Rhea Varker, a cake baker from Canvey Island, has worn a lot of different hats at EIJ over the years. "I've been a Participant, and a member of Staff, in Build, Carnival, Entertainment, the Coffee Shop, and I was in Reef Knot!", she says. Reef Knot was EIJ's very own band in 2008.

On Monday she came to Boyton Cross wearing another new hat: her "Ms. Essex" crown. Rhea won the title just four weeks ago. She was here to try some of the activities, (including ziplining and caving), show off her collection of EIJ neckers, perform on the Beach stage, and to tell the world about how events like EIJ have shaped her. "It's great to be back," she exclaims, "it's a bit strange!". She's chosen to use her term to spread the word about Scouting's positive impact on Mental Health.

According to Rhea, Girlguiding and Scouting provide participants and their leaders with confidence. "It's the building blocks to tackle anything", she says, "you get experiences and challenges others don'tackle".

Explaining why she chose this as a focus area, she shared her personal journey. "Scouting helped me get out of the house," she admits, "it even gave me confidence to run a camp!".

Through the years Rhea has been part of a few Scout Groups, but has most recently been an Explorer leader in Castle Point. She's been involved in a few 'first's there. "I was the first girl invested in Castle Point, and I started the first Squirrel Drey there too".

In particular, Rhea told us about how Girlguiding and Scouting programmes help young people to be themselves. "Don't worry about social media," she says "we help our young people to learn that it's ok to be yourself and who you are." "Social media has brought a lot of pressure on young people, especially girls, to be 'perfect'", she warns " but it isn't real, just a snippet." Guiding and Scouting helps to youth members to learn to ignore social media - "unless it's positive!".

This positive impact on mental health can even start with Rainbows and Squirrels. "They learn to speak about 'what makes me, me!', they learn about feelings, makes them happy, grumpy or sad" "They talk through emotions", she says, " and they can, much like in first aid, learn to ask someone who needs some help, what do you need help with".

Rhea says that the skills to be a Ms. Essex, were the skills she learned in being a Leader, "look at the effect you can have on others, see that you are a role model". For Rhea, it's clearly not about 'just being a pretty face'.