The Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association in London

We work with over 1200 children and young people to enable them to live life to the full.

All of our groups are operated by local volunteers who are committed to helping our members achieve their maximum potential. Our work with young people, regardless of gender, is made possible by the time and effort contributed by our volunteer leaders.

At The Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association, there is something for everyone, whether it is camping, kayaking, first aid, or five-a-side football. Members build skills, gain confidence, make new friends, take on responsibilities, and are encouraged to make a real difference in their communities by sharing the values that define us all.

The Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association membership has benefits that go beyond the obvious. For example, members can rely on a consistent support network throughout their time with one of our local groups. Our volunteers will be there for them during significant changes in their lives and provide support for the entire family when needed most. Furthermore, children and young people can take a break from the pressures of school by being a part of The Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association each week.


Within The Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association children and young people are divided into four age groups, which allows for age appropriate activities to be run. Each age group is shown below:

Children aged 5*-8
School Years 1*-3
Children aged 8-11
School Years 4-6

*Some groups will accept four year old’s who have started mainstream school in Reception.

Young People aged 11-14
School Years 7-9
Young People aged 14-18
School Years 10-13

Some of our local groups do not work with girls, especially when there is already a uniformed youth organization, such as The Girls’ Brigade or Girl Guiding, meeting at the same or nearby location.


Volunteering with a local group can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You not only get to give back to your community but also make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people. By taking up a volunteering role, you can help create a safe, engaging, and fun environment for them to learn and grow.

Additionally, volunteering can also provide you with the opportunity to develop new skills, meet new people, and gain valuable experience that can boost your career prospects. You can develop skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and time management that can be useful in any profession.

So why not consider volunteering with us? Whether you have an hour a month or an hour a day to spare, there’s a role for you. You can get involved with tasks such as marketing, website and social media management, accounting, administration, driving, supporting trips and residential activities, planning and delivering weekly activities, and more.

Everyone has something to offer, so if you want to make a difference in the lives of children and young people, contact your local group today to find out how you can get involved. Take advantage of this opportunity to give back to your community, learn new skills, and make a positive impact!


London District Strategy 2023-2028

The Boys’ Brigade in London has faith in young people and supports Companies & Battalions, to provide them with opportunities to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun and caring environment that is rooted in the Christian faith. It will do this through workstreams that connect, equip, enable & engage,

The five-year strategy for the work of the District will guide the use of the District financial resources and volunteer efforts. From the data that provides the foundation of the strategy, three goals have been identified that contribute to the mission and these are outlined below.

  • Children & Young People
  • Leaders
  • New Companies & Sections

The three goals will be enabled through the support functions of:

  • Communication
  • Governance
  • Finance

Our History

The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow on 4th October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith. The enthusiasm of local leaders to provide opportunities for young people resulted in one local group in Glasgow being transformed into a worldwide movement that currently operates in over sixty countries around the world.

The first Boys’ Brigade Company in London was founded in 1885. The organisation quickly grew and, in 1901, the London District of The Boys’ Brigade was formed to support these local groups, a role the organisation continues to do to this day.


London District Supporters Network

The London District Supporters Network was launched in the summer of 2021 and replaced the London 100 Club. The aim of the network is to allow all those who were previously part of, or support the work of The Boys’ Brigade in London and members receive regular updates informing them of what is going on within London District.

We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different and as such, there is no set cost to be a member of the network. All we ask is that you provide us with a donation for the amount that you feel is appropriate, on a monthly or annual basis.