With the support of our Public Health Team, local girl guide group, the 1st Babbacombe Guides Unit has developed and is working towards a brand new COVID Champions’ badge. This is to complement the successful COVID Community Champions group which has been running in Torbay since November 2020.

The COVID Champions badge, which is one of the first of its kind, is a fun, interactive way to share information and looks at the challenges, as well as solutions, the pandemic has created. It will see girls, aged between 10 and 14 years old, take part in a range of 15 activities to achieve their badge.

1st Babbacombe Guide leader Rachel Boyko said: “The pandemic has been a huge part of our guides’ lives over the past twelve months, creating the COVID Champions badge recognises this and will help us to think about the impact it has had on us all.

“In our typical girl guide approach, our guides will choose how to approach some of our challenges around COVID-19 themes. From designing posters to coming up with ways to help look after the more vulnerable members of our community and friends and family - we're very excited to see the badge activities roll out. The badge will also be designed by the 1st Babbacombe Guides Unit."

Councillor Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, Torbay Council said: "This is a fantastic idea from one of our local groups for young people. It is one that we are proud to be able to support and look forward to hearing all about how the girls at the 1st Babbacombe Guides Unit get on over the next few weeks."

If you are a youth group and would like to consider developing a similar programme for your group please contact champions@torbay.gov.uk.