Girls' Brigade

Supporting Girls to Grow, Lead and Belong Case Study

The Girls’ Brigade is grateful for the support of the Uniformed Youth Fund, which has played a significant role in strengthening our work with girls and young women across England and Wales. Through the funding, we have been able to develop confidence, skills, and agency among girls, while equipping volunteers with the tools they need to support young people effectively.

Feedback from our stakeholders highlights the distinctive impact of The Girls’ Brigade. One comment, shared during a recent stakeholder video, captured this powerfully: that The Girls’ Brigade celebrates young women for having “the character of leadership” rather than simply occupying a leadership role. This reflects our intentional approach to developing values, confidence, and leadership qualities in every girl.

Over the last year, the UYF grant has enabled significant progress across the organisation. A Summer Update video, shared with volunteers and at the Girls’ Brigade Conference in July, celebrated the momentum and growth achieved in just three months. Much of this progress has been directly supported by the funding, which has allowed innovation, renewed focus, and increased reach.

One key area of impact has been the refresh and relaunch of around 50% of our programme resources. These were developed in close partnership with girls, young women, and volunteer leaders, ensuring the materials are relevant, engaging, and reflective of the realities facing children and young people today. New resources have also been created specifically for 14–18 year olds, addressing more challenging topics in an age-appropriate way, with safeguarding embedded throughout delivery.

The funding has also supported our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. In 2025, Girls’ Brigade re-launched our EDI policy and introduced gender guidance for the first time. This was built on earlier case studies and national media coverage, with local groups using the guidance to make practical adjustments so all young people feel welcomed, valued, and safe.

At a local level, the impact of the funding is clearly seen in increased membership. Groups such as 3rd Southwick have welcomed significant numbers of new girls, supported by initiatives like “bring a friend” events. These simple but effective activities have helped girls invite others into a safe, fun, and supportive environment.

Together, these examples demonstrate how the Uniformed Youth Fund continues to enable The Girls’ Brigade to reach more girls, deepen impact, and create spaces where young women can grow, lead, and thrive.