Activity Guide for Brownie Leaders

Registered Charity No. 1014851

Hello! Help The Hospices, the national charity for the hospice movement are delighted to be working with Girlguiding UK on the Changing the World project to celebrate life and all those that we love. Every day, in communities right around the country, hospices are taking care of men, women and children as they face the end of their lives, and supporting their loved ones. By building a relationship with your local hospice, you can help change the world. We would like to share the values of the hospice movement with you in three ways: Hospices help people to live life to the full, whatever time they have left. The activities in this section are aimed at celebrating life, and making the most of every day. Hospices provide love and care for all patients, their families and their friends. Use the activities in this section to show people who are special to us how much we value them. Hospices are there to support and help family and friends when the person being cared for by the hospice dies. This section encourages us to share feelings and help people who have lost loved ones. You can use this pack as you choose your Girlguiding UK: Changing the World project which should take a minimum of four sessions. All the activities included in the packs are aimed at exploring these themes, and can be used or adapted as you feel is best for your group. As well as the packs, though, we’d also like to encourage you to contact your local hospice, and to work with them to find projects that will make a real difference to them, and to the people they care for. We’ve included a sample letter template that you might like to send to your local hospice, and if you need any further help, just send an email to us – [email protected] Thank you for supporting hospices – and have a wonderful year!

Maxine Maxine Blunden, Director of Fundraising, Help the Hospices www.helpthehospices.org.uk

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HOW HOSPICES HELP US TO LIVE, LOVE AND LET GO Help the Hospices is the national charity supporting hospices in the UK. We believe that everyone should have the best possible care at the end of their life. We aim to help hospices all around the country to provide this care by talking to the government and the public about how they can help. There are over 200 hospices around the UK, all caring for thousands of terminally ill people and supporting their families and friends. These hospices rely on people like you and your friends to help them raise the money so that they can provide their care free of charge to whoever needs it. Without the help and generosity of people like you, they would find it very difficult to keep caring for people in the special way they do.

FINDING YOUR LOCAL HOSPICE

HELPING YOUR LOCAL HOSPICE

The aim of this project is to get local Girlguiding UK groups linked to their local hospice and take action by: • Raising awareness • Raising funds

You could prepare for this talk by thinking of ways in which you can offer to help the hospice.

There are loads of things you could do to help your hospice. Firstly you can find out where your nearest hospice is. With so many hospices around the country there will definitely be one which cares for people in your neighbourhood. You can find your nearest hospice by visiting: www.hospiceinformation.info or calling: 020 7520 8200 Once you have found out where your nearest hospice is, you or a representative of your guiding group could ring them and ask to speak to the fundraising department about how you might be able to help or you can write to them (please see page four for a template letter). If you speak to a member of the fundraising department and explain where you are calling from, someone from the hospice may be able to come and talk about the hospice and the work that they do in your area. They would also be very happy to hear that you would like to help them.

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• Perhaps you could organise a cake sale and donate the profits to the hospice. • You could offer to decorate your carnival float in the colours of the hospice and give it a theme of enjoying life. • You could offer to plant some flowers in the hospice garden. • You could write a poem about how hospices care for people. • You could help to collect old clothes, books and bric-a-brac which can be sold in the hospice shop. • You could offer to give out leaflets about the hospice or help to sell raffle tickets. • You could make a collage of all your favourite things to decorate the hospice. • Perhaps you could pack bags at your nearest supermarket in return for donations for the hospice. When you meet someone from your hospice, they will be able to tell you whether your ideas would help them and they might be able to suggest some other ways in which you can Change the World.

WHAT IF OUR HOSPICE CAN’T SEND SOMEONE TO SEE US?

WHAT THE HOSPICE CAN DO WITH YOUR HELP:

GIRLGUIDING UK: CHANGING THE WORLD

There may be some hospices that are so busy caring for their patients and families, that they might not be able to offer you lots of time and support. Although it may not seem like it, they are often the ones who need your help the most.

Each hospice needs different things, so any money you raise or time you can give will make a big difference to families in your area.

By working with your local hospice, you will help the hospice movement enormously – by learning about what hospice care is really all about and so being able to pass on your knowledge and spread the word. Some people don’t understand the term ‘hospice’ and you can help change that starting with your family and friends. Hospices need all the support they can get from their local community. If every Girlguiding UK unit learned about ‘hospice’ and gave some time, raised some funds and acted as hospice ambassadors – the impact will be felt across every community in the country – imagine that! That could help us make sure more people receive more care when they need it.

