Special Needs and Disability Awareness

As Special Needs Adviser, I can offer Leaders a fun and informative evening about disabilities for girls of all ages – this can help girls in your unit understand and be aware of disabilities and special needs, and can often count towards a badge or Go For It!

The county also has a cross-sectional guiding unit (SPICE) for girls and young women with special needs that offers an online guiding program and monthly special activity meetings. The group enables girls with special needs to make new friends, have a fun time and enjoy activities supported by peer buddies. Recent activities for SPICE have included the unit launch party with a Hawaiian theme, bowling party and a music therapy session. The girls are also working towards the Anglia Outdoor Challenge.

In November the girls are off to London and in December they have a sleepover. Many of the SPICE activities are hugely grant funded and we can also help with the cost of your 1:1 carer if needed.

To hold a disabilities awareness evening or join SPICE please contact Sandra, Special Needs Adviser, on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Useful Resources:

Health care plans

Some of our members and recognised volunteers have medical conditions that require medication or extra support to ensure they enjoy guiding.  To assist with identifying these needs a set of health care plans have been created for:

   general health care

   asthma

   allergies

   diabetes

 epilepsy

personal care.

These plans should only be used if a medical condition limits a member’s ability to join in normal unit activities or if she has a medical condition which makes an emergency likely. If the member has a pre-existing health care plan it is not necessary to complete a Girlguiding UK plan.

Contact Sandra, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , for help and advice and sample plans.

Including All: Disabilities Resource Pack

Including All: Disabilties

Including Al:Disabiltiesl is Girlguiding UK's key resource for all adult Leaders working with a member who has a disability or medical condition. It is both an information resource, detailing various disabilities Leaders may encounter, and an activities resource with over 45 inclusive games and activities suitable for members of all abilities.

Including Disabilities is available from the Girlguiding UK Trading Service. Please contact Trading Services on 0161 931 2237 or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/shop to order online.

Trading Service product code: 6358  
Price: £6.25

Girlguiding UK Fund for Members with Disabilities

Applications may be made on behalf of an individual girl or young woman, a Leader, unit, District, Division or County. There is around £3,500 available each year, and most grants are for around £100.

Applications may be made for grants to:

· assist with the cost of a ‘buddy’ for an individual or group of members with disabilities attending a residential event

· provide transport for members with disabilities to attend a camp or holiday

· buy specialist equipment for a unit in which a member has a disability

· provide training for an individual or group in awareness of disabilities (ie, assessing/adapting activities) or practical knowledge/proficiency (ie manual handling) to maintain a safe environment for members with disabilities in the unit.

Members of the Trefoil Guild or Trefoil Guild projects are not eligible for this grant. The funding also does not cover:

· buddies for individuals in a unit on a long-term basis

· transport to and from unit meetings.

As the funds available are limited, you should apply to other sources of funding for projects to do with the conversion of premises to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Contact your local council, your local community foundation and Awards For All for help.

To apply for a grant you must complete the application form, which can be obtained from your Commissioner or downloaded from the Disabilities in guiding section of the website. Once completed, the form should be sent to your Country//Region Special Needs Adviser. They will make contact with the applicant to discuss and assess the suitability of the application.

For more information, contact:

Leadership Development Team Girlguiding UK on 020 7834 6242