Sheila Betts, volunteer for Girlguiding and the Jarman Centre awarded a BEM in New Year’s Honours List for services to young people
Sheila has been recognised for her varying and numerous roles in Girlguiding, the most recent and ongoing role being that of chair of the management committee of The Jarman Centre https://jarmancentre.org.uk, which is Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East’s residential and activity centre at Newmarket.
A British Empire Medal (BEM) https://www.gov.uk/honours/types-of-honours-and-awards is awarded for a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of a relatively short duration (3 to 4 years) that has made a significant difference. In Sheila’s case, she has been volunteering with Girlguiding since 1992, when she stepped in to allow her daughter’s Brownie unit in Trumpington, Cambridge to continue to thrive.
“My daughter Jess joined Brownies in 1991, and she had just made her promise when I saw a notice in the shop window saying they needed volunteers to keep the unit running. So, I ended up becoming Brown Owl at 3rd Trumpington Brownies in January 1992.”
A Brownie and Guide herself in her youth, Sheila led the 3rd Trumpington Brownie unit for 20 years – from 1992 until 2012 – when she stepped back as a unit leader, remaining involved by supporting her fellow volunteers as unit treasurer. Whilst you might think that 20 years of being a Brown Owl was reason enough to be awarded a BEM, Sheila didn’t limit her volunteering to Trumpington Brownies. Serving a 5-year term as district commissioner for the Shelford area (from 1999-2004) – leading and managing a team of dedicated and skilled volunteers – communication, teamwork and organisational skills were key for Sheila in this role. Further building on these skills, Sheila went on to use her knowledge and understanding of communications and PR to promote the work of Girlguiding to a growing audience, first becoming communications and PR adviser for Girlguiding in Cambridgeshire East county, and then communications and PR adviser for Girlguiding across the whole of the Anglia region.
A 5-year term as assistant county commissioner followed shortly afterwards, during which time Sheila was also involved in the refurbishment of Hautbois, the Girlguiding Anglia region activity centre near Norwich, where a lift was installed, and a new eco dining room extension helped Hautbois to become more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. Utilising her background in graphic design on the redevelopment project too, Sheila helped re-brand the centre to reflect the new structure and identity.
“I loved being involved with Girlguiding at a region level. I was even awarded an Anglia brooch in recognition for my time as region PR adviser.”
Hot on the heels of her work on the Hautbois redevelopment project, Sheila was asked by her then-county commissioner to step in at a moment’s notice to chair a management committee meeting of the Jarman Centre, Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East’s residential and activity centre at Newmarket. Girlguiding presents many opportunities to develop and use transferable skills, and in this case, a last-minute request to step in somehow led to Sheila overseeing the refurbishment of the centre, and still being chair of the management committee some 16 years later. Sheila’s vision has brought about widened use of the Jarman Centre, especially for midweek activities, including local schools, community, Scouting and Guiding groups. Girlguiding units in the county get priority booking for use of the centre, and it is well-used for adventurous activities and residentials alike, benefitting young members of all ages and across the Girlguiding sections. As well as continuing to serve as chair on the Jarman Centre management committee and treasurer for her Brownie unit, Sheila has been county vice-president for Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East since 2021.
“My highlight as a Brownie leader has to be taking girls away on residentials. Brownies is a special relationship – not like at school or home – and I love seeing how the girls develop and grow in confidence.
Volunteering on the Jarman Centre management committee has at times been hard work and intensive, but it’s worth it to help give opportunities to Brownies, Guides, Rainbows, Rangers – and more – to go on a residential and have adventures.
I always try to do my best in whatever I do, just as it says in the promise. I didn’t expect to receive an award. I got a Laurel award in 2013, and that was just amazing, I really didn’t expect this!”
Joint county commissioners for Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East, Kate Willetts and Claire Adams said “We are incredibly proud and delighted that Sheila has been awarded a BEM in recognition for her work with Girlguiding and invaluable support of the Jarman Centre. Sheila is an amazing volunteer and role model to help all girls know they can do anything.”
