Best known for their weekly uniformed community groups which are open to children and young people, Girls' Brigade also offers leadership training, faith retreats, conferences, and award programmes.
Today Girls’ Brigade is arguably the church’s most prominent international youth movement for girls and its longevity can be attributed to its ability to remain relevant and responsive to meet the needs of the current generation whilst continuing to remain rooted in unchanging values of the Christian faith.
The Girls' Brigade's principles are "Acknowledges Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord according to the Scriptures and seeks to fulfil its aim to the Glory of One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit", "Witnesses to the standard set by Jesus Christ and gives positive teaching on the Christian attitude to life", and "Promotes a just society where all people are equally valued.
[4] The modern Brigade was formed as the result of the consolidation of three organisations: Rooted in the Gospel, Miss Margaret Lyttle started a girls’ club in Sandymount Presbyterian Church in Dublin in 1893.
[5] The Girls' Brigade programme in many countries follows four themes: Spiritual, Physical, Educational, and Social.
The four themes of the programme are based on a passage from the Bible, Luke 2:52: "And Jesus grew in body and wisdom, gaining favour with God and men."
During their time in the Girls' Brigade and throughout their lives thereafter, young people are encouraged to participate in activities other than just badge work, such as social engagement projects, summer camps, residential training events, mission trips and leadership courses for 14 to 25-year-olds.
In Ireland, the Girls' Brigade is divided into the following sections: The main leader is called the Captain, and her next-in-charge is the Lieutenant.
The Girls' Brigade operates internationally and is divided into five Fellowships: African, Asian, Caribbean and Americas, European, and Pacific.
There are five Asian countries that have Girls' Brigade companies:[12] Quindell Ferguson is the International Vice President for Caribbean & Americas.
There are 17 countries in the Americas that have Girls' Brigade companies:[13] Amelia Heaford is the International Vice President for Europe.