Woodcraft folk
The development of a youth leadership programme for young people in
Woodcraft Folk
Woodcraft Folk youth leadership programme
1
Part of the Woodcraft Folk TREE (Training, Representation, Equality & Engagement)
programme, which is funded from April 2009 to March 2013 by the Big Lottery’s Young
People’s Fund 2
2
The Woodcraft Folk TREE programme aims to engage young people, aged 10-18 years, in
developing new volunteer roles within Woodcraft Folk that support young people to
influence policy, develop projects and contribute to decision making at a local, regional and
national level. This includes developing young people’s leadership skills.
Organisational background
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The Woodcraft Folk is a UK-wide charity, established in 1925, which aims to provide social
education to children and young people.
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There are approximately 400 local Woodcraft Folk groups operating across England,
providing weekly activities for Woodchips (under 6 years), Elfins (aged 6-9 years), Pioneers
(aged 10-12 years), Venturers (aged 13-15 years) and District Fellows (aged 16-20 years).
5
The Woodcraft Folk is now operating under its third strategic plan, which began in July
2008. The plan sets a number of strategic ambitions:
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We empower children and young people to influence society
We develop and use new and exciting approaches to learning
We are open and accessible to all
We are better known and understood
We prioritise camping and outdoor adventures
We are bigger and better
Internationalism
Overview of the youth leadership programme
6
The Woodcraft Folk TREE programme is looking to create a developmental programme that
supports and encourages young people to take on leadership roles within Woodcraft Folk
and wider society.
7
The concept of a formalised, but flexible, youth leadership programme has been developed
from direct feedback from young people seeking support and skill development
opportunities to take on leadership roles.
Woodcraft folk, Units 9 & 10, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BF
General Secretary: Jon Nott Registered charity number 1073665
T: +44 (0)20 7703 4173 F: +44 (0)20 7358 6370
E: info@woodcraft.org.uk W: www.woodcraft.org.uk
Consultant tasks
8
The Woodcraft Folk TREE programme is seeking a consultant, or team of consultants, to
develop and design a youth leadership programme to be delivered by volunteer youth
workers and mentors.
9
The youth leadership programme should be aimed at young people aged 13-16 years, and
be developmental as young people progress through Woodcraft Folk.
10 The youth leadership programme should include a series of activities for Woodcraft Folk
groups to complete during their regular weekly meetings. These sessions should be
participative and seek to develop leadership skills e.g. influencing others, session planning,
facilitation skills etc.
11 The youth leadership programme should include a guide for volunteer youth workers to
help them to facilitate activities and take the young people on a journey tailored to their
needs and interests.
12 The youth leadership programme should include a guide for young people to record and
reflect on their personal progress.
13 The youth leadership programme should offer young people wider recognition for their
achievements.
14 The youth leadership programme should be ready to pilot and test the activities at
CoCamp, a major Woodcraft Folk event in July 2011.
Development approach
15 The consultant should consult and engage young people, volunteer youth workers and staff
within Woodcraft Folk to develop the contents and structure of the youth leadership
programme. Specifically we would ask that the consultant engages the TREE programme
Steering Group and Woodcraft Folk Venturer Committee.
16 Consultation of young people, volunteer youth workers and staff may be held at Woodcraft
Folk events planned in the spring and early summer of 2011, including a Steering Group
residential (2nd - 3rd April) and the Annual Gathering and Conference (29th April – 2nd May).
A full timetable of consultation dates will be agreed with the consultant upon contracting.
17 The consultant should expect to train the TREE programme staff team and Woodcraft
Folk’s young trainers to roll out the youth leadership programme to groups.
Reporting
18 The consultant should provide regular reports, drafts and updates on progress agreed
against milestones. The timetable of reports will be agreed before contracting is finalised.
Procurement
19 The proposals should be no more than 10 pages of A4 and should include:
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A one page summary of your submission
An outline of your approach to developing the project tasks, including how you would
consult and engage young people and volunteer youth workers
A reflection on the challenges you might face in undertaking this activity and how you
may strive to overcome them
Experience of staff who will be allocated to the project
Examples of your previous work
An overall cost for the work
A timescale for carrying out the project
20 Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:
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Understanding of the brief
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to youth work principles
Experience of participative work involving young people and third sector organisations
Experience of developing resources and training for young people and volunteer youth
workers
Understanding of Woodcraft Folk aims, principles and approach
Cost
Please note, young people from the age of 10 upwards will be involved in shortlisting and
therefore all proposals should be accessible to them.
21 From the tenders received, we will invite a shortlist of not more than 4 consultants for
interview.
22 The anticipated budget for the project is £4,500
23 Woodcraft Folk reserves the right not to appoint and to achieve the outcomes of the
project through other methods.
24 The procurement timetable is:
a. Completed proposals to be returned to Woodcraft Folk by 10am on 10th February
2011
b. Interviews to be held 21st February 2011
25 Proposals should be sent by post or email to:
Rebecca Mattingly
Woodcraft Folk
Units 9 & 10
83 Crampton Street
London
SE17 3BQ
rebecca.mattingly@woodcraft.org.uk