Geraldine Fallows



 
Unit: Kingsley Holt Guides 
 
District: Churnet Valley
 
Division: Threapwood
 
Other Guiding roles:  None
 
What is your day job?  Teacher! (and Taxi driver!)
 
How long have you been in Guiding?  About five years
 
What was it that made you join?   My Guider!!!  (pictured left, with me) I was asked to be a parent helper and felt compelled to help as my daughter had benefited so much from both Brownies and Guides – somehow before I knew it I was in uniform and enjoying every minute of it.
 
What is your favourite part of Guiding?  Having a coffee put into my hand when I arrive on a Thursday night!!!  Actually I guess it would be the times we have on sleepovers etc together – that’s when you can really get to know the girls and see them as real individuals.
 
What has been your best moment in Guiding so far?  Making my own promise around a real camp fire and the support I felt from all of those around me (I was so worried that I would mess up on saying my promise)
 
Is there anything you would like to achieve within Guiding?  I suppose I am supposed to say having my own unit but for me the pure pleasure is in being able to have a say in what’s going on and supporting but not taking the lead in planning and paperwork (I do enough of that in my day job).  But really I fancy going on an International trip and getting to finally go to a ‘Big Gig!’
 
And briefly, sum up what Guiding means to you – it’s my ‘hot bath and a glass of wine’, my treat in life, the pleasure that makes all the other stuff bearable.  I struggle for one reason or another to have as much time at Guides as I would like but when I get there it’s like my batteries are recharged.  Much of that is down to the energy and enthusiasm of the people around you, the feeling of being valued even if it is only for being there!!  Also it’s about being with like-minded people with the same vision that includes challenge and fun, but it’s also about the relationships that you develop and the new experiences that you have.  I would never have done or been part of so many things if I hadn’t been a part of Guiding