Latest Update - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Statement

20th January 2022

20th January 2022                                                                            
 
Dear GB Captains/Correspondents,
 
The GBNI Executive Team decision to maintain face-to-face company nights remains in place.  National and District meetings can be held either virtual or face-to-face at your discretion.  GB companies must continue to comply with current government guidelines and manage any risk that COVID-19 presents towards its leaders and members in relation to GB activities. Public Health Agency guideline compliance is mandatory and face coverings must be worn at all times.
 
We would like to encourage you all to continue to submit your Company Night Risk Assessments and COVID-19 GB Management Risk Assessment to both your church leadership and GBNI as required.
 
Our online engagement continues, our blogs are still available, keep an eye on our social media announcing new blogs. 
 
NEW Activity Monthly Challenges can be viewed on the website and on our Facebook and Instagram pages.  Don’t forget to send your pictures and videos of your girls taking part to events@gbni.co.uk to appear in our special monthly feature!
 
Youth Forum: All Blogs and ‘Vlogs’ are available on our website and on our YouTube channel.
You can sign up now on the Leaders’ Section of the website for our online events:

  • Thursday 27th January – Big Quiz of the Year 2021!
  • Starting Wednesday 2nd February – Book Club reading Matt Chandler’s The Explicit Gospel
Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates with what’s happening and how you can be involved.
More information will be available about that this week, but please email youthforum@gbni.co.uk for more information and keep an eye on our social media pages for more details.
 
If you have any website login issues, please contact, Leeanne Railton, via adminteamleader@gbni.co.uk.
 
GB Collection Week
It’s time to hunt out and dust off those GB week cards from your November 2020 pack, as our GB Collection Week is back. 
Starting from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th February 2022, if you desire to, your GB company can ask your girls to help raise some vital funds to support your local company by participating in our Annual GB Collection Week.  These funds can help towards your programme resources, equipment, badge awards, gifts for the girls, GB fees, trips or general running costs, etc.
We appreciate with the current climate; it may be difficult to ask families to contribute.  Consider only providing one card per family; setting a realistic amount to collect and/or make it fun by asking the girls to complete a fundraising challenge as part of the collection.
If you have misplaced your cards or need extra, please contact customerservice@gbni.co.uk to check availability.
 
 
Annual Assessments
A big thank you to all the GB companies that have notified GBHQ of their restart dates for GB company night activities and for completing their Annual Returns.  We know it has been a tighter turnaround than normal for everyone due to the later start in the year, however, we are thankful for your cooperation in completing your Returns in good time. 
Annual Assessments will be issued shortly to all company Captains or Correspondents.  Please can we ask that the payment for your Annual Assessments reach GBHQ by no later than Monday 28th February 2022. 
If you have any queries about your Assessment or need financial support, please can we encourage you to contact us at GBHQ immediately for assistance.
Awards/Badges/Display’s
It is at the Captains’ discretion when to apply for badges and awards.  It is the Captains discretion, in consultation with church leadership, to hold displays.  You may apply for badges as normal or you may postpone applying for your awards until the end of the GB session.
 

GBHQ Staff
GBNI Staff can still be contacted in the usual way by phone or by email and will respond to your query during their scheduled working hours.  For our staff contact details, please visit https://gbni.co.uk/about/our-headquarters/staff-team.
 
Download our prayer calendar and actively pray each day using our prayer points.  If you or someone in your company need prayer, please contact your District Prayer Coordinator or email us directly at spiritual@gbni.co.uk for us to circulate your request to our staff team and Prayer Coordinators who will cover your situation in prayer.
 
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary

31st August 2021                     

COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
With consultation from the Education Authority, GBNI have been informed that from 1st September 2021, the Education Authority will be moving all Youth Services to stage 5 of its strategy to return all services to full engagement without restrictions.  With exception to the wearing of face coverings which remains compulsory for all leaders and girls aged 11 and over; also hand hygiene and general cleaning of areas should still be followed.  All other restrictions have been removed, such as bubble groups, social distancing, capacity of building and rooms, use of kitchen areas, singing, transport etc.  

GB companies must continue to comply with current governance and manage any risk that COVID-19 presents towards its leaders and members in relation to GB activities.  Procedures still need to be in place for contact tracing and guidelines followed for isolation periods.  Please refer to the GBNI Restart Guidelines for further information.

