Over the past year, Girls Friendly Society has done something extraordinary. Together with girls, volunteers, supporters and partners across the UK and beyond, we created what is believed to be the world’s longest friendship bracelet and officially smashed the previous world record.
As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, thousands of people supported us to create a giant bracelet measuring an incredible 1,362.41 metres, beating the previous record of 852.19 metres.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible
We want to say a huge thank you to every girl who braided a section during a GFS session, every volunteer who encouraged and supported them, every supporter who ordered a bracelet‑making pack, and everyone who stopped by an event, festival or stall to join in.
We’re also incredibly grateful to Dylan Thomas Community School who helped us make the final celebration possible.
Over 4,000 hand‑braided sections were made by at least 2,000 people.
Some came from long‑established GFS groups, others from first‑time supporters, corporate volunteers, festival‑goers, and even friends of GFS from overseas.
Every single section mattered.
A national effort, woven with friendship
The friendship bracelet project began last summer, when we invited our GFS community and supporters to get involved by ordering bracelet‑making packs and creating sections wherever they were. More than 2,000 packs were requested, with GFS groups contributing hundreds more metres through their regular sessions.
Each bracelet section told its own story, but all were connected by the same values GFS has stood for over 150 years.
Seeing it all come together
On 22 April 2026, we brought the full bracelet together for the very first time at a celebration event at Dylan Thomas Community School in Swansea.
Girls, volunteers and supporters gathered to help lay it out, measure it officially and celebrate what we had achieved together. Seeing the full bracelet stretched out was an emotional moment and a powerful reminder of what can happen when communities come together with our girls.
Our Chief Executive, Heather Smith, said:
“This bracelet is more than a measurement. It’s a powerful symbol of what girls can create when they feel supported and connected.
Every section was made by someone who believes in giving girls a safe space to belong.
We’re so grateful to everyone who took part. This achievement belongs to every girl, volunteer and supporter who helped bring it to life.”
A milestone we couldn’t have reached alone
Founded in 1875, Girls Friendly Society has been supporting girls and young women for 150 years. Today, we work with around 600 girls across 31 community groups, offering regular sessions focused on wellbeing, confidence, creativity and friendship, particularly for girls facing disadvantage.
This record‑breaking bracelet perfectly reflects who we are and how we work. It is creative, collaborative and rooted in connection. Most of all, it shows what’s possible when people believe in girls and show up for them.
Help us support the next generation of girls
If this story has inspired you, there’s a simple way to be part of what we do next.
Your donation helps us create safe, supportive spaces for girls, fund regular group sessions, train our volunteers and reach girls who need us most. Just as every bracelet section mattered, every gift – big or small – makes a real difference.
Support Girls Friendly Society with a donation today and help us continue our work with girls for the next 150 years.
To everyone who braided, tied, encouraged, shared, donated, measured, celebrated and cheered us on:
Thank you. This record is yours as much as it is ours.