New Rangers section opens for girls aged 14 to 18 in Thatcham

A new Rangers section has opened for girls aged 14 to 18 in Thatcham.

Girls are invited to sign up and enjoy a range of activities and community volunteering.

The section recently reopened after closing three years ago due to a lack of girls and volunteers – and still needs more to continue and expand.

Adult leader Shelly Young, from Thatcham, said: “A lot of it for the Rangers, when they get to this age, is about giving back to your community and finding where you fit in your community.

“At the moment, we're a new unit and it takes time to build things up.

“This area does struggle a lot with volunteers. Parents sometimes have to step in.

“We are hoping we can move somewhere bigger because we have more girls that want to join.”

The section meets each Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm in the back room of the 1st Scout Hut, on Thackeray Lane, which turns 90 this year.

Seven girls have signed up so far, with up to three leaders helping to mentor younger age groups.

Bethany, 17, from Thatcham, has been involved with Rangers for nearly three years.

Speaking about what made her stay on, she said: “I enjoyed Guides and wanted to continue when I was a bit older and more independent.

“(Mentoring) was quite daunting at first, because I'm naturally quite a shy person, but throughout Girl Guiding, I've improved my confidence. If you asked me five years ago, I wouldn't have done this.

“I obviously mentioned it on my university applications and in interviews before.”

Emily, 17, from Thatcham, has completed her Gold Award and is joining the Bucklebury Rangers on a six-day visit to the Netherlands.

“I just like being here because it makes me interact with people,” she said.

Mrs Young, a former Brownie, explained why she and others decided to restart the group.

“It came about because my own child turned 14 and there's nothing in the area for her,” she added.

“And like a lot of parents, I do worry, especially with young girls, what they get up to or where they go.”

But there was another reason.

“I started doing this because I nearly lost my life to sepsis,” she continued.

“I was in a coma, and it was actually the Girl Guides that stepped in and supported my family and my daughter when I was in hospital.

“So, I had it in my head I was going to volunteer for Girl Guiding when I came out.

“A lot of these girls do it because they've received help from various places in their personal lives.”

Next week, the Rangers will be giving out gifts to strangers around Thatcham in random acts of kindness.

The section is always on the lookout for new members and adult leaders to help run meetings.

Please contact thatchamrangers@outlook.com or visit the group’s Facebook page (Thatcham Rangers Public Page) if you are interested in joining.