We used Go Deep activities to think about climate change and what we can do in our everyday life to shape our communities for the future. We began by playing and holding conversations that enabled the girl guides to think positively about how they could be part of creating a climate friendly future for Turriff. The girls enthusiastically took part in all the activities. They had lots of ideas, and everyone left feeling positive and motivated to create change.
We discussed the topics below:
%20(1).jpg?width=1920&height=502&name=GODEEP%20girl%20guide%20blog%20images%20(Presentation)%20(1).jpg)
What We Did
After some fun connection games and a group challenge, the group then formed 3 teams who mapped out Turriff Town Centre and wrote down or drew what they noticed was good and bad for the environment, The teams shared their learning with each other. After a lovely sunny lunch, everyone was grouped by where they lived used their learning to imagine new, environment friendly ideas for their locality. They then used their individual superpowers to work out how to make this happen, made models of the changes they would like to see and discussed practical next steps.
At the end of the event, we reflected of what can we do next. Everyone took a personal challenge home, and the idea of contacting local decision makers arose.
The fantastic aspect of this event, which as the Guide Leader reported, "inspired some of our local girls to do a survey of one of our villages, then they wrote to the community council asking for an audience to express their views."
The girls confidently presented their views and comments for positive changes to their communities to Lynn Clever (former guide leader and Community Council member), Linda Charles (CC Member), Katie Vincent, Chair of Fyvie, Rothienorman and Monquhitter Community Council and Anne Stirling (Aberdeenshire Councillor for Turriff and District). Though some of the ideas put forward were beyond the control of the local leaders (new sweetie shop, and a McDonalds), there were some concrete suggestions given and serious concerns raised. Cllr Stirling took the girl's papers away to look at solutions for some of the issues that were within her control.
Among the themes raised were road safety and public transport and conversations continued among the Community Council and other local residents, following the girl's presentation. Four active young people were incited to come and join the local community council meeting on the 24th September and three young people have since expressed an interest to join the council formally as Junior Members. As a result of the Go Deep Game taking place at their village, the Community Council will have a community council with 1/5 of its members being under 20 years old!
Local decision makers feel invigorated about this development - as they will officially have youth voices from all 3 villages (and one hamlet) that they represent We are truly happy and proud of what the girl have achieved! And cannot wait to see how those young leaders will continue to lead and shape their community and how they will create a climate friendly future for their communities.
