Debs McCahon, Woodcraft Folk’s CEO, hosted the recent Supporters Update which focused on Woodcraft Folk’s centres. During the update, Debs celebrated that occupancy levels at Biblins, Cudham and Height Gate were increasing – even beating pre-pandemic levels! Debs also shared all the birthday celebrations which have been taking place – Height Gate’s 25th, Cudham’s 50th and Lockerbrook’s 60th planned for October 5th.
Debs shared Trustee ambitions for the centres, which included:
- Financial sustainability, seeking to cover all of their costs and generate funds to invest in centre improvements. Trustees and centre committees are very much aware of price increases and want to keep the centres affordable by attracting grant fundraising wherever possible. Debs shared that Biblins, Cudham and Lockerbrook had all benefited from Adventures Away from Home funding earlier in 2024.
- Environmental sustainability as the centres seek to achieve ambitious decarbonisation targets and reduce the impact of our activities on the environment.
- Increasing activities and experiences delivering Woodcraft Folk’s aims and principles to visiting groups
- Improving support to volunteers through training and facilitated events, such as the Elfin Activity weekends.
Debs also highlighted some of the work our centres have been doing with local schools, including the school refuser project at Biblins which after 5 weeks of co-operative activities has seen an improvement in school attendance by a small group of 14 year olds. She called upon all volunteers and supporters to share information about centres with their friends, families and colleagues – especially those who were teachers, youth workers or involved in community organisations. The centre network is keen to welcome more groups and organisations to benefit from the wonderful opportunities they have to offer.
And finally, Debs called for more volunteer support for our centres – committee members, painters, gardeners, social media wizards, game facilitators, KPs, fundraisers and those who just have a passion for supporting more children and young people to benefit from residential experiences. Debs shared a long list of events and activities taking place at the centres over the coming months, which included:
- Pioneer Camp @ Biblins, 28th July-3rd August
- Working weekend @ Cudham, 6th-8th September
- Elfin weekend @ Biblins, 13th-15th September
- London venturer weekend @ Cudham, 13th-15th September
- Venturer residential @ Lockerbrook, 20th-22nd September
- Camp Koodoo take down party @ Biblins, 4th-6th October
- 60th Birthday @ Lockerbrook, 5th October
- Venturer weekend @ Biblins, 11th-13th October
- Camps for All @ Height Gate, 25th-27th October
- Camps for All @ Cudham, 15th-17th November
- Volunteer working party @ Lockerbrook, 23rd & 24th November
- Elfin sleepover weekend @ Cudham, 13th-15th December
See Woodcraft Folk’s calendar for more events.
For a recording of the Update please visit here.