Don’t worry if your hospice cannot send someone to talk to your group, you can still do all the activities in the resource pack. If you do want to help your hospice but can’t get through to the right person, you could email [email protected]

or call 020 7520 8200 and we will try and help. This project is really important and will make a huge difference to your community. Please don’t forget to fill in the form to evaluate the project online at www.girlguiding.org.uk/changethe world/tellus You can do this on behalf of a group or as an individual. When this form has been completed you will be issued with a unique order form which you can use to claim your badge.

• If you raised £15 you could pay for one hour of expert nursing care. • If you raised £120, you could pay for someone to have a visit from a nurse at home instead of having to go into the hospice. • If you raised £250, you could pay for the hospice to train a volunteer to support someone whose family member has died in the care of the hospice. • If you are able to plant some flowers in the hospice garden, you would be helping by giving patients and their families a lovely place to walk and chat. • If you painted a picture or wrote a poem, you could help to brighten up the hospice rooms, cheering up patients and making everyone feel welcome. • If you were able to decorate your carnival float in the colours of the hospice, you would be helping by telling everyone about the important work that your hospice does. • By learning more about how hospices help people live, love and let go you can help others understand the important work that they do.

We are thrilled that you have chosen to support hospices and hope you have fun with all your guiding activities. Thank you

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Template letter to your local hospice Below is a letter you might like to copy and adapt when contacting your local hospice. If you don’t know your local hospice, visit www.hospiceinformation.info, where all UK hospices are listed. If you have problems finding a hospice near you, then email us on [email protected] It’s worth calling the hospice in advance to ask for the name of the person you should be contacting. It means that your letter is more likely to reach its destination! In most hospices, the best person to ask for is the name of the Fundraising Manager or the Marketing Manager. They may have an email address – or you could write a letter like this: Name of Fundraising Manager Name of Hospice Address of Hospice

Your group contact address Date Dear (Name of Fundraising Manager) I am writing to you from (Name of your group) on behalf of us all. We are taking part in the Girlguiding UK: Changing the World project and would like to know more about (name of local hospice) and how we could make a difference to the work you do. Would you consider coming to visit our group meeting, which takes place on (day of the week) at (times) at (location)? We would like to hear more about the work of the hospice, and what we can do to help. The best way to get in contact with us is to (insert how you want the hospice to return your enquiry. By post? By email? By phone? Don’t forget to give the address, email or phone number!) We look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely,

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How hospices have helped us! Hospices across the UK offer care and support for girls of all ages. Below are examples of how three hospices have helped to make a difference.

This is what Lakhvinder Kaur ( Laki) has to say about Richard House Children’s Hospice in East London: "I have been going to Richard House as long as I can remember... Richard House has looked after me even though I had some rough times.… I love Richard House Children’s Hospice, they are so Koooooooooooool!"

Shakira Whiting, age 9, was helped by Farleigh Hospice, Chelmsford when her mother, Theresa, died last year. Theresa had been ill for just four months and was cared for by Farleigh Hospice throughout her illness. Before and after Theresa’s death Shakira went to see the hospice’s children’s bereavement worker Sandra O’Bryne. Shakira is quite clear as to how the Farleigh Hospice and Sandra helped – and continues to help her: “You get loads and loads of love” she says simply, adding, “and when I feel down I go and see her again.”

Hannah and Emily felt really supported by St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester before and after their Mum passed away, and say: “St Richard's were extremely helpful when our Mum died in helping us through the bereavement process."

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live

INTRODUCTION

This first part of the project is aimed at encouraging the Brownies to celebrate life, recognise the good things, and make the most of every day. In addition, activities explore positive feelings and the everyday nature of change. The first two activities are relatively similar and both focussed on growth, to encourage the Brownies to think about the cycle of life and about caring – as well as being fun!

YOU WILL NEED: • a twenty centimetres in diameter new terracotta pot for each Brownie • plant pot saucers • a bag of good quality potting compost • basil seeds • rosemary seeds • thyme seeds • plant markers • pencils.

