As many of you will know now, today the Government has announced everyone should stop any non-essential social contact – and we have taken the decision that this includes GB groups.
As much as we love GB and investing in children and young people, we need to take the situation seriously and, as a non-essential service, minimise infection risk to children, leaders, their families and the wider communities where we work.
To reiterate, this means with immediate effect that ALL GB groups will temporarily close and all group/district/region events/meetings/training days/parents’ nights/holidays/Residential Events/outings etc. should be cancelled until further notice.
We know this is disappointing for everyone but consider it a postponement until the situation improves.
In terms of insurance, group’s Residential Event insurance is public liability insurance which covers leaders and GB members while away and unfortunately doesn’t cover cancellations or act in the same way as travel insurance. We’re sorry that some groups may be out of pocket for events they have planned but we have to follow the government’s precautions.
If you’re a GB community group leader, please ensure that you communicate this temporary closure to parents and guardians immediately and look for means to keep in touch with your GB family during this time e.g. through Facebook groups etc. to ensure our girls and their families continue to feel cared for by GB during this unsettling time.
Our colleagues in GB Scotland, GB Ireland, and Boys’ Brigade UK are also acting on the same basis.
We will keep you informed as the situation develops. However, if you need to contact GB’s Support Centre in the meantime wherever possible please email us, as you would normally.
We’ll be asking the team to work from home where possible; the Support Centre will therefore be ‘open’ but our building will not be.
As Christians we have to choose faith not fear and so we leave you with this comforting blessing by author Malcolm Duncan… ‘May you be given the gift of simple faith. When the world around you is full of uncertainty, may God remind you that you are not alone and you do not need to be dominated by fear. May you find peace amidst chaos from God’s promises. Hold onto the God Who holds you.’