In March, GFS took part in the The Big Give’s International Women’s Day fundraising campaign. Through our corporate and individual supporters, we were able to raise £10,000 to create opportunities to connect GFS girls.
This month, we have been delighted to use this funding to hold regional fun days for 145 GFS girls. Here are just some of the activities they took part in as they got to know each other and learn about their similarities and differences.
Workshops
The girls took part in inspiring workshops from external facilitators. Strengthening Wellbeing Together led the girls in making a gratitude tree and Parris from Journal to Dreams took the girls through some fun and empowering teamwork activities.
In the North West, the group was visited by the amazing Creating Spaces, who led the girls in a placard making session. They talked about issues they were passionate about, ranging from LGBT+ rights, bullying and animal welfare, and then made protest signs about them.
Creature Feature
One hugely popular feature with all of the girls was our creature experience. Girls explored their limits and tested their bravery by handling unfamiliar animals such as tarantulas and breaded dragons.
Building trust
For many of us, we are wary when meeting new people. Our groups in the South and Midlands built trust and had a great laugh by letting other girls paint their faces and taking silly snaps at our selfie station.
Crafts and games
It’s not a GFS get together without some good old fashioned crafts and running around. Girls made gingerbread women and galaxy jars to take home, and threw themselves into a variety of games.
All of the girls had a great day and enjoyed meeting girls from other groups – some even didn’t want to go home!
The Big Give
The support of our donors during our International Women’s Day Big Give match funding campaign made these events possible. Your donations meant that girls could attend for just £3 including all travel, activities and food. This ensures all girls are having positive experiences and making happy memories during particularly tough times this winter.
A number of our groups are currently running waiting lists, and we are currently fundraising to continue to run these groups and open more where there is demand. If you’d like to support our work, donations made from 29 November – 6 December will be double by The Big Give Christmas campaign and the Tampon Tax.
If are able to make a donation of any size to help us reach our £40,000 goal, it will make a huge difference. Donation now via girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk/tbg
Carole Jacob
Well done! Everyone had a good time by the looks of things while learning and sharing at the same time.
thanks.
Carole