Herbs have been used in medicines for thousands of years and are still used today. Herbs can heal, relax and nourish people.

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seed

Then, ask them to cover the seeds with a light dusting of compost – a bit like a sheet over the bed. Talk to the Brownies about what they think they will need to do to ensure the seeds grow. They will need: WARMTH WATER

Let the girls know that today we are going to plant these seeds and watch them grow over the coming weeks and months. In time, they will be able to use the leaves of all of the herbs for cooking at home – and more leaves will grow in their place, bigger and stronger.

Give the pots some water and put them in a light, warm place. A kitchen windowsill that catches the sun is perfect.

ACTIVITY

b ds see

The Brownies should be given three plant markers and a pencil. Ask them to write the name of the seeds on each one, and on the reverse, write their meaning. Push them into the appropriate place in the plant pot.

Basil represents best wishes and love. Thyme represents strength and courage. Rosemary represents remembering those who may be far away or no longer alive.

thyme ary rosem

thyme ary rosem

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Start the activity by asking the girls if they know the name of any herbs that their mums or dads use to cook with. Do they know what else herbs can be used for, as well as cooking?

What is also interesting is that many plants, including herbs, have been given special meanings. The Victorians were especially keen on doing this. The herbs we are going to plant today all have special meanings that relate to the overall activity themes.

1 herbs with meaning

e thym s d e se

This is an activity best suited to spring.

Ask the Brownies to fill their pots with compost up to about two centimetres or so from the top. Then, ask them to carefully place two or three of each type of seed into different positions in the pot.

Cover work surfaces with old newspaper, and ensure the Brownies are wearing appropriate clothing.

SUNSHINE FOOD (when they are older).

The seeds should take seven to ten days to germinate and start to grow, but at this stage they still need plenty of care. Remind the girls that the pot will need to be kept moist (not flooded with water) for the seeds to grow strong enough to use. They will need to be about 10cm tall with plenty of leaves before they can be used. Avoid cutting the whole stems from the plant – just use the leaves.

2 a tree for all seasons YOU WILL NEED: • four large pieces of plain paper – the bigger the better • a black marker pen (not water soluble) • green, red, yellow and brown paint/crayons • pink tissue paper • cotton wool • some old corks • paper plates for the different colour paints • glue • an apple and seeds from an apple.

ACTIVITY In advance, you will need to use a black marker pen to draw four identical tree trunks onto a large sheet of paper, and to label them winter, spring, summer, autumn. Invite the Brownies to think about and share what they know about the human life cycle, eg: BIRTH INFANCY BECOMING AN ADULT PREGNANCY OLD AGE explain that trees have their own life cycles. Ask what the Brownies think the first stage of an apple tree’s life cycle is. You may wish to show a handful of apple seeds and explain that from these pips, great trees grow.

GLUE

INTRODUCTION This is a good alternative activity if your Brownies are unable to participate in the planting ideas outlined in this pack. It also encourages the Brownies to collaborate and discuss how seasons and life cycles work.

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Then ask if they know what the next stages in an apple tree’s life are. Once the tree has grown, it starts to grow apples, which in turn have seeds. When the apples fall to the ground and decompose, the seeds fall out of the apples and can be buried in the ground below. Sooner or later, they themselves may grow into apple trees, and the cycle begins again. Ask the Brownies to divide into four groups, to go with the four themes of the seasons – winter, spring, summer and autumn – and give each group a tree trunk sheet. Ask them to think about how their tree might change in that particular season.

The Brownies should then use the decorating materials given to them to decorate their tree to represent each part of its life cycle. For example: WINTER – use the marker and brown paints or crayons to draw the bare branches of the tree, from the trunk. Glue on cotton wool as snow. SPRING – dip index fingers in bright green paint to create small leaf buds coming off the branches. When the paint dries, use glue to stick pinched pieces of pink tissue paper to create blossom. SUMMER – dip whole hands in green paint, to form the broad leaves of summer. Use the end of a cork, dipped in red and/or green paint, to show the apples. AUTUMN – dip hands in a mixture of yellow, brown and red paint to show the changing colours of autumn leaves. Finally, ask each group to introduce and explain their tree to the other three groups.

3 a crocus-tastic spring There are three parts to this – pick any or all of them as part of the activity. The activity starts in autumn with pot painting and bulb planting. The bulbs are cared for by the Brownies until they bloom in Spring.

a going potty crocus pot painting YOU WILL NEED: • a twenty centimetres in diameter new terracotta pot for each Brownie (or more than one, if you wish) • white child friendly paint • coloured paints (try to use water-based paint – easy to clear up, and it dries quickly.) • thin paintbrushes • newspaper to paint on, and protective clothes – remember, careful supervision is needed when handling paint • you may need to plan this activity over two sessions.

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INTRODUCTION This is an activity that can be spread over two weeks. ACTIVITY Cover work surfaces with old newspaper, and ensure the Brownies are wearing appropriate clothing. Each Brownie is given one or more pots, which should be already painted with a base coat of white emulsion. They do not need to paint the base, and only need to paint inside down to the bottom of the rim. You may have the time to do two coats of white, should you wish. After painting, all brushes should be washed in water and allowed to dry. Mark each pot with the appropriate initials inside. Either while the pots are drying, or in time for the next meeting, ask the Brownies to think about how they might like to decorate their pot. They may even like to practice the designs. Some ideas might be: stripes, spots, sunflowers, their name, ladybirds, bees, a face, swirls, stars, or Brownies linking hands around the pot. Once they have decided how they are going to decorate the pot, they can paint it on with the brush. It is worth reminding them to use one colour at a time and to let each one dry in between colours, or they may run.

a crocus-tastic spring b bulbs ahoy time to get planting YOU WILL NEED: • the painted pots • plant pot saucers • a bag of good compost • five crocus bulbs (or any other seasonal bulb if you prefer) per Brownie (see note).

NOTE ON BULBS

INTRODUCTION

Certain varieties of crocuses flower in autumn and very early spring. Look for late spring- flowering crocuses; the Crocus vernus comes in various shades.

Crocus bulbs can be planted anytime indoors between September and November, and the late spring flowering versions should burst into life between March and April. Perfect for Mothering Sunday or Easter.

For example: • Crocus vernus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ is pure white • Crocus vernus ‘Pickwick’ is white with deep and pale lilac stripes • Crocus vernus ‘Grand Maitre’ is dark blue. You may wish to offer the Brownies a choice, or ask them to vote on one particular colour for the whole Pack to grow. Note: Crocus bulbs cost around £10-£15 per 100. You may wish to look at www.thompson-morgan.com, www.bulbs.co.uk or your local garden centre to source them.

po m o c

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ACTIVITY Ask the Brownies to fill their pots with compost and then to plant the bulbs so that the tips slightly stick out of the soil. Water them well. The pot should be kept in a dark, draught-free place and watered regularly so that the soil is kept damp. You may have a cupboard that you can use in your meeting space. Alternatively, the girls may want to take their bulbs home. When the bulbs start to sprout, the pots should be moved into a cool, bright spot. Again, water regularly so that the soil remains moist. The bulbs should begin to flower March-April.

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a crocus-tastic spring c a crocustastic gift

INTRODUCTION Mother’s Day and Easter coincide with the flowering period of your crocuses, although they are not prerequisites for this activity. This is an opportunity for the Brownies to say thank you to someone special by giving them the plant that they have so carefully nurtured. ACTIVITY

YOU WILL NEED: • the crocus plants in their pots a length of thick, brightly coloured ribbon for each Brownie, that can be tied in a bow around the pot • print-outs of the Crocus gift tags from this download pack • coloured pens/pencils • a hole punch • some string or finer ribbon to tie the gift tags to the larger ribbon.

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Tell the Brownies that the crocus for the Victorians had special meaning. It represented cheerfulness and happiness. Ask the Brownies to think about someone special who has made them happy recently. Perhaps it is someone who helped cheer them up when something difficult or challenging happened. This might be mum or dad – or perhaps a teacher, sports coach, grandparent, sibling or friend. Ask each Brownie to share the name of that person and the reason.

Now give them each a gift tag, and ask them to decorate it with that person in mind. They may wish to draw pictures or a design that reminds them of the person. They should also write a short message on the tag. Give the tag a hole punch where it is indicated, to allow it to be tied to the ribbon. Finally, show them how to tie a bow around the pot with the ribbon, and ask them to do the same. Affix the tag to the ribbon, and the pots are ready to be given as a gift.

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4 times i have felt... YOU WILL NEED: • a packet of digestive biscuits • icing sugar • water • sweets.

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sweetie

sweeties

5 thank you collage YOU WILL NEED: • magazines for cutting up • paper • colouring pens • glue • scissors.

6 brownie bunting YOU WILL NEED: • triangles of coloured paper • colouring pens • string.

INTRODUCTION

ACTIVITY

When things happen to us, we feel different things, and sometimes those things can be confusing. Ask the Brownies to think of a time that they were really happy. What were they doing at that time? Was it a special occasion? Now ask them to think of some other emotions and, again, times when they felt them.

Give each of the girls three biscuits, some icing and a selection of sweets. In their Sixes they are going to make three different faces: a face that describes how they feel today; a face that shows them when they are sad; and a face that they can decide for themselves.

Point out that some things, like getting presents on our birthday, can make us really happy. Other things, like the loss of a pet or the death of a grandparent, can make us really sad.

To finish, ask each Brownie to show their biscuit faces and talk to their Six about the feelings that are represented and what it was that made them feel that way.

INTRODUCTION

ACTIVITY

We all have so many things to be thankful for, and sometimes when difficult things happen to us, we forget the good and concentrate on the bad. This activity is aimed at helping the Brownies recognise these good things and keep them in mind.

Each girl writes ‘thank you’ in large letters on her paper. She then draws or sticks on pictures of things she is thankful for, such as family, friends, pets, flowers, food, etc. At the end, come together to share some of the pictures.

INTRODUCTION

today, such as getting a good mark at school, or playing with friends at lunchtime. Each Brownie should write or draw a picture of whatever they choose on one side of the flag. Now, turn the flag over and ask them to write or draw something they could do tomorrow to make someone feel good. When you have finished, attach the flags to a piece of string and hang them around the room.

These colourful strings of flags show the good things in our lives and how we can make life better for other people. ACTIVITY Give each girl a large triangle of coloured paper. Ask them to think of something good that happened

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They can use the biscuits as the face and choose sweets for the eyes, nose, mouth, hair, tears, etc, which they stick on with little blobs of icing.

love

INTRODUCTION

This second part of the project explores how we can show people that we care for them.

This activity is aimed at helping the Brownies to understand and express the value of friends and friendship.

i love my friend because...

ACTIVITY

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YOU WILL NEED: • card folded into greeting cards • magazines for cutting up • paper • colouring pens • glue • scissors.

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go yellow to help hospices Every year, many hospices nominate the month of June as their ‘Go Yellow’ month. Why not see what they are up to and whether you and your Pack can join in? It is a great opportunity to brainstorm ideas with the Brownies on how they might like to ‘Go Yellow’ to help hospices. To raise money for your local hospice, why not consider a ‘Go Yellow’ evening or meeting? Have a discussion about the colour yellow and what you could do.

Ask each girl to name their best friends and say why they like them so much. Then, help them to produce cards for these friends. Write the friend’s name on the front. Each card should reflect the friendship. For example, if a Brownie and her friend both like animals, she could decorate her card with pictures of animals.

Or if they like to play or watch a sport together, she might draw them ‘in action’ or cut out a picture of a favourite player from a magazine. Ask each Brownie to add a message of friendship inside the card and sign it, before delivering or posting them.

SOME IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED ARE: • challenging friends and family to dress in yellow for the day, and collect donations for your local hospice • making and selling yellow – lemon cakes or custard tarts • selling yellow sunflower pin badges – your local hospice may have a supply of these or something similar • organising a ‘Go yellow’ sponsored walk, dressed in yellow • holding a sponsored rubber duck race with half the proceeds being donated to the hospice and half for the winner. Activities are limited only by your imagination!

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INTRODUCTION

YOU WILL NEED: • pens • paper • a CD or MP3 player.

Music has a tremendous power to influence our mood and express things that we find difficult to express with just words. It is also very closely linked with memory.

Begin by playing two very different types of music to the Brownies. You could choose some heavy metal and an excerpt from Mozart, for example. Play the pieces one at a time and ask the girls to be aware of how the music affects their feelings. After each piece, ask them to tell you ways in which that piece of music affected them.

In their Sixes, ask each girl to share the story of why that song is so special (it may be special for happy or difficult reasons).

