Girls' Brigade offers a programme of fun activities for girls, designed to educate, challenge and inspire along with Christian teaching that is relevant and meaningful to girls today. Companies meet once a week, from Sept to April/May each year.

The Girls’ Brigade Companies are run in local churches/missions. We have 300 in NI so there is one close to you! Click here to Find a Company near you.

The local church/mission provides:

• Leadership & Overall Management
• Premises
• Insurance
• Pastoral support
• Financial support

Girls are grouped into sections according to age:

• Explorers & under 5’s
• Juniors – age 8 -10
• Seniors – age 11- 13
• Brigaders – age 14 – 18

How to Join

Your daughter can join a GB company at any time but the best time is at the start of the season in September. Contact Us and we will send you the contact details of the Captain of your chosen GB company. You do not have to be a member of the particular church to send your daughter to their GB company.

Leadership

Each GB company is led by a female volunteer from the church/mission and she is referred to as the Captain. She will have several other female leaders to help her, who may be in charge of a particular age group, referred to as Officers. Each company may also have some additional female helpers who work under the supervision of the Captain or an Officer. Each company also has a company chaplain. Frequently this will be the minister/pastor of the church/mission. The chaplain is the most senior officer in the company and must approve all nominations for leadership training.

To become a Caption or Officer in GB each leader must undergo comprehensive training certified by GB HQ, in areas such as child protection, programme planning, leadership skills, practical skills, safety etc. there is also an ongoing programme of training for Captains and Officers in programme areas such as sport, craft, drama, camp leadership, music, modern dance, etc.

Cost of Membership

Fees
Each GB Company currently pays £9 per girl to GB Headquarters. Parents may be asked by the GB Company to make a contribution towards this either through GB Week (collection card given to each girl to collect donations from friends & family), a small weekly donation, or a one-off amount at the start of the year. Some Companies also do some fundraising during the year which parents are asked to support.

Uniform
The girls wear a distinctive uniform that promotes a sense of belonging, equality and identity. Each section in the GB has its own uniform. Uniforms are on sale in GB Supplies, 16 May Street, Belfast. Provision for uniform varies from Company to Company. Some Companies operate a uniform lending system for a nominal charge. Most Companies will operate a uniform ordering and collection service, although parents are always welcome to come in to our shop direct. Click on the relevant age section above to see the uniform required or click here to see uniform required for each section.

Why send your daughter to GB?

Do you want her to:

• Find creative, and sporting talents?
• Have fun in a safe & caring environment?
• Make lifelong friends?
• Build confidence & self esteem?
• Discover God and the relevance of the bible today?
• Develop practical skills & life skills?
• Escape from the pressures of school?
• Find a place where girls can be girls?
• Find a sense of belonging?
• Gain access to the Duke of Edinburgh’s and other awards?

If the answer is yes then click here now to find a company near you and contact us for the contact details of the local leader.

Taking Care in GB

GBNI operate under the following policies and guidelines:

• Child Protection Policy
• Anti-bullying Policy
• Alcohol & other Drugs Awareness & Education Policy
• Photo/Video Guidelines

General information about our child protection policies is included in our information for parents leaflet. Contact Us for details of these policies.