working on these new activities and projects with the girls," said Joanna Pearman, volunteer Leader with Viking & Ardagh Guides, "having used the FBM materials over the years, some of it is quite out-dated, particularly in relation to social media and its impact on young people.

The new material and activities are flexible enough to use with all young people, not just girls, and in a positive, relatable way, address conversations about body confidence."

Donna Reilly, also a volunteer Leader with Ardagh Guide, agreed, "Free Being Me is a great tool to help young people appreciate themselves and have confidence in their own bodies, building their self esteem regardless of shape or size."

Irish Girl Guides have units in Longford town, Ardagh and Drumlish and new members and volunteers are always welcome - you don't have to have been in Guiding before to join us!

Irish Girl Guides is a uniquely girl-only, active and dynamic organisation, offering a varied and exciting programme for girls and women from age 5 upwards! Ladybirds - aged 5 to 7 years; Brownies - aged 7 to 10 years; Guides - ages 10 to 14 years; Sr Branch - ages 14 up and from age 18 upwards you can become a Leader with the Irish Girl Guides.

There is a strong emphasis on the outdoors, environment, community responsibility and teamwork. The girls' self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills are developed as they progress through Guiding.

The Irish Girls Guides actively promotes diversity and inclusion and welcomes girls and women from all walks of life, always welcoming new volunteers into all units.

To find out more about Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides and Sr Branch email: LongfordGirlGuides @gmail.com or message 086 237 2616.