Here you will find the regular Covid-19 updates and guidance issued to Woodcraft Folk groups and members.

Updated 26 March 2021

COVID-19 Update: easing of lockdown restrictions in England & Scotland

Groups in England may resume face-to-face delivery outdoors only with effect from 29 March, subject to the restrctions and precautions outlined in the briefing note attached below, and detailed in the guidance produced by the National Youth Agency. An update to the guidnace issued earlier this month means that the maximum group size of 15 young people no longer applies to outdoor sessions.

Scottish groups are able to resume delivery outdoors only, and from 26 April may deliver session with up to 30 people (including young people and adult volunteers), again subject to the measures outlined in the guidance note below, and that issued by YouthLink Scotland in their guiding framework document.

Gwerin y Coed groups may also meet outdoors - no legal limit on numbers has been applied, but leaders should be guded by the available space and volunteers when considering group sizes. 

Before resuming any face-to-face delivery, groups are required to complete the appropriate version of the Reopening Checklist to notify Folk Office of their plans:

• Reopening Checklist for groups in England & Wales
  
• Reopening Checklist for groups in Scotland
  

Template risk assessments for England and for Scotland have also been prepared with outdoor sessions in mind - these outline many of the main risks and suggested mitigation measures, together with other factors that groups may need to conisder - these can be used by groups to inform their own risk assessment process.

• Woodcraft Folk Group Activities: England Groups Briefing (21 March 2021)

• Woodcraft Folk Group Activities: Scotland Groups Briefing (27 April 2021)

• Gwerin y Coed Group Activities: Wales Groups Briefing (1 April 2021)

• Webinar - guidance on returning to face to face provision (22nd March 2021)

• Webinar on Outdoor Socially Distant Activity Ideas for the summer term (24th March 2021)

Updated 5 January 2021

COVID-19 Update: new lockdowns in England & Scotland

Following the announcements of new lockdown restrictions in England & Scotland, face-to-face provision by Woodcraft Folk groups is no longer permitted in England, Scotland or Wales. Groups should deliver their activities online or via remote participation only, and should plan to do so for at least the first half of the Spring Term.

• Woodcraft Folk Group Activities: Briefing for Group Leaders (5 January  2021)

Updated 21st December 2020

COVID-19 Update: Introdcution of Tier 4 in England

Following the announcement of a new 'Tier 4' at the weekend, covering London and much of the South East of England, the National Youth Agency have advised us that the readiness state for youth work in these areas is now RED, meaning no face-to-face activities are to be undertaken. In all other areas of England, the AMBER state remains in force, as per the guidance issued on 2 December, available below.

Woodcraft Folk will update its guidance to groups early in the new year. In the meantime, please refer to the NYA's guidance page. It is unclear at present how long tier 4 restrictions will be in place, but groups in these areas are advised to plan for an online-only programme for the first half of the Spring Term.

Updated 2nd December 2020

• Woodcraft Folk Group Activities: Briefing for Group Leaders (updated 2nd December 2020)

Updated November 2020

COVID-19 Update:  Please read our guidance for group activities under the new national restrictions.

• Woodcraft Folk Group Activities: Briefing for Group Leaders (updated 17th November 2020)

Previous updates 

• The Common Ground team have agreed to postpone the camp until 2022. For more information about this and to read their FAQS, click here. 

• COVID-19 update: Members update from the joint Executives 1st May 

• COVID-19 update: Members update from the joint Chief Executives 6th April

• COVID-19 update: FAQs for groups 18th March

• COVID-19 update: Folk Office and staff working remotely 

• COVID-19 update : issued 13th March 

• COIVID-19 update: issued 9th March

If you have any questions regarding our policies and procedures regarding COVID-19, please email safeguarding@woodcraft.org.uk.