Girl guides are appealing for parents to become leaders in Borehamwood, where there aren’t enough volunteers to organise groups for youngsters.

There are many youngsters from the age of four to 14 wanting to join scouting troops in the area — but not enough volunteers to run them.

“We are always looking for new members to join us,” the Elstree and Borehamwood district Girlguide organisation’s Katie Appleford said. “We need volunteers to help our organisation expand, to provide more opportunities for more girls in the area to get the confidence to access the world and make their own way in it.”

The movement is divided into three age-groups.

Rainbows from four to seven have been taking part this term in science experiments, learning about International Women’s Day and visiting a farm to see the animals.

Brownies aged seven to 10 have been cooking, roller-skating and going on overnight camping trips.

The older Guides aged 10 to 14 go climbing, have trips into central London, learn cross-stitching and also work for the Queen’s Guide Award and a Young Leader qualification to give them skills for adult life.

Girlguiding also give adults a chance to make friends while guiding the youngsters on their life journey.

One parent giving up her spare time is mum-of-three Elizabeth Braun, who helps run the 9th Borehamwood Brownies, who meet every Wednesday after school.

“We have a shortage of leaders in Borehamwood,” Elizabeth confides. “We need parents to come forward.

“The young girls we look after work on skills that they don’t do at school, like ‘leadership’ and ‘working in groups’ with pupils from other schools that often form friendships.”

Elizabeth, who has been a ‘Wise Owl’ leader for seven years, helps organise summer trips for outdoor craft activities at Well End scouts field, run by Hertfordshire Scout Council.

Her 9th Borehamwood Brownies also have a ‘local history’ badge, learning about the famous Elstree and Borehamwood film-studios and the farms that were there before, helping youngsters to know more about their community.

Visit go.girlguiding.org.uk/join-us for information.