All leaders are encouraged to be double vaccinated and hold lateral flow test kits at home to use as required.  If a leader has been a close contact with a positive case, if double vaccinated, they should carry out a PCR test and if negative result is given, they are no longer required to isolate.

IMPORTANT – The GBNI Executive Team’s decision for the return of face-to-face company nights returning from 1st October remains in place.  National and district meetings are to remain as virtual meetings until 1st October after which point Girls’ Brigade will move to the ‘Blue Phase’ of its approach to recommencing GB activities.  Please note, this is subject to change if there are any alterations to current government guidelines.    
Please ensure to discuss the above with your church leadership and seek their approval before commencing face-to-face company night activities from the beginning of October.  

REMEMBER - During the month of September, GB companies are encouraged to use this time to engage with their members, for example:

•    Contact parents and begin the registration process
•    Organise virtual reach outs – Please follow the GBNI Video Conference Policy
•    Plan an outdoor programme

Before you can commence planning face-to-face company night activities, you must complete both your Company Night Risk Assessment and COVID-19 GB Management Risk Assessment and send to your church leadership for approval.  Once approved, you must notify GBHQ of your start date for October 2021 or later and submit the above risk assessments.  Please note, notification must be provided two weeks prior to your start date and must be submitted using this link, https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/gbnirestartnotification.  If you have any queries regarding this process, please email info@gbni.co.uk for support.

We would like to encourage you to continue to engage with the GBNI weekly blogs posted every Friday on the GBNI website or have a listen to our podcast series to help you focus on God’s word.  If you or someone in your company need prayer, please contact your District Prayer Coordinator or email us directly at info@gbni.co.uk for us to circulate your request to our staff team and Prayer Coordinators who will cover your situation in prayer.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk.   We wish you every blessing as you prepare for restart: be assured you have the full support of the staff team here in HQ so don’t hesitate to contact us.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary

5th August 2021       
             
COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
The GBNI Executive Team met on Wednesday evening to review the return of GB face-to-face activities and their priority remains the health and well-being of members.  Numbers of new cases are again on the rise and with the return of schools in September they are mindful of the need to keep things under constant review.   

Accordingly, the GBNI Executive team has agreed to a phased return to company night.  GB companies can, with their church leadership’s approval, plan to return to face-to-face company night activities from the beginning of October.  Please note, this is subject to change if there are any alterations to current government guidelines.  Please forward this communication on to your church leadership.

During the month of September, GB companies are encouraged to use this time to engage with their members, for example:

•    Contact parents and begin the registration process
•    Organise virtual reach outs – Please follow the GBNI Video Conference Policy
•    Plan an outdoor programme – following current government guidelines

A copy of the GBNI Restart Guidelines is available to download from https://gbni.co.uk/leaders/resources/covid-19-resources.  If you have yet to view the recording from our Restart Q&A Webinar, you can access it using this link, https://youtu.be/0ahWjBjRJ2I.  

Confirmation that, as per last session, Captains will be able to use their discretion with attendance and badgework awards for this incoming 2021/22 session.

Changes in EA Youth Service Restart 

The Education Authority announced from 2nd August 2021 that Generic/Non-Targeted Provision can move to Stage 4 of their Restart plan.  The following changes are now in place:

•    Attending members free to engage with others (No restriction on group sizes within a bubble)
•    Indoor venue use is not to exceed 90% capacity at any one time (This has increased from 75% capacity)

Notification to GBHQ

Before you can commence planning face-to-face company night activities, you must seek approval from your church leadership.  You must complete both your Company Night Risk Assessment and COVID-19 GB Management Risk Assessment and send to your church leadership for approval.  Once approved you must notify GBHQ of your provisional restart date for October 2021 or later and submit both your Company Night Risk Assessment and COVID-19 GB Management Risk Assessment.  Please note, notification must be submitted two weeks prior to your provisional restart date and must be submitted using this link, https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/gbnirestartnotification.  If you have any queries regarding this process, please email info@gbni.co.uk for support.

August Pack Week 2021

Preparations are underway at GBHQ for the August Pack Week commencing 16th August.  If you had paid postage at the time of placing your order for the Scripture Course and/or Explorer Programme File, your August Pack will be dispatched for 16th August.  If you plan to collect your August Pack from GBHQ, the GBNI Shop is open for collections only every Monday and Wednesday from 9.30am to 1pm with social distancing in place.  If you would like to arrange collection outside of these hours, please contact info@gbni.co.uk.

