Spotlight on Girls Friendly Society Smethwick
What’s the full name of your organisation, and when was it first set up? How many people work/volunteer for you? Girls Friendly Society was first established in 1875 and has grown such much since then. We operate in multiple areas across the country. In Smethwick, there is one group leader and a small pool of volunteers.
Tell us what you do and who you support? GFS work to create a world where all girls and young women can thrive, are free to be themselves and are proud of who they are. Our Smethwick group runs weekly on a Monday from 5.15 pm to 6.30 pm at the Dorothy Parkes Centre. Girls come along to take part in fun and tailored activities that aid in their personal growth.
By the end of their time with us, we aim for every girl to be able to say (to whatever degree is right for her):
- I can speak up about things that matter to me
- I am proud of who I am
- I try again if I have a setback
- I can try new or unfamiliar things
- I believe I can achieve my hopes and dreams
- I can enjoy friendships with all kinds of people
Tell us how that makes a difference, and anything you’re especially proud of. It’s very rewarding to see girls come to our group and feel they can have fun and be themselves. You see their confidence grow the more they attend and it has a positive impact on the other girls too and the dynamic within the group. One girl, when asked, said “at school I’m not very confident but at GFS [Girls Friendly Society] I am.”
What lessons have you learnt about working with people in Sandwell? There is a real sense of community in Sandwell and it’s great to be a part of it.
What are your plans, and some of the challenges you face? As well as the group for girls in Y2 to Y5, we will be launching a group for older girls in Y6 to Y8. We would like much more girls to join both groups. The biggest challenge is that not enough people are aware of GFS and that’s what we’d like to change.
We’d also like to take on more volunteers too so, if you can spare a couple of hours a week and like to work with children, we’d love to hear from you!
If you wish to learn more about your local Girls Friends Society, please email Fareisha Kelasi, Group Leader, at fareisha@girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk