Initial publicity
Word of mouth can be very effective at the beginning, but don’t stop there
- Request flyers from head office: we have leaflets to attract volunteers, and ones targeting families which you can download from our website
- Use posters to advertise your group nights at local libraries, community centers, cafes and schools etc. Posters are available from staff or you can download them from our website.
- Hold taster sessions to encourage parents and children to come along and find out more about your group
Publicity to children and families
Once you know where and when your group will meet, you will want to start publicising it to more children and families.
Social media and local websites can be very effective in attracting new families. You will find guidance on how to use social media safely here.
- Promote your group in online networks of like minded organisations and local community groups
- Set up a Facebook and Instagram page, Twitter profile to advertise your group.
- Netmums and Gumtree have also been effective in finding volunteers and families.
- Contact local schools – you could offer to hold an assembly, or taster activities after school, if this seems a bit daunting maybe you could write some text for the school newsletter and consider giving children flyers to take home.
- The Woodcraft Folk central Comms Team can also support with helping you publicise your group news and events plus recruitment for young members. You can request help with this via this form or or you can email info@woodcraft.org.uk.
Hold taster sessions
Try to hold at least one taster session before you start your group. They’re a great way to build your experience and reflect on what you have learnt. Your sessions can be held indoors or outdoors. Run activities for children and also take the opportunity to introduce parents and carers to Woodcraft Folk.
You can hold taster sessions throughout the year to help with recruitment.
Recruiting volunteers and registering with your local volunteer centre
To increase the adult capacity of your group we recommend that you recruit volunteers. We have poster and leaflet examples you can download and print or share digitally for volunteer recruitment.
Our volunteer toolkit is a great resource to help you recruit and support volunteers. It is always important to support new volunteers, and communicate what is expected of them, through an induction.
Contact your local volunteer centre and place an advert with them for the roles you are looking for. Don’t forget there are local student volunteering hubs too – you could target students on courses that reflect the roles you need.
The Woodcraft Folk central Comms Team can also support with helping you publicise volunteer opportunities you are recruiting for. You can submit roles here to be added to the Woodcraft Folk website and then you can email info@woodcraft.org.uk if you want these to be promoted on the national Woodcraft Folk channels.
Here are a few websites where you can advertise for volunteers:
Having a website presence and email
All registered groups are given a contacts page on our national Woodcraft Folk website in the ‘Find a group’ section. Your entry will include your contact information, meeting place, day and start time. We recommend that you use this web address on your promotional material.
All new groups are issued with an @woodcraft.org.uk email and Gmail account. Having a Gmail account gives you access to google drive, a suite of online software similar to Microsoft office.
If you need to update your group listing on Woodcraft Folk’s website you can request this here.
Continue on your new group journey
The New Group Journey is organised into seven broad subject areas: