When Shagufta Sharif was a child, she longed to join the Brownies.

“I didn’t really know what they were, but I loved the uniforms!” she says. “There wasn’t much going on with Brownies where I lived, but it wouldn’t have been an option for me anyway, because it was seen as a religious organisation. As far as my family was concerned, Brownies was linked to the Church.”

Fast forward to 2013, and mother-of-two Shagufta was appointed development officer for Girlguiding North East England, with responsibility for making Guiding more accessible. She has set up 15 new Guide and Brownie packs in Bradford, in areas where the movement hasn’t previously had a presence.

Shagufta became a Guide leader in 2007, after meeting some Brownies on Ilkley Moor through her work with the Countryside Service. She went on to run a Guide pack in Farsley, and when a vacancy for development worker came up she leapt at the opportunity. She is also the Divisional Commissioner for units in Calverley, Pudsey, Farsley and Leeds.

“I’ve gained so much from being a Guide leader and I want to give all girls the opportunity to join the movement,” says Shagufta. “I feel quite resentful of not being allowed to join Brownies or Guides as a child. It’s much more accessible now, especially in areas where there haven’t been Guides or Brownies before. It’s more flexible too; meetings are held at weekends as well as on week nights.”

Last year the Department for Communities and Local Government gave £10 million to Youth United, an umbrella body overseeing uniformed youth organisations. The funding was aimed at giving every young person chance to join a uniformed organisation, such as Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Sea Cadets, Girls and Boys Brigade and St John Ambulance. Working with schools, community groups and religious organisations, they appointed development workers to create new groups for young people and recruit volunteer leaders.

Over the last 12 months, Youth United has started 11 new Guiding groups in areas including Manningham, Marshfields and Little Horton In January, a Youth United event held at the National Media Museum gave children and young people chance to find out more about uniformed organisations. Family visitors met youngsters such as St John Ambulance Badgers and Cadets and took part in events such as drumming sessions run by the Boys’ Brigade and first aid workshops led by St John Ambulance. Girlguiding volunteers held art and dance workshops culminating in a flash mob.

Maryam Imran, 18, from the 1st Millan Rangers in Heaton, began volunteering after a group was set up in her area. She said: “Volunteering with Guiding has made a positive difference to my life. I have so much fun, meet new people and make a difference in the lives of young girls.”

Shagufta adds: “Youth United organisations change lives – we want to make those opportunities open to all young people, no matter what their background.

“Our network includes Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, the Scout Association, the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets, the Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Volunteer Police, Fire Cadets and RAF Air Cadets.

Shagufta has been working with community centres and organisations such as Bradford Trident, a social enterprise run by and for the BD5 area, on setting-up Guiding groups in inner-city areas.

“Marshfields was an area identified as lacking facilities for girls – now there are Rainbow, Brownie and Guide packs there. They meet on Saturday afternoons, and are all Asian girls,” says Shagufta, who is seeking Guiding leaders from Asian and other communities.

“Asian communities have been part of society for a long time. The time has come to be active in contributing to community life,” she adds. “Volunteering with Guiding offers endless opportunities and makes a big difference to the lives of these girls.

“Guiding is an amazing organisation for any girl aged between five and 25; it builds confidence, self-esteem, team-building, motivation and offers a range of new experiences. Girls go camping and learn new skills, from outdoor activities to traditional Guiding pursuits. We’ve got 13-year-old girls going to India to help build orphanages; it broadens their vision of the world.

“Every girl should have the opportunity to be part of this movement.”

For more about the guiding movement go to girlguiding.

org.uk.