Constitution Review

A draft copy of the revised GBNI Constitution had been issued to all GB Captains in May 2021.  Please can we ask you to submit any feedback regarding this review to myself via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk no later than 27th August 2021. 

We would like to encourage you to continue to engage with the GBNI weekly blogs posted every Friday or have a listen to our podcast series to help you focus on God’s word.  If you or someone in your company need prayer, please contact your District Prayer Coordinator or email us directly at info@gbni.co.uk for us to circulate your request to our staff team and Prayer Coordinators who will cover your situation in prayer.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk.   We wish you every blessing as you prepare for restart: be assured you have the full support of the staff team here in HQ so don’t hesitate to contact us.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary

25th June 2021                     
COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
On behalf of the GBNI PE Team, I wish to inform all GB companies that at the PE Team meeting held yesterday evening, it was decided to defer all PE competitions for a further year due to the uncertainties regarding current and future COVID-19 restrictions.

It is recognised that GB companies will have their own priorities and challenges with the restart of GB next session.  The PE Team feel it would be unfair to work-setters, leaders and girls to proceed at present and not have the full experience of the fun and fellowship PE competitions normally bring.

There will also be no production of new PE scripts or demo DVDs for this year.

Once GB companies restart face-to-face activities, you are welcome to avail of the archived PE scripts that can be downloaded from the GBNI Leaders’ Section under the Competition and Events Resources.  Please ensure current government guidelines are adhered to at all times.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary


28th May 2021   
                 
COVID-19 Statement

Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,

The EA Youth Operations Office has issued the following communication to all Girls’ Brigade companies currently registered with the Education Authority.

“The Education Authority Youth service is excited to announce the release of the 4th Edition of Youth Restart, which will introduce additional easements for the delivery of youth services.  In line with recent guidance issued by the Minister for Education, this guidance will permit with immediate effect:
•    Offsite day trips or day activities (education visits) within Northern Ireland;
•    No limit on the number of young people you can work with using outdoor spaces;
•    Provide food and refreshments as part of your youth work programme;
•    Provide supervised indoor and outdoor sports (non-contact);
•    Increase from 50% to 75% of venue indoor capacity in group sizes outlined in the guidance; and
•    No limit to the number of in-person staff/volunteer meetings or training.

“This means Youth Services is now in Step 3 of the EA’s Pathway to Recovery.  At present residential/overnight stays are not permitted.

“As always, the above easements are permissible only where organisations implement mitigations to limit the spread of Covid-19.  Guidance on these mitigations, along with sample risk assessment and checklists, are all contained within the Youth Restart Guidance (4th Edition).

“The new Edition of the Youth Restart Guidance can be accessed at:  www.youthonline.org.uk/restart along with additional restart resources.

“The Education Authority Youth Service would like to recognise and thank you for your patience as we recover youth services on a phased approach.  These easements will be critical to providing programmes for all our children and young people during the summer, in particular, to support their emotional health and wellbeing.
“The continued path to recovery relies on your commitment to ensuring that mitigations are in place, and we continue to deliver youth services safely.  In light of that, it is important to note that this current step is always subject to review by the Department of Education and the Northern Ireland Executive.”

GBNI will be reviewing our Restart guidelines issued November 2020 in due course to comply with these current government guidelines.  You can, in the meantime, refer to the EA Restart guidelines; however, we would advise you to consult with your church leadership to ensure overall compliance before making any plans to hold one-off GB activities over the summer months.

Company Night meetings remain on hold until at least September 2021.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk. 
 
Yours faithfully,
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary

14th January 2021                     

COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
The GBNI Executive met on Tuesday night to review the return of GB face-to-face activities.  In line with the current government restrictions, the GBNI Executive has agreed that GB companies will remain closed for face-to-face company night activities for the remainder of the 2020 – 21 session.  However, the GBNI Executive will keep under review the return to face-to-face outside activities, although at present these remain suspended following current government guidelines:  further updates will follow.

We would like to encourage you all to continue any form of online engagement that your GB leaders can commit to, whether by Zoom classes, YouTube videos, Facebook, crafts and challenges or sending email communications to parents.  There are plenty of resources on the Leaders’ Section to assist you and if you need any further programme support, please contact Emma Ross via programme@gbni.co.uk.

Our NI Art Competition is still open for entries until 18th January and we would ask you to encourage your members to get involved and complete artwork at home using everyday recyclable items.  For more details and how to register, please visit https://gbni.co.uk/leaders/resources/competition-event-resources.

Important - Annual Returns
Due to EA funding requirements, all GB companies must still submit their Annual Return for the GB session 2020 - 21 via the Web-Filing on the Leaders’ Section on the website.  The date for submission has been extended to 6th March 2021.  Please note the following to assist you with your submission:
  • This year’s display date – Please leave blank.
  • Programme – For information only, please let us know of any engagement you have had with your members over the period of the Pandemic.
  • Membership figures - Should be submitted based on last year’s figures; giving as close an estimate on how many girls would have moved up into each year group.  You should remove any Brigaders that would have finished with your company last year from your totals.  Remember to include your Chaplain along with your Officer totals.  
  • Risk Assessments – You will not be required to submit any risk assessments at this point.  
  • Annual Partnership Agreement/Confirmation page – For your convenience a blank copy has been attached and should be uploaded at the end of submitting your return.
  • Church Public Liability Insurance Cover – This is a new requirement and you will need to upload this at the end of submitting your return.
If you have any queries regarding the Annual Return or have any login issues, please contact Leeanne Railton via adminteamleader@gbni.co.uk.

Awards/Badges
It is at the Captain’s discretion as to when to apply for badges.  You may apply for this year’s badges as normal in March/April or you may postpone applying for your awards until the end of the next GB session.

GBHQ Staff
The majority of GBNI staff have now been placed onto flexible furlough and have had their working hours reduced.  Staff can still be contacted in the usual way by phone or by email and will respond to your query during their scheduled working hours.  For our staff contact details, please visit https://gbni.co.uk/about/our-headquarters/staff-team.

We know during this time of lockdown and being restricted in our daily tasks can be upsetting, challenging and even lonely, we would like to encourage you to keep in contact with your leaders and be a support to one another.  Take time out to read to the GBNI weekly blogs posted every Friday or have a listen to our podcast series to help you focus on God’s word in this time of uncertainty.  Download our prayer calendar and actively pray each day using our prayer points.  If you or someone in your company need prayer, please contact your District Prayer Coordinator or email us directly at info@gbni.co.uk for us to circulate your request to our staff team and Prayer Coordinators who will cover your situation in prayer.
Please stay safe, follow the rules and continue to pray that God will use this time of lockdown across our nation for His glory!

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary

3rd December 2020                                                                         

COVID-19 Statement

Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
The GBNI Executive met last night to review the return of GB face-to-face activities.  In line with the current government restrictions, the GBNI Executive has agreed that GB companies will not be returning to face-to-face activities at the start of January as previously planned.  The GBNI Executive will review the situation at their next meeting, scheduled for 12th January 2021, whilst it is hoped we will resume during 2020/21 session, they will review the most up to date government guidelines at that time.

We would like to encourage you all to continue any form of online engagement that your GB leaders can commit to, whether by Zoom classes, YouTube videos, Facebook, crafts and challenges or sending email communications to parents. 

We know these are challenging times, and this may not be the news we all hoped for; nevertheless the health and safety of all our GB members, including leaders, whilst dealing with this pandemic are of extreme importance.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary


21st October 2020                                                                           

COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
The GBNI Executive Team have met to further review the Annual Assessment for 2020/21. 
With the increasing pressure that Coronavirus (COVID-19) is bringing to our GB families and with many on the Government Furlough Scheme and possibly or already facing redundancy or a loss of earnings, the GBNI Executive are aware of the impact this will have on girls being able to return to GB when face-to-face activities restart and desire to support parents at this difficult time.

For the survival of this organisation and to fulfil its overall aim to share the Gospel with girls, it is of the outmost importance that we put all of our focus on encouraging all of our GB members to return to company meetings; to engage in Scripture so that they hear the Word of God; to participate in the GB programme to enhance their wellbeing; and to gain invaluable support from our amazing leaders.

With this in mind, the GBNI Executive have agreed that for the 2020/21 GB session there will be no Annual Assessment to be paid to GBHQ by all GB companies.  Therefore, no request for registration fees or weekly dues should be made to your parents for their daughter/s to return to your GB company.

