Struggling with Guides

[Vicki78]

I moved house just over 2 years ago, mainly so that I didn't have to sit in traffic to work and back every day, and so that I'd be nearer to Leeds for social things as there wasn't much going for me in the town where I lived.

I kept going to Guides though as I run a unit where I used to live. The unit is near my mum's so I do my old journey home from work which varies depending on what time I leave, but takes approx 45 mins to an hour... I have a rushed tea with my mum, and then go to Guides, then back home again. Doesn't take as long to get home, but it means after Guides I don't get home until 9.30pm at the earliest, sometimes later depending on traffic.

I kept going to the unit because I'm the only warranted Guider. I have an over 65 helper, who used to be the GIC until she had to retire. I know she's not meant to come every week but if she didn't the unit would close. I put a message on my walking group message board asking if anyone would be interested in helping, and it worked. One of my friends said she'd like to help. She was a Brownie but didn't carry on. But the only problem is that she doesn't live near the unit either, I pick her up and drop her off as she's on the way.

Next weekend there is an Interest Day, so far I have 4 Guides interested, don't really want to go, but I feel I have to, the following weekend is District Ice Skating, they get the bus there, and back and stop off on the way back for fish & chips. Because I don't live there anymore, last year I met them at the ice rink, I never go on the ice so it seems pointless as little I can do anyway if something happens. I've got a parent going who will go on bus and ice, so my ratios are covered now, but still feel guitly for not going as my over 65 year old helper always goes.

I don't feel enthusiastic about Guiding and I'm struggling to think of ideas of what to do at Guides. Plus I'm having a very difficult time at work, so trying to go Guides on top is very hard.

I'm going to Switzerland in a few weeks time so hopefully that will get me enthusiastic again, but it still doesn't solve the problems I've got.

Recently when we went to Waddow Fever, a Guider from another unit came along... she lives in the village where Guides meets, so would be ideal to help, and eventually take over, but I don't know how I could do this as it would seem like poaching, but at some point I'm going to have to stop running the unit.

Sorry this seems very long, but all this has been building up for a while now.

[Cazbly]

Take it that she seemed a bit interested when were chatting about thing at Fever?

It may be meant to be you know. And perhaps you can get involved at Pudsey and feel more invigorated?

I stopped doing a unit when my job moved from Burnley to Shipley because I did not have enough energy with all the commuting, but still have tons of guiding stuff I am involved in, just at more convenient times to me.

Why don't you see if you can hand the unit over - it is not poaching - and try an advisors role for a while. It may work wonders for you.

[Vicki78]

Thanks Cazbly,

I'll suggest it, even if I ask her to run a few meetings first, to see if she'd be happy to run the unit itself.

I've been in touch with a unit in Pudsey as someone at work asked about Guides for her daughter and was rather shocked that I was still going to Keighley. The guider in Pudsey said I was welcome to go along etc, so I have something to persue here.. The last thing I want to do is give up as I've been involved since 7!

Vicki

[helentinkletoes]

pudsey to keighley! it's bad enough doing otley to keighley, no wonder you are struggling. I dont really have any good suggestions but if you don't ask you'll never know. I was approached to do brownies as a leader was leaving and we'd moved church (plus i wasnt keen on guides) and it was perfect timing for everyone concerned.

[Cazbly]

There dont seem to be any good route round that area - I trail from Burnley via Crosshills/Keighley and Bingley to Baildon, Shipley and that is a nightmare!

Sounds as if you have an opportunity for a good opening in Pudsey tho' so fingers crossed that this all works out well.

[Vicki78]

Thanks, I'll see how things go! nice to get some advice :-) Will keep you posted.

[Squirrel-Nutkin]

another possiblity is to try to get a unit nearer to where you now live?

[Vicki78]

Hi all,

Just to update you on the situation.. It's going to take a while, but hopefully another Guider will be able to take over, hopefully she might be able to come and run a few meetings to make it easier for me.

I've been struggling with what to do with the Guides ideas wise, and recently each patrol had different number of weeks left on GFIs. On Thurs one patrol was going to plan an evening (they didn't know in advance what they would be planning) they had 6 in their patrol. Another patrol only had 2 and decided that their planned GFI wouldn't work, so split them into 2 different patrols (not permanent though) and gave both the task of planning an international evening. both patrols did very well and came up with great ideas! and also because they were enthusiastic it means I can carry the theme on for a few weeks.

I'm going to a unit in Pudsey tomorrow evening which will be nice, and will be nice to meet people in the area, as I've lived here 2 years now, but other than walking group people, and work, I haven't met many people from the area.

[Vicki78]

I thought things were getting better but still finding it very hard travelling over to Keighley for Guides.. Work is very difficult so I'm generally physically and emotionally drained, and at the moment I'm revising lots as I have an exam next Fri. So by the time I get to Guides, I'm exhausted. Tonight I didn't even want to go, but I can't not do when I'm the only warranted leader. Then run Guides, and get home about 9.30ish. I've had to cancel next Thurs as I'm in London for the exam, and can't get anyone to do Guides. I'm behind on my accounts as I just haven't got the time.. and I need to pass this exam so all spare time has to be revising.

The Guider I thought might be able to take over hasn't been able to come to any meetings, so I don't think this will actually happen. I haven't told District yet as I thought the other Guider would be able to take over, or at least do some evenings, but now I'm thinking I will have to tell the District. I haven't really got an idea of when I'd like to stop, but as soon as possible as I just can't cope with it anymore. I've got good at hiding this from the Guides so they don't realise anything is the problem, and they are a great unit so I wouldn't want the unit to close.

[Figgy]

could they merge with another unit?

I did a 10 mile round trip to Guides each week from 2000 - 2009 after buying a house in a better location for work for me & dh.
Last easter I was running a rainbow unit near home 6.15 - 7.15(to keep uit open so dd had somewhere to go since her name had beeen down since birth) then driving to guides for 7.45 (missing the 1st 30 mins). & not getting home til half 9. It was really making me not enjoy Guiding & I took the plunge to say enoughs enough.

In Sept I started a guide unit 5 mins from home & my old unit merged with another unit in the village. It's so nice getting to & from meetings quickly, I feel enthused again about meetings & programe planning.

I'm still doing sen section in my old district as after 16 yrs there I didn't want to lose touch, but that's fortnightly & not as bad as they organise themselves prett ymuch. & it ties in with the county DofE stuff I do.

It's hard being in 2 counties, but so far it's working better than huge amounts of rushing & driving.

I hope you find a solution soon - shout if you need to meet for a cuppa & a moan.

Fx