Flexible guiding

1st May 2026

Elisha is a member of the region youth network and a leader, this is her story about how flexible guiding helped her find a volunteering opportunity when she moved away to university.

When moving to uni, I decided to take a different approach to finding a unit. I waited until my second year of university to find a unit, this enabled me to find one closer to where I was located and also get used to being in a different place and know my surroundings better. I then contacted my county commissioner, who was able to find me a unit that worked around my university timetable. When speaking to the unit leader, she was very understanding of my need to be flexible around university and I found out there was no problem if I was unable to make it as other unit helpers often volunteer every week. This meant I have not been stressed if I cannot make it one week, being able to do this has allowed me to keep the enjoyment of guiding while moving away from my home town.

If you are moving away to university and would like help to find a new unit to volunteer with, fill out the volunteers on the move form and we’ll help put you in contact with the right person.