With the hope of GB restarting in January 2021, your focus as a company is to encourage girls to return to GB for a shortened programme that has minimal costs to the company to run.  GBHQ and associated GBNI Teams have been working hard at developing online resources for GB companies to avail of, whether for online engagement or face-to-face learning:
  • Previous GBNI Scripture Course 2012/13
  • Online Zoom meeting ideas for each sections
  • Coming soon in November! GBNI Nightly Programme Resource – 12 lessons for each section that are structured for 40 minutes to compress the Physical, Educational and Service elements of GB badgework.
It is important that you still submit your Annual Return as normal by the end of January, providing GBHQ with your up to date details on your company, current leaders’ information and membership statistics.
For those companies that requested GB week cards, these will still be enclosed in the Restart Pack due for dispatch on 6th November.  Please note: that a date for GB week is yet to be agreed.

For any GB company that is yet to apply for their awards for 2019/20 session, please can we encourage you to process your order with the GBNI Shop.

If you have yet to do so, please register with the Education Authority even if you do not intend to apply for funding.  Your company registration assists the overall allocation of regional funding to GBNI.  To register with EA, please visit https://eanifunding.org.uk/register-with-ea/ and scroll down to the heading ‘Local Registration’ and click the link to register online.  Once registered, you then will be able to apply for the Generic Youth Provision Funding, if desired.   There is a EA factsheet on how to get registered, via https://gbni.co.uk/leaders/company-district-paperwork.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me via nationalsecretary@gbni.co.uk.
 
Yours faithfully,

Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary


29th September 2020
 
COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
The GBNI Executive Team have met to further review the current situation around the restart of GB activities due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
 
"Further to the communication sent on 11th September, the GBNI Executive have agreed that there will be strictly no return to any face-to-face GB activities or meetings either indoors or outdoors until the beginning of January 2021.  If you have started to make any plans to meet-up with your GB members in any face-to-face capacity, please arrange to cancel these activities immediately to comply with the GBNI guidance. ​This decision was based on the increasing levels of coronavirus cases within Northern Ireland.  We understand the disappointment this brings, however the health and safety of all our leaders, children, young people and their family members is paramount.
 
GBNI Executive have also agreed that all GB companies will not be expected to pay any more than 50% of their usual Annual Assessment.​ Further details regarding assessments and the annual returns will follow at a later date."
 
I have recently received confirmation from the Education Authority that all GB companies that have registered with EA by 4pm on 30th October will be permitted to use their funding allocation towards their Annual Assessment.  If you have yet to register your GB company with EA and to apply for their new funding scheme, please can I encourage you to do so before the deadline. 
 
To register with EA, visit https://eanifunding.org.uk/register-with-ea/ and scroll down to the heading ‘Local Registration’ for full details.  Once registered, you then will be able to apply for the Generic Youth Provision Funding.   There is a EA factsheet on how to get registered, via https://gbni.co.uk/leaders/company-district-paperwork.
 
The distribution of the October Pack will now be put on hold until 6th November.  If you have arranged a collection date with the GBNI Shop, we have transfered your booking to the same day and time of the week commencing 9th November.  If this slot no longer suits you, please contact Margaret Megahey to rearrange via  customerservice@gbni.co.uk or dial 028 9454 8054 (Press 1).
 
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary


Update 11th September 2020
 
COVID-19 Statement
 
Dear GB Captain/Correspondent,
 
Under the extreme circumstances that we find ourselves in due to Coronavirus (Covid-19), the GBNI Executive Team have met to consider the certain situation around the restart of GB activities.  This situation will remain under constant review as the situation continues to be fluid.
 
Further to the communication sent on 9th July, the GBNI Executive have confirmed that there will be no return to any face-to-face GB activities or meetings either indoors or outdoors until the week commencing 2ndNovember 2020.  This includes any small gatherings and awards/prize-giving services.  If you have started to make any plans to meet-up with your GB members in any face-to-face capacity, please arrange to cancel these activities immediately to comply with the GBNI guidance.
 
GB companies will not be expected to pay 100% of their Annual Assessment Fee.  The GBNI Finance Team are to work out the detail by the end of September and you will be informed of the adjustments once agreed.
 
The deadline to submit your Company Annual Returns via the online WebFiling will now be extended to the end of January 2021.  Please note: paper copies will not be issued this year. 
 
Annual Assessments will be issued by GBHQ at the end of February 2021 and to assist with the end of the financial year, all fees must be paid by the end of March 2021 in advance of badges being ordered.
 
If you have prepaid for the GBNI Scripture Course 2020/21 which is now on hold until September 2021 and would like a refund, please contact Margaret Megahey via  customerservice@gbni.co.uk or dial 028 9454 8054 (Press 1).  You will be able to re-order this course before the next session.
 
