The Queen's Award is the highest Award in Girls' Brigade, a culmination of at least two years' study and application, and a true acheivement. However you're not alone, girls all over the world are working for, and have gained, their Queen's Award. (In countries that do not have the Queen as their figurehead it is called the International Award.)

The Aim of the Award is the same throughout the world: To encourage girls and young women to a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, while respecting other faiths, inspiring them to greater endeavour in service within the general community and to make a contribution to the worldwide concept of The Girls' Brigade.

The Queen's Award is designed to be a challenging programme and is gained through active participation in a programme of seven modules, that you must complete over at least a two year period. The modules can be completed in any order and more than one module can be worked on at any one time. However don't worry help and guidance are always at hand, in person, by phone, and by e-mail.

Your Company Captain and Divisional Commissioner have a full set of the Queen's Award Guidelines, ask to see the Guidelines to find out the details of each module.

Although you don’t have to be ‘Supergirl’ to achieve the Queen’s Award, there are of course, quite a few things to consider before deciding to go ahead:

• Make sure you have the time and commitment to complete every part of the course before embarking on it.
• Self motivation is important, especially when you are working on the project.
• This Award is not necessarily for academic girls but is for the person who has ‘stickability’.
• Remember, this may be the first Queen’s Award in your Company. If that’s the case, it is also a first for your Captain. Keep her up to date with your progress.
• Christian and G.B. commitment are also vital.
• If you are away at ‘Uni’ during the two years you are working towards the Award, you must link up with a Company where you can continue your Company Service.

• AGE: You cannot complete your Queen's Award before your 17th birthday or after your 25th birthday.
• COMPANY SERVICE: You must give useful service to your Company throughout the time that you are working towards your Queen’s Award.
• CHRISTIAN GROWTH: You are strongly encouraged to regularly attend Sunday Worship, but if this is not a feasible option, a regular commitment to a Nationally agreed alternative group which will promote Christian Growth may also be acceptable.
• ATTENDANCE AWARDS: You must have achieved a Service Award for both Company and Church attendances for the session prior to registering for the Queen's Award and also achieve similar Service Awards throughout your participation in the Queen's Award.
• BRIGADER BROOCH: You must gain your Brigader Brooch by the date you complete your Queen's Award.

  If you're unsure if you're on track for all the requirements listed above ask your GB Leader or Captain to advise you.

 The Queen's Award Registration Form is available through the link below and it is your Captain's responsibility to ensure that the form is completed and returned to the Award Administrator at National Headquarters along with the registration fee of £10. You can register for the Queen's Award at any time.

The Queen's Award Registration Form

When your registration form and fee have been received by the 'Leadership & Award Officer', Hazel McCallum, you will receive a letter of acceptance along with your Queen's Award Pack containing all the forms you require and your Queen's Award Record Book. (Additional Forms, should you require them, can be downloaded from the links below.) You can then begin work on the QA Award, (bearing in mind that some modules require approval from GB HQ prior to commencement - see QA Guidelines for full details).

The QA General Study Paper Registration Form

The next General Study Paper exam date is Saturday 06 March 2010, venue and time tbc

Sample for information only - QA General Study Notes

The QA National Residential Weekend Registration Form

('The QA National Residential Weekend Registration Form' must be received in GB HQ 2 months prior to the actual weekend; see current info for upcoming Residential Weekend dates)

The QA Voluntary Service Approval Form

(Written approval must be obtained from the 'Leadership & Award Officer' before commencing your Voluntary Service)

The QA Project Title Approval Form

(Written approval must be obtained from the 'Leadership & Award Officer' before commencing your Project)

The QA Project - Declaration Form

(This form should be completed by you as the Candidate and your Captain when your project is complete, it is then sent along with your project to GB HQ)

 

A: Not at the same time as it's counting towards your D of E Award, however if you have completed your volunteering for the D of E Award and wish to continue with the same service for your Queen's Award that would be acceptable on approval from GB HQ.

N.B. You must have the Voluntary Service you intend to carry out for your Queen's Award approved by GB HQ prior to you starting it.

A: Yes, but it must be a seperate, original piece of work for the Queen's Award, not something which will be used as part of coursework or assessments for your school / university work, and can only be used subject to approval from GB HQ.

N.B. You must have your Queen's Award assignment topic and brief approved by GB HQ prior to you starting it.

A: GB HQ MUST be advised.

Don't worry, just link up with a Girls' Brigade Company near your work / university and continue with your Award. GB HQ can help you find a Company near your new residence.

If there are no GB Companies near your new residence don't panic, you can maintain links with your previous Company, and complete your ...

• General Study Paper
• Project
• Initiative Tasks
• National Residential

... modules as you would have done previously.

• Girls' Brigade Service - this can be completed with another Christian Youth Organisation, however this must be approved by GB HQ prior to you starting it.
• Christian Growth - this can be re-evaluated with your Mentor if attendance at regular Sunday Worship is no longer a viable option at your new residence, however again this must gain approval before commencement.
• Voluntary Service - Any Voluntary Service you have already carried out may be taken into account and you may be able to complete your Voluntary Service with another form of service near your new residence, however any prior service given must be evaluated and any proposed new service must be approved by GB HQ prior to you starting it.

A: You can take your time with your Queen's Award, within the constraints of the age limits: you must complete your Award by your 25th birthday, so if you need to reduce the amount of work you're doing at any one time to accomodate pressures of a new job or studies, that's fine but your Captain, Mentor and GB HQ must be advised and updated regularily on your progress and any changes that affect it. Remember the Girls' Brigade Service and Christian Growth modules should be ongoing throughout your Award so don't stop completely.

In the case of serious obstacles to your continuing with these aspects of your Award GB HQ must be advised to help find a solution to your individual case.