Girlguides have given their Hostess badge a gender neutral makeover renaming it Celebrations.
The rollout of 72 new emblems has been introduced amid a major modernisation drive that will represent ‘modern life in the 21st century’.
Hostess badges were first introduced in the 1960s and traditionally awarded for inviting a friend round and making them a cup of tea.
These activities were later expanded in 2009 to include party planning so Brownie-level girls could acquire event planning skills.
The badge was scrapped entirely in 2018 but a rebranded version has now been brought back due to popular demand.
‘Celebrations’ will recognise young people who learn about and plan celebrations and bring others together to ‘make lots of happy memories’.
The new badges have been introduced after seeking the views of more than 20,000 girls and volunteers and will be rolled out to girls aged between four and 18 across Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.
Girls will now be awarded for having a good night’s sleep, critiquing food, discovering a new hobby and planning a holiday, skills including mechanics and entomology, as well as hosting a party.
Hostess badges (pictured) were first introduced in the 1960s and traditionally awarded for inviting a friend round and making them a cup of tea
The rollout of 72 new emblems has been introduced amid a major modernisation drive that will represent ‘modern life in the 21st century’
The developments were in response to requests to add more choice to the programme and include activities to ‘help the climate’
Broadcaster and presenter Angellica Bell who has joined as an ambassador to help launch the project, said she wants to encourage girls to tackle the challenges they face while enjoying themselves.
The badges – given to girls who complete a certain challenge to wear on their uniform – are divided into sections that encourage wellness, knowing oneself, learning and having adventures, among others.
More than 4,000 badge design ideas were submitted by girls and volunteers and 11,000 girls from 753 Girlguiding units across the UK helped test them out.
The developments were in response to requests to add more choice to the programme and include activities to ‘help the climate’, ‘build confidence’ and speak about ‘interests’ and ‘fandom’ groups.
Different badges can be won by different age groups and they range from interest badges to skills builders to unit meeting activities.
The youngest, Rainbows, are eligible to win the ‘bee rescuer’ badge by helping the environment or for finding and sharing their ‘guiding sparkle’ and why they love Girlguiding.
Guides are able to earn a ‘thrift’ badge by customising, repurposing and recycling objects.
The developments were in response to requests to add more choice to the programme and to even speak about ‘interests’ and ‘fandom’ groups
Broadcaster and presenter Angellica Bell (pictured) who has joined as an ambassador to help launch the project, said she wants to encourage girls to tackle the challenges they face
Ms Bell said: ‘Girlguiding offers a safe and welcoming space for all girls, and I am so impressed by the work they do to build girls’ confidence and wellbeing, whilst tackling important issues impacting their lives such as online harm, sexism and misogyny’
Ms Bell said: ‘It was a real blast trying out the new badges with Girlguiding members.Â
‘I know first-hand just how important it is for girls to have activities outside of school to educate but also have fun.
‘As someone who thrives on challenges and is passionate about ensuring girls’ voices are heard, I feel extremely excited to be joining Girlguiding as an ambassador.
‘Girlguiding offers a safe and welcoming space for all girls, and I am so impressed by the work they do to build girls’ confidence and wellbeing, whilst tackling important issues impacting their lives such as online harm, sexism and misogyny.
‘In a world where the voices of girls and young women are not always fairly heard, I am proud to stand alongside Girlguiding and will be using my voice to speak up for equality and to show that girls can do anything.’
The badge activities were developed with Girlguiding’s youth panel Amplify, which is made up of 30 girls aged 12 to 18, and seven partners including The Royal Horticultural Society, which helped with the Rangers’ gardening badge, the Children’s Book Project, which helped with the Guides’ bookworm badge, Bletchley Park, which helped with the Guides’ codebreaking badge, and the Wellbeing of Women charity which helped with the Rangers’ “my health” badge.
The badge activities were developed with Girlguiding’s youth panel Amplify, which is made up of 30 girls aged 12 to 18
Television presenter and newly appointed Girlguiding ambassador, Angellica Bell visits Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers in Topstones, Leicestershire
Amanda Azeez, acting chief executive of Girlguiding, said: ‘The launch of these new badges is a huge moment for Girlguiding.Â
‘They’ve been designed by girls, for girls – which is so important to make sure we are staying relevant to girls’ wants and needs.
‘The response from girls and volunteers during the consultation process was incredible and really inspiring.
‘There’s something for everyone among the new badges and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact these activities have on girls, building their confidence and helping them know they can do anything.’