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary
 

Update 9th July 2020         

COVID-19 Statement                                     
 
Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland has been carefully monitoring the government’s response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) across Northern Ireland.  The Executive continued to meet over the past couple of months via Zoom to discuss the feasibility of returning to GB for the 2020/21 session and GBNI staff delivered our services from home.
With the increasing developments of Covid-19 it is important that we all in Girls’ Brigade NI take our duty of care to our GB members, volunteers and parents seriously.  It is important not to create a sense of fear or panic but to take sensible and reasonable precautions to keep everyone safe whilst at GB and any activities associated with GB.
Staff have now returned to HQ but we ask that all contact be made via telephone and email.  In the interest of safety, no personal visits to the office please.  The GBNI shop is open for collection of items purchased online with restrictions in place to observe one person only in the shop at any given time.  The wellbeing of staff and our membership is one of our top priorities.
The duration of lockdown means significant disruption to our calendar and to our 2020/21 programme but we believe it is the only sensible option in this unprecedented situation.  Accordingly, at this stage, GBNI Executive are recommending the following
Restart
  • Companies should not resume prior to week commencing 2nd November, but this will be kept under review through August/September
  • There will be NO Sporting activities or PE Competitions/Demo’s for 2020/21
  • A 70% attendance is required for awards i.e. normal 26 weeks reduced to 18 weeks.  Attendance normal 22 reduced to 15.
  • Sub-Officer Training will be held September – October using online platforms – closing date has been extended to 21st August
  • Child Protection Training will be held September – December using online platforms
  • Final Part 3 Officer Training will be held using online platforms
  • Orders for Scripture Course 2020/21 will be held in GB HQ for you for use 2021/22 and resources for use with your girls will be uploaded to the Leaders’ Section of the website
  • Junior File orders will be fulfilled and the closing date extended to 21st August
  • The ‘August Pack’ will become the ‘October Pack’, despatched from HQ 2nd October
  • There will be no DofE expeditions for 2020/21 and no Award Ceremony in 2020.  We hope to have a joint award in 2021
  • GEMS and Queen’s Award will continue using online platforms
  • Annual Returns will be extended to the beginning of January and will be online only
  • Staff will provide a range of resources that leaders can dip into as required
  • Executive and District representatives were given a 1 year extension to their tenure by way of Special Resolution in May 2020
  • Nominations will be sought for vacant GBNI Executive positions at the end of July
There is a range of other issues being considered by Executive and staff as we work our way back to the ‘new norm’.  Be assured we will continue to prioritise the wellbeing of our girls and staff.  Accordingly, GBNI do not expect District Executive to meet however, if you would prefer to meet please ensure you do so via Zoom.
The decision around how you manage a return within your Company must be led and agreed by your church leadership and should follow the advice from the NI Public Health Agency for Educational settings which highlight full instructions on how to prevent and contain the infection alongside instructions on what to do in an emergency. 
Please visit https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/ and download their up to date guidance for educational settings https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-03/Guidance%20for%20schools.
At this time, we urge you to put your faith in God and trust that He will lead us through these difficult times. 
 
“….but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
 weary, they will walk and not be faint”.
Isaiah 40:31
 
On behalf of the Executive Team and the National Secretary, we would ask you to continue to pray about the circumstances we find ourselves in and for the health and wellbeing of our community. 
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary


11th June 2020

Good Afternoon Captains

I had queries regarding attendance for 26 weeks given the session ended abruptly.  Having raised this with our President it was felt that no girl should be discriminated against in terms of attendance being cut short due to COVID and that if a girl was on track to receive their attendance, the captain should use their discretion. 

This was circulated to Brigade Council for agreement at the beginning of June and was approved.

Gail Clarke

Update 05/06/2020
We have had a number of calls this week into GBHQ asking for an update regarding the plans for GB recommencing for the next session.  Details will be sent directly to all Captains/Correspondents via email as soon as plans have been agreed and laid out by the GBNI Executive.  We hope to have this update with you just before the July holiday weekend.  

Update 25/03/2020

Dear GB Member,
It is with heartfelt sadness that I write to inform you that as of today I have made the decision to close GBNI Headquarters (GBHQ) for the foreseeable future.  The health and safety of our staff is of paramount importance and therefore I am implementing our home working policy for all staff.

