Denice Spence CBE has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from YouthLink Scotland, an organisation whose vision is that young people realise their full potential through youth work. She was presented with her award at the National Youth Work Awards 2026 event in Glasgow on 03 June 2026.

Denise has been in Girlguiding for more than 30 years. She was a Guide leader in England before moving to Scotland. She is currently a Rainbow leader with 1st Hopefield Rainbows in Midlothian. 

In the 1990's Denise worked for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS), where she helped restart guiding in Central and Eastern Europe following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Denise has also been CEO of both Girlguiding UK and Girlguiding Scotland, where she has led large programmes of modernisation and development. 

Through her many roles, Denise has been nurturing and inspiring girls across the UK and Scotland for generations. She is incredibly kind and compassionate, and her calm leadership has been valued by the many people who have been fortunate to work with her. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2021.

Congratulations Denise on your Lifetime Achievement Award!