Miriam gains top Guiding honour

The award was presented to Miriam by Girlguiding UK’s Chief Guide Gill Slocombe, herself a Queen’s Guide, at a special ceremony held at Dalmeny House near Edinburgh on October 27.

More than 20 young women from around the UK joined Miriam in receiving their Queen’s Guide Award which sees participants take the lead in a number exciting areas including developing a personal skill, working within pioneering community action projects and overseeing ambitious outdoor pursuits.

A leader with First Cullybackey Senior Section, Miriam’s Queen’s Guide achievements included qualifying as an aromatherapist and conducting research into ME as she herself has been diagnosed with Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome.

The 25-year-old said: “I joined guiding when I was 10 and love it right from the start. It gave me opportunities to lead and develop that I wouldn’t have got through school. It opened doors to other projects, which enhanced my CV. I was so shy, but I now have the self-confidence to believe that if I want to do something, I can do it. It is so much fun and there is something for everyone”.

The Queen’s Guide Award is the most prestigious guiding award open to members between the ages of 16 and 25. As well as the activities carried out by Miriam, other recipients experienced challenging and innovative programmes such as working with the homeless and raising money for national charities.

Chief Guide Gill Slocombe added: “Over the years the Queen’s Guide Award has given many young women an amazing sense of empowerment and confidence. I hope they will serve as an inspiration to many more young women all over the country who are thinking about getting involved in guiding”.