Today, in Heart Unions Week, Woodcraft Folk — the co-operative movement for children and young people — has become the first ever community affiliate of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU).
Following a rule change agreed at the GFTU’s Biennial General Council Meeting (BGCM) in 2025, national community organisations are now able to apply for affiliation to the 127-year-old trade union federation, opening a new chapter in how the labour movement works alongside community-based organisations.
The GFTU has long demonstrated a strong commitment to the recruitment, development, and empowerment of young trade union members, including through its regular young members’ development weekends held at its headquarters and education centre in Quorn, Loughborough.
Commenting on the affiliation, Gawain Little, General Secretary of the GFTU, said:
“The recruitment, development, and empowerment of young people within the trade union movement is fundamental to its renewal. Through our wider federation and dedicated education programmes, we believe we provide the right support to help develop the future leaders of our movement — the workplace leaders of the 2030s.
This partnership is a vital step in building a stronger bridge between the trade union movement and young people. As it stands only 8% of employees between the ages of 16-24 are in trade unions, it’s time our movement addressed that.”
Woodcraft Folk has a long-standing commitment to the values of solidarity, cooperation, and collective action, and a proud history of working closely with the trade union movement.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, General Secretary and CEO of Woodcraft Folk, said:
“Woodcraft Folk has always seen itself as part of the workers movement, but this is the first affiliation directly from the Woodcraft Folk to a trade union body showing our renewed commitment to educate young people on trade unionism in the 21st century.
The GFTU is a perfect partner for us, it has consistently shown its commitment to young people. Through our existing relationship, the GFTU worked with us to help run a trade union centre at our Camp 100, introducing thousands of young people to the role and importance of trade unions.
Our work to promote cooperation, equality, and collective power closely aligns with the values of the GFTU and its affiliates. We look forward to deepening our relationship as the first ever community affiliate to the GTFU.”