Top Guiding award for Sophie

A 19-year-old girl from Warrington has received Girlguiding UK’s top accolade – the coveted Queen’s Guide Award.
Sophie Helsby, of Old Hall, was presented with the award by Chief Guide Gill Slocombe – herself a Queen’s Guide – at a special ceremony held at Rockingham Castle in Leicestershire.
More than 20 young women from around the UK joined Sophie in receiving the award, which sees participants take the lead in a number of fields, including developing a personal skill, working within pioneering community action projects, and overseeing ambitious outdoor pursuits.
Sophie, a leader with the 6th Didsbury Rainbows, whose Queen’s Guide achievements included leading an expedition in the Peak District, planning activities for a school science club, learning to drive, running a Brownie pack holiday, etc., said: “Guiding has given me a variety of opportunities to challenge and encourage my personal growth throughout my childhood and into my adult life.
“For me the biggest challenge in doing the Award was the Peak district trip, where I was taught how to use a map and then had to lead our group – my sense of direction isn’t great, but I managed it!
“Completing the Queen’s Guide Award has given me faith in my abilities to keep aiming towards my long term aspirations. It has also given me the chance to take the experience I had as a young girl in guiding and give something back to encourage other girls and young women to grow and develop.”
Picture: Sophie Helsby with Chief Guide Gill Slocombe at the Queen’s Guide ceremony.