On 24 April, Sarah Scott and Jayne Armstrong, both from Cambridge, were presented Girlguiding UK’s highest accolade – the Queen’s Guide Award by BBC newsreader, Kate Silverton.

Sarah and Jayne were just two of over 60 young women receiving the award at Gibson Hall in London.  As a queen’s Guide herself, Kate Silverton said: “I remember feeling a great sense of achievement, not least because I was one of the youngest Guides ,if not the youngest, to receive the award at 14”. Jayne, who is studying to be a nurse said: “To complete the Award I led a Guide camp to gain Camp Licence, which qualifies me to take my Guides away for another fun holiday. For the community action part of the challenge, I volunteered at a day centre for the homeless and wrote a project about my experiences.  Towards the end of the Award, I went on a four-day expedition in the Peak District. Although it was the middle of August, it was cold and wet and we even had a hailstorm, but managed to rise up to the challenge and successfully complete the expedition!” 

Kate Silverton

Jayne and Sarah

County Comissioner, Sue Carpenter, is delighted to celebrate their achievements.  She said: “Being a Queen’s Guide indicates you are a committed, determined person; community spirited and prepared to go the extra mile. The award is a great recognition of hard work and achievement.”

Queen's Guide Badge

The Queen’s Guide Award – an equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh Gold scheme – takes three years to achieve and includes elements like volunteering in at least two community projects during the course of a year. Queen’s Guides are also asked to demonstrate leadership skills on an expedition.