Girls Friendly Society

Who we are

When you join the GFS team, you’ll become part of a significant history as we approach our 150th anniversary. Our vision is of a world where girls and young women are free to be themselves and feel proud of who they are. Our mission is to support and inspire girls and young women. We will create spaces where they feel safe and valued, so that they can build strong foundations that will prepare them for life’s challenges. Our staff team and national network of more than 200 volunteers deliver a variety of activities, services and support to girls and young women in a safe, non-judgmental environment throughout England and Wales.

Girls as young as six tell us they cannot be themselves and we can see that they are disadvantaged by this. The pressures on girls in today’s world make it hard for them to feel like they can be themselves. This affects their confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and social connections, and holds them back, contributing to the ongoing issue of gender inequality. GFS provides safe spaces where girls can be themselves, feel accepted and develop the skills they need to cope with these pressures, particularly before they enter their teenage years where these challenges can grow. You can find more information about GFS at girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk.

GFS is an ambitious organisation, with plans for growth, and a commitment to hearing girls voices in everything we do and we primarily work with girls in the parts of England and Wales where they face the greatest disadvantage.

Our team is passionate about achieving a more equal society, and we apply that ethos to our staff just as much as our girls and volunteers. We are committed to supporting people to be the best they can be, and this includes opportunities for training and development, job share and flexible working, as well as being part of a mutually collaborative forward-thinking team.    

Our culture and values

Our culture and values

Our values are important to us and we are looking for those who join us to want to embrace them too:

Ambitious - We have big aspirations. For our organisation, for the girls and young women we interact with and for a fair future.

Girl focused - We are here to make a difference for girls and young women. Everything we do will be in the interest of and informed by them.

Brave - We make brave choices in support of what we know is right.

Feminist - GFS is a community, where girls and women support each other and seek to address the inequalities faced by women in all that we do.

Inclusive - We believe in a fair society for everyone, and all girls and women are welcome at GFS. We will not let personal circumstances to be barriers to engaging with our services.

Fun - Although girls and young women face challenges, we also believe in the importance of approaching our mission with a sense of fun.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Equity Diversity and inclusion is of strategic importance to GFS. We encourage applications from ethnically and racially minoritised, disabled and from LGBTQ+ people to build our best staff and volunteer teams and reflect the girls we serve.