Empower Residential Weekend

Are you a member of Girlguiding South West England aged 14–30? Ready to turn your passion into action? Join us for Empower 2026 at PGL Barton Hall on Saturday 31 October – Sunday 1 November 2026 and take the first step.

Open to members of Girlguiding South West England aged 14-30.

Empower is all about building your confidence, developing practical skills, and finding powerful ways to speak up on the issues that matter to you. You’ll connect with like-minded members from across the region, expand your network, and be inspired by girls and young women who are already making a difference. 

Throughout the weekend, you’ll take part in engaging activities designed to spark ideas, challenge your thinking, and support you to grow. You’ll leave feeling energised, supported, and ready to create positive change in your community and beyond.

A key focus of Empower 2026 is helping you find your voice, and use it with purpose. You’ll explore what matters most to you, build the confidence to speak out, and learn how to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. Whether you want to make an impact within Girlguiding, in your local area, or on a wider stage, you’ll gain the tools to turn your ideas into action. By the end of the event, you won’t just feel heard, you’ll feel ready to make a real difference.

We are so excited to be running Empower again and can't wait to see you there.

During the weekend, all members will do either of the below sessions dependant on their age.

Period proud peers 14-17 year olds 

The period proud peers programme aims to help young people learn more about periods and have open and honest conversations about them. This programme was created by Plan International UK and has been developed in collaboration with Girlguiding UK.

Money management 18+ 

Explore practical money management skills for everyday life. This session will help members aged 18 and over build confidence with budgeting, saving, spending wisely, and making informed financial decisions in real-life situations.

Workshops available

In addition to the above, the following workshops will be run during the weekend. Upon booking you will be asked to list these in order of preference.

Safe streets 

Learn practical tips and strategies to help you stay safe when out and about. This session will cover personal safety awareness, building confidence in different environments, and knowing what to do in challenging situations.

Speaking up for what you believe in 

Discover how to use your voice with confidence and purpose. In this session, you’ll explore different ways to advocate for causes you care about and develop valuable communication and leadership skills to make a positive impact.

Managing your digital footprint 

Understand how your online presence can shape your future. This session will share useful tips and skills for staying safe online, protecting your privacy, and creating a positive digital footprint.

Wider opportunities in guiding

Find out about the exciting opportunities available through Girlguiding UK and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Explore ways to get involved, develop new skills, travel, volunteer, and connect with Girlguiding communities around the world.

Adventurous activities 

Also included in the cost of the weekend is an adventurous activity run by PGL. Upon booking you will be asked to list these in order of preference.

 

Further information

• The £35 fee includes accommodation and all meals and refreshments from breakfast on Saturday to lunch on Sunday.
• Accommodation will be in shared rooms with bunk beds. 
• You’ll be able to request room shares when booking - we’ll do our best to accommodate these. 
• Please note that travel expenses are not covered.

 

Accessibility Information

• This is a nut-free and fragrance-free event.
• Meals and refreshments are provided, with all dietary requirements catered for. You may bring your own food if preferred.
• Accessible equipment (e.g. straws, two-handled mugs) will be available.
• Carers are welcome - please let us know when booking.
• You’ll have the option to share your pronouns during booking.
• Financial support may be available - check with your unit, district, division, or county/island.
• If you’d prefer to attend as a Saturday day guest, please contact the region office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

 

Transport Information

By car: PGL Barton Hall, Kingskerswell Rd, Torquay TQ2 8JY

Disabled parking available. 

By rail: The closest railway stations are Torquay and Newton Abbot

By plane: The closest airports are Exeter and Bristol.