New Groups in West Leeds, as Children’s Charity Celebrates 90 years.

Two new groups for ages 6-9 and 10-12 are looking for more families and volunteers in Bramley. 

Groups meet every Wednesday, 6-7pm, at Hollybush School, Broad Lane LS13 2JJ, during term-time. A Saturday morning group meets nearby for ages 2-6.

To book a free taster session for your child, or to help out with one of our groups, please contact Eden on 07908 379983, eden@woodcraft.org.uk, Facebook: Woodcraft Folk – West Yorkshire New Groups Project or see www.woodcraft.org.uk/ngp.

What makes Woodcraft Folk different? 

Wide ranging weekly activities cost less than £2 and offer something for everyone, while challenging and stretching young people:

• Energetic outdoor and indoor games
• Art and crafts
• Night walks
• Discussion activities about social issues
• Exploring nature
• Campfire songs and toasting marshmallows
• Social action projects from community events to campaigning

Young people grow in confidence, learn about the world and start to understand how to value our planet and each other. Fun activities make big ideas accessible and no-one has to be the best, the fastest or the smartest. Our games focus on fun, not winning.

Volunteers and parents/ carers work co-operatively and shape activities to suit the group. Young people help plan, organise and lead at their level. Over half of the trustees are under 25. All ages share tasks such as cooking and collecting firewood at camp.

Benefits of Woodcraft’s flexible volunteering opportunities are:

• Free training
• Meeting new people
• Giving something back to your community
• Learning new skills: camping, group work, admin, finance.

Woodcraft Folk celebrated 90 years with a Big Northern Birthday Picnic at Kirkstall Abbey, for 200 people from across the region. Since 1925, volunteers have been getting children outdoors, and promoting big ideas about co-operation and democracy through fun. Groups aim to be affordable and open to all. 

Woodcraft Folk is growing in West Yorkshire and aims to attract 400 more children, plus 120 new leaders, by March 2016. The Youth United Foundation funding for new groups is government money from bankers’ LIBOR fines. It encourages young people to get involved in social action through joining groups. New groups launching this autumn include Kirkstall Valley, Yeadon, Otley, Potternewton Park and Allerton Bywater, while four opened earlier this year in Headingley and Meanwood.  Bradford new groups are in Shipley, Heaton, Horton and Thornton, soon to be followed by Bradford Moor.

Now is a great time to join other families and volunteers at your nearest weekly group (Leeds):

• Woodchips (2-5s)
  • Mon 4-5.30, Bracken Edge School, Potternewton Park
  • Thu 4-5, Meanwood Institute, Green Rd
  • Fri 3.30-4.30, Shire Oak School, Wood Lane, Headingley
  • Sat 10.30-11.30, Lilac Pocket Park, Victoria Park Grove, Bramley

• Elfins (6-9s)
  • Mon 4-5.30, Bracken Edge School, Potternewton Park
  • Mon 6.15-7.30, Meanwood Community Centre, Stainbeck Ave
  • Wed 6-7, Hollybush School, Broad Lane, Bramley
  • Thu 6-7.15, Shire Oak School, Wood Lane, Headingley
  • Thu 6.15-7.15, Gledhow School, Lidgett Lane
  • TBC Tue 6-7, Brigshaw Trust, Allerton Bywater, Castleford
  • TBC Yeadon and Otley

• Pioneers (10-12s)
  • Mon 6.15-7.30, Meanwood Community Centre,  Stainbeck Ave
  • Wed 6-7, Hollybush School, Broad Lane, Bramley