Joe Hopkinson (Tawny Owl)
Unit: 1st Kingsley Holt Brownies
District: Churnet Valley
Division: Threapwood
Other Guiding roles:
Unit Guider of 1st Kingsley Holt Brownies and a Brownie Guide Mentor
What is your day job?
Housewife & Part time Admin Assistant
How long have you been in Guiding?
I was a Brownie, then a Guide and went onto Rangers. Then I left and came back as an Assistant Guider 11 years ago and then went onto be a Unit Guider.
What was it that made you join?
When I was younger I wanted to learn new things and make new friends. Then I came back into Guiding because I wanted to give other young women the opportunity to experience different challenges and have fun like I had when I was a Brownie, Guide and Ranger.
What is your favourite part of Guiding?
I love taking my unit away on Themed Brownie Holidays, because that’s where I can get to know the girls better individually. What there likes dislikes are and encouraging all the girls to fully take part in everything by doing their best for themselves. (Of course having lots of fun and laughter along the way)....
What has been your best moment in Guiding so far?
I would probably say going away on an international trip to Vienna in Austria, when I was a Ranger.
Also having girls who were my Brownies and took their promise with me when they were 7, to having them turn into excellent Young Leaders, and all three of them are now on their Adult Leadership Qualification, aged 17. I’m chuffed that I may have inspired them to continue on the Guiding Path.
Is there anything you would like to achieve within Guiding?
I am currently organising a trip for my whole unit to stay over at the ICANDO Centre in London in September with a visit around Buckingham Palace and whilst I feel slightly nervous as this is something I have never done before, I am hoping it will be a trip of a lifetime for my Brownies, Guiders, and Young Leaders.
And briefly, sum up what Guiding means to you
Guiding is my life; I know that I could never not do it.