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ACTIVITY

In their Sixes or groups, ask them to create a list of the top tunes that mean something to them. The tunes must have a story behind them. They could be mum’s favourite track to sing along to at karaoke, a song that grandma used to sing to them, a song they sing at school or in assembly or a tune that reminds them of a specific holiday.

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musical memories

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Then ask the Brownies to think of times when a piece of music has been played alongside a very emotional moment for them. It may have been at a wedding, a funeral or a football match, etc.

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let go

This final part of the project starts to explore loss and death. It also encourages the Brownies to think about people they know that may be experiencing bereavement.

10 what is the difference between alive and dead? YOU WILL NEED: • leaves • plants.

11 how do hospices care for people? YOU WILL NEED: • a staff member or volunteer from your local hospice (ask them to remind the Pack that the sunflower is the emblem for the hospice movement) • drawing paper • coloured pencils and/or pens.

INTRODUCTION Talking to your Brownie Pack about the work of hospices need not be as difficult as it sounds. Consider contacting your local hospice and asking a volunteer to come and talk to the Pack for ten minutes about hospice care, how the Brownies might help to fundraise, and answer any

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INTRODUCTION

ACTIVITY

This exercise helps to teach the concept that life is an ongoing process and that death is a natural part of this process.

Display an object, eg an old dead leaf from a plant or a tree. Pass it round and ask the Brownies to think of some words that they could use to describe it. How they know it is dead? What does it feel like?

Ask the Brownies what they think the word ‘dead’ means. A character in a popular TV show may have died, or you may like to ask if any of the children have ever had a pet that has died. If so, get them to share their stories – maybe write a ‘memory list’ on a sheet of paper, which can include all the names of the special people, pets or things that they would like to remember.

questions/‘myths’ that the girls may have about hospices. ACTIVITY You may wish to start off thinking about care, and ask the Brownies to give examples of people who care for other people: • mum does granny’s shopping • a nurse cares for someone who is sick • a dentist helps someone who has toothache • a policeman helps someone who is lost • a fireman rescues a family from a house. You may then need to make a very basic introduction to hospices “Hospices are very special places that care for people who have a terminal illness, this means that the illness cannot be cured. Staff who work in hospices help people make the most of whatever time they have left to

Now bring out a live plant. What are the differences between this and the dead leaf? What do the girls notice? Make a list of all the characteristics of something that is alive, and something that is dead.

live. They also help the family of the person who is dying. Our local hospice is called . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and today, we are welcoming (name of hospice staff or volunteer) to come and tell us a bit more.” You will find information about how to contact your hospice at the start of this pack. Please see page two. Finally, you might ask the Brownies if they remember what the emblem of the hospice movement is (it is a sunflower). Invite the Brownies to draw their own pictures of sunflowers. These can then be given as a gift from the Pack to the hospice representative as something that might be used to decorate the hospice itself.

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count on me YOU WILL NEED: • card folded into greeting cards • colouring pens.

ACTIVITY

DISCUSSION

In a circle, ask the Brownies if they can think of any times when they or someone they know has experienced loss.

In some countries, people believe in reincarnation – that the soul moves on to a new body after death. For example, in parts of Australia, the Aborigines believed that after death, their warriors became dolphins. This belief was because dolphins help to herd fish and to protect people from shark attacks.

For example: • a friend moving a long way away • death of a relative or neighbour an older brother or sister moving out of home • moving house • death of a pet • changing schools. INTRODUCTION Everyone has to deal with change and loss in their lives, sometimes from a very young age. There are many different types of loss and not all of them are related to death. A person can grieve about the break-up of a friendship or after a parent, sibling or friend moves away. This activity intends to explore some of the emotions a person might feel at such a loss, and gives ideas which may help them to help others who have experienced loss.

Ask the Brownies how they think people may be feeling when this happens. What might they do to help a person who is upset because of such a loss? For example, join in an activity, send a card, give a gift, help out with odd jobs. Encourage them to think of as many ideas as possible. Ask the Brownies to think of one person they know who might be feeling upset, and to create a card for them. Inside, the Brownies should write a short, personal “thinking of you” message, sign the card and then post or deliver it.

