Woodbrooke

Who we are

Woodbrooke strives to function ethically and minimise our impact on the planet. We are very fortunate to be based in a Grade 2 listed building, within 10 acres of organically managed grounds, including a walled garden, mature woodland and a lake.

Woodbrooke offers a range of short courses on site (typically 2-5 days), workshops for Quaker meetings across the UK and beyond, as well as online courses and webinars. We also provide longer programmes of study, including Postgraduate studies linked to the University of Birmingham and Lancaster University, as well as hosting a variety of Quaker groups for events focused on their specific interests. These programmes are delivered by our Programmes Team and by volunteer and freelance Associate Tutors.

We have a staff group of about 50 people, some full-time, some part-time, some Quakers and some non-Quakers. Our teams cover our learning programmes, finance, sales and reservations, housekeeping and maintenance, gardening and catering. Our Director is supported by an unpaid Board of Trustees, all of whom are required to be Quakers.

Our current learning programme includes Quaker history and theology; supporting individual and corporate witness in relation to issues of interest to Quakers, such as peace, economic and social justice and sustainability; community building within Quaker meetings and exploration of contemporary issues faced by Quakers; and the exploration of a wide range of personal spiritual practices, including creative arts and spirituality. It also incorporates a large element of training provision for Friends undertaking particular roles in their meetings.

But Woodbrooke is much more than a study centre. Our 70 bedrooms and 10 meeting rooms are used as conference facilities, for both residential and daytime events, by numerous organisations, many of which are third sector, educational or religious organisations. We also welcome many individual visitors to Woodbrooke staying on a bed and breakfast basis, being with us while they visit Birmingham.

In any one year, about one-third of all our guests are attending a course, one-third at a conference, and one-third staying as a visitor. It makes for an interesting and rewarding mix of people.

We have a Customer Promise, QUALITY SERVICE, QUAKER VALUES, which is underpinned by three themes:

• Woodbrooke seeks to offer warm and efficient hospitality to individuals and groups.
• We hope those who stay experience a relaxed and welcoming environment, which reflects the Quaker commitment to openness and respect for all.
• As well as aiming to provide a high standard of service to guests, we are also concerned with sustainability and make a conscious effort to limit our impact on the environment.

Woodbrooke is Europe's only Quaker Study Centre and was founded in 1903 as a response to the educational needs of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). In Britain and the rest of Europe Quakers have no paid ministers or other leaders and so all who are involved have a role in supporting the life and work of the Society. As a result of this, it was felt essential that the membership should have access to learning that would equip them to contribute to this shared ministry. John Wilhelm Rowntree was a major figure in the inspirational drive which led the local chocolate manufacturer, George Cadbury to offer his former family home for the purpose of educating Quakers and others.