Our staff team remains committed to ensuring the continued operation of the organisation we all hold dear; functioning as efficiently as possible during these uncertain times.  Some work plans and schedules have changed but our focus on preparing for the new GB session has not!

Staying connected with GBHQ

Telephone – If you need to call GBHQ, whether for the shop or for the office, please dial our usual number 028 9454 8054 and you will be re-directed to Laura Kelso, our Admin Officer, alternatively dial 07928 810 610.  If Laura cannot answer your query straight away, she will take a note of your message and contact number and will pass it on to the relevant member of staff to call you back.  Please expect their call to be marked as ‘No Caller ID’.  Our home working hours are 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Email – All staff are still contactable by email and you will find their direct email addresses here at https://gbni.co.uk/about/our-headquarters/staff-team.  Also our info@gbni.co.uk email address will also continue to be monitored.

Social Media – The power of technology and social media will be the best way for us all to support and encourage each other through these difficult days ahead.  We have some great ideas on how we can support our GB families whilst at home and the plans are well underway.  Our Programme Officer is busy working on our Resources4home toolkit and will have this on our GB website and on social media as soon as possible. This resource will be much like our usual Resources4U magazine but for parents to use at home with the girls.  It is vital that we, as an organisation, continue to support our GB families anyway we can and to bring the love of God and the truth of the Gospel into every home.  So please keep an eye out for this coming soon and share on your social media platforms and/or email/text the link to your GB Parents.

Website – Our GB website remains up and running and we will be doing some work in updating forms and resources during this time.  Our Online GBNI Shop will remain open for orders to be placed but no orders will be dispatched until it is safe for staff to return to the office following government instruction.  If possible, please pay for all online orders by debit/credit card.

Post – Our post is being re-directed via Royal Mail but can we encourage you not to post anything to GBHQ unless it is essential to do so.  Brigader Progress Books can no longer be processed at this time, so please refrain from posting these to GBHQ.  Please do not hand deliver items into our post box at headquarters as the premises may be vacant for long spells of time.
 
Prayer- If you, a member of your family or another GB member require prayer for whatever reason, please send through a prayer request via the ‘contact us’ page on the GBNI Website or email Lesley via spiritual@gbni.co.uk.  In the interest of GDPR, please ensure you to have permission to share personal details beforehand.

Making a payment - If you need to send in a payment, please use the following methods:
Via our BACS Payment facility which the Account Holder can arrange to be set-up with their bank via telephone or online banking.

Our BACS Transfer details are as follows:

Sort Code:                     98-01-80
Account No.:                 10351695
Account Name:             The Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland
Reference:                    ‘state what it is for’ and your company number*
*It is very important that you have your company number included as this will make administrating your payment easier.

For shop orders, please either pay online directly or email customerservice@gbni.co.uk noting your order number and a contact number and Margaret Megahey will be in contact to take payment over the phone.
To pay for courses, events, training applications etc., please either pay online directly (if available) or email corporateservices@gbni.co.uk noting your booking details and a contact number and Debra Gribbon will be in contact to take payment over the phone.

GBNI Scripture Course - You will be able to order your Scripture Course from 1st April online at the GBNI Online Shop, please remember not to add additional items unrelated to the Scripture Course to this order.  Please order these additional items separately.  If you cannot avail of the online service, you can complete the Scripture Course Order Form from the Leaders’ Section which will be available to download but please, if possible, scan and email the form to customerservice@gbni.co.uk and Margaret Megahey will be in contact to take payment over the phone.

Leadership Training Applications - If possible, please scan and email applications to admin@gbni.co.uk.  Please refer to payment methods above.

In closing, on behalf of all the staff team at GBHQ, I would like to send our love and prayers to each and every one of you.  During this time of isolation, please consider looking over ‘The Psalms’ scripture that we have studied over the past year; reflect and find comfort in the words of hope and reassurance that comes from this beautiful piece of scripture.  Hold fast to the promises that God gives us every day that He is with us and that He will not forsake us.  Remember to encourage and support each other, connect regularly with your leaders and GB families; share scripture, ask for prayer requests, be a community and ensure no one is alone.   Let’s be vessels for God and shine light into the world in these darkest of days.  We may not be able to do GB in our churches but nothing can stop us from seeking, serving and following Christ from the safety of our homes.
May God be with you all.
 