Ask the Brownies what they would like to be if they were an animal? Act out the movement or characteristics of the animal for the other Brownies to guess. The Vikings believed that after death they would join their gods in an afterlife that was very much like the world they lived in. In the afterlife, they would need many of the same things that they used in life. Men were buried with weapons or tools, and women were buried with their jewellery. Ask the Brownies what three things they would take into another life if they could.

thinking of you thinking of you

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lights to remember YOU WILL NEED: • self-hardening clay • paint • decorations such as sequins (if you wish), and if so you will also need some glue • a tea light for each Brownie.

INTRODUCTION This activity is designed to think about people, pets or things, which for many reasons, we are missing. They may have moved a long way away, they may be sick in hospital, or they may have died. This activity can be linked into Christmas, as well as into local hospices’ ‘Light up a Life’ memorial events, which tend to take place in early December. You may even wish to do this activity with another Brownie group. The practical parts can be split into bitesizes, to take place over two or three meetings.

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• In the Jewish religion, a lamp Important note: when using tea is lit for 24 hours on the lights extreme care should be anniversary of the death of taken, in particular not to hang hair a loved one. or sleeves over the candle. Help the Hospices can provide the details of • In Catholicism, people light special candles called ‘votive can‘fake’ candles which have a light dles’ on All Souls Day, in memory. but no real flame – please contact • In Mexico, on The Day of the [email protected] Dead (1 November) families if this would be of interest. celebrate the lives of dead relatives with many traditions, ACTIVITY including lighting candles. • In some countries, an ‘eternal Explain to the Brownies that in flame’ burns to remember many cultures, lighting a candle is people of great significance, or symbolic, and represents one way major tragic or momentous that we can think of a loved one – events. It is a flame that is never or even a pet – who we miss. allowed to go out, and many examples can bee seen all over You may wish to ask the girls why the world, such as those in they think this might be. memory of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and at Ground Some answers might include: Zero in New York. • There is a soothing, healing effect in lighting a candle. Today, we are going to make our • A solitary candle brings light in very own ‘Light to Remember’. the darkness. • In some religions, the lit candle is FIRST PART: a symbol of the human spirit. • The simple ritual of lighting a Take a piece of clay the size of a candle and watching the tennis ball – or smaller if the hypnotic flickering flame is Brownies find it easier – and ask calming and relaxing. • During difficult or unhappy times, them to roll it out into a long sausage shape about 1cm thick. lighting a candle can give you Curl it round on itself to make a something to do, a way flat spiral shape, about 5-6cm in of focusing your thoughts, diameter. This is the base of the intension or prayers on a candle holder. If the sausage problem or a person. breaks, it’s easy to roll out some extra clay and use a dab of water EXAMPLES INCLUDE: to join and continue. Once the base has been made, • Hindus in Bengal, as part of start to build up the side by going Diwali – which is known as the around the edges until it is about Festival of Lights – light candles 5cm high. Taper the end of the to remember and honour their sausage and stick it down to ancestors. form a level edge. If the coils • Many Buddhists light candles on need help in sticking, use a 26 October every year to mark finger dipped in water to gently the Buddha’s visit to his dead smooth them together. mother.

lights to remember cont..

14 light up a life Every year at Christmas, most hospices run a very special service aimed at celebrating and remembering loved ones. This service is known as ‘Light up a Life’. In many cases, candles are lit for the people who have died and are being remembered. It is a very important part of the hospice year and gives us all the chance to remember, reflect, and come together for comfort.

SECOND PART:

THIRD PART:

Once the pot is dry, it can be painted inside and out with the chosen colour paint. Once the paint is dry, Brownies might even glue sequins or glitter or other decorations to the surface. Finally, Leaders need to give the candle holders a coat of varnish and allow them to dry.

Give each Brownie a tea light and ask them to put it in their ‘Lights to Remember’ holder. Invite them to, one by one, place the holder somewhere special and to say the name of someone they are missing, or that they are thinking of. Together with a Leader, the Brownies can then light their candles. One by one they are lit, as the Pack comes together to remember.

Why not contact your local hospice to see whether your Brownies can help out at a ‘Light up a Life’ event? This might be of interest to your Pack: • singing a song as people walk into the service • designing paper stars for the hospice Christmas tree • giving out leaflets to friends and families about the event • offering to collect donations at the event … and more. For more information visit www.lightupalife.org

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