Derbyshire Girlguiding Leader shines on the red carpet

 A Derbyshire volunteer was treated like a true VIP at an exclusive Girlguiding celebration.  

April Peake, 32, who achieved a prestigious Queen’s Guide Award, joined hundreds of fellow outstanding Girlguiding volunteers at the Girlguiding Celebrates event in London’s West End.       

The fabulous annual party – now in its fourth year – thanked and celebrated volunteers who have recently achieved a guiding award or have been nominated by other Girlguiding members and parents and carers for making incredible contributions.  

The unforgettable afternoon saw attendees walk the red carpet, before enjoying delicious treats, refreshments and spectacular entertainment. 

April, from Duffield in Amber Valley, leads a Guide unit in the village where she grew up. 

“It was wonderful to come together with other volunteers from across the country and take the time to recognise everyone’s achievements,” she said. 

After moving back to Derbyshire in 2020 after eight years away, one of the first things April – who works in publishing – wanted to do was to get involved in Girlguiding. 

While April had been a Ranger (Girlguiding’s section for girls aged 14 to 18) in her late-teens; she had never forgotten how disappointed she had been not to join Girlguiding earlier. 

“For me, Girlguiding means opportunity, belonging, and second chances,” she said. 

“I wasn’t able to join Brownies as a child due to limited unit spaces and a lack of volunteers in my village. 

“Joining Girlguiding properly as an adult, after moving back to my home county, feels like reclaiming something I missed out on. 

“As a former Ranger, it’s also giving back to an organisation that played a part in shaping me.” 

The last three years spent volunteering for Girlguiding have been very rewarding for April.  

“I volunteer because I believe strongly in the impact Girlguiding has on young people and adults alike,” she said.  

“As a mixed-race woman, it’s important to me to help create spaces where girls feel they belong and can see themselves represented.  

“Volunteering allows me to help create opportunities I didn’t always see growing up, while supporting girls to challenge themselves, build confidence, and achieve things they may not have thought possible.” 

The Queen’s Guide award is the highest award young women can work towards in Girlguiding.  

It provides the opportunity to develop skills, give back to guiding and support local communities.  

Aimed at members aged 16 to 30, April was fast approaching her 30th birthday when she decided to try to achieve it. 

Managing to complete her Queen’s Guide award in just 18 months was a feat of huge dedication and hard work. 

“Taking on such a challenging and meaningful award at that point in my life was both daunting and exciting, and completing it has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said April. “It represents not only personal growth but also my commitment to Girlguiding and to giving back as an adult volunteer.” 

As part of her Queen’s Guide Award, April created a focused foodbank project in Duffield, giving local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers the chance to learn about the service and contribute items that were urgently needed. 

She also continued training in tae kwon-do as a black belt, delivered a county-wide mental health workshop, completed her licence to lead residential trips, and mentored new leaders across Amber Valley, among many other impressive achievements. 

Since completing her own award, April is now volunteering as the Queen’s Guide Award Adviser for Derbyshire, supporting other young women as they begin or continue their own journeys. 

“I have been a member of Girlguiding for three years,” said April. “In that time, I’ve gone from joining as an adult member to becoming deeply involved as a unit leader, mentor, and now county adviser. It’s amazing how quickly Girlguiding can become such a meaningful part of your life.” 

The Girlguiding Celebrates event was held on Saturday, June 6 at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square.  

Girlguiding is powered by over 80,000 inspiring volunteers who give their time and talents to create the best experience for girls. Girls thrive in Girlguiding. They’re on average 28% more confident than other girls in the UK, and 15% happier.1 

Girlguiding volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of girls, however much time they can spare. They also get to have lots of incredible experiences, develop new skills, and meet other like-minded people along the way. 

 For more information about the flexible volunteering opportunities available at Girlguiding, visit girlguiding.org.uk