Gail Clarke
GBNI National Secretary



Update 17/03/2020

COVID-19 Statement
 
Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland has been carefully monitoring the situation regarding the outbreak of the Coronavirus across Northern Ireland.  Following new Government advice that everyone should stop non-essential contact with others and stop all unnecessary travel; it has been decided that all GBNI weekly meetings/activities, events and trips should be immediately suspended.  This is a regrettable decision and it has been made with a heavy heart but the safety and well-being of our members, their families and the wider community is paramount.

We appreciate the disappointment this will cause for our members, particularly at this time of year when displays, camps and outings are planned but we would ask you to postpone any events planned until the current health situation improves.

This suspension of activities will also include all GBNI team meetings, district meetings and general meetings.  We appreciate this will cause significant disruption to our calendar and potentially to our 2020-21 programme but we believe it is the only sensible option in this unprecedented situation.

As more information becomes available, we will liaise with our membership to ensure you are kept informed.  As you are aware, the situation is extremely fluid at present so at this stage it is impossible to plan ahead.
At this time, we urge you to put your faith in God and trust that He will lead us through these difficult times. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

At present, Headquarters remains open but this situation will be monitored according to the evolving health situation.  We would request that all contact with Headquarters is only by telephone or email. The well-being of the staff team is one of our top priorities.  The shop will be closed to drop-in customers but at present will continue to operate online. Again, we will keep our membership informed as the situation develops.

On behalf of the Executive Team and the National Secretary, we would ask you to continue to pray about the circumstances we find ourselves in and for the health and well-being of our community. 

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalms 107:19-21
 
Alison Stevenson                                                 Deborah McMahon
President GBNI                                                    Chairperson GBNI


Update 13/03/2020

Update information from the Department of Helath https://www.healthni.gov.uk/coronavirus.  We are facing  a
rapidly changing situation. It is therefore highly likely this guidance will be revised again in the very near future.

11/03/2020

With the increasing developments of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) it is important that we all in Girls’ Brigade NI take our duty of care to our GB members, volunteers and parents seriously.  It is important to not create a sense of fear or panic but take sensible and reasonable precautions to keep everyone safe whilst at GB and any activities associated with GB.

The decision around how you manage this outbreak within your company must be led and agreed by your church leadership and should follow the advice from the NI Public Health Agency for Educational settings which highlight full instructions on how to prevent and contain the infection alongside instructions on what to do in an emergency. 

Please visit https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/ and download their up to date guidance for educational settings https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-03/Guidance%20for%20schools_0.pdf.  Please read the document in full.  Within the document please refer to the term ‘School’ as your GB company and the term ‘pupils, students, staff and visitors’ as GB members, volunteers and parents.  Please check this website regularly for the latest advice before making any decisions regarding your GB company and the Coronavirus.

The Public Health Agency also has a number of posters that you may find useful to display on entrance doors and around your halls to promote good hygiene whilst at GB.  You can find them via this link https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/advice-covid-19-coronavirus.

Key points to consider whilst in GB:

 

  • When communicating information to parents regarding hygiene procedures etc. please be calm and use clear wording that the measures your GB company may take is as a precaution.

  • GB members including leaders/helpers should be advised not to attend if they are displaying cold/flu symptoms.  Please bear in mind adult:child ratios required under Safeguarding should leaders become unwell.

  • Carry out regular cleaning/hygiene checks throughout the company night, using antibacterial cleaning products, such as wipes or sprays and disposable cloths.  Regularly throughout the night clean all door handles, bathroom cubicle doors, taps, benches/seating, work surfaces, tables, kitchen units, bins and staircase hand-rails.

  • All sports equipment and craft equipment should be cleaned before and after use.

  • Provide tissues and bin with a disposable bag for each room.

  • If possible, provide hand sanitizer for your main entrance to be used by anyone entering the building.

  • All GB members should wash their hands regularly throughout the night with soap and water especially after using the bathroom and before and after preparing food.

  • Please limit the use of kitchen areas with the girls.

  • Chat to your girls about the importance of personal hygiene but provide reassurance and give support if they feel worried and have questions about what they have heard about the virus.

  • Review and revise your Company Night Risk Assessment and ensure procedures are put in place.

  • Communicate with your GB leadership team regarding your prevention led out by your church and ensure that all leaders comply fully.

Running a display/parents evening          
Take your church leadership’s advice on continuing with this event.

Camps/trips
Take account of the local environment and if travelling abroad, take advice from your travel agency/tour operator.

Competitions/District Events such as AGM/Services
Take account of the local environment and discuss at District Executive level whether to continue or postpone these activities.


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