Woodbrooke talks of ‘period of significant change’
'Separating Learning & Research from the Centre does not mean an end to in-person learning or the closure of the Woodbrooke Centre.'
The Quaker study centre Woodbrooke has issued a statement signalling ‘a period of significant change’. Describing how ‘the pandemic has changed Woodbrooke irrevocably’, the statement published on 28 July says that ‘new challenges have brought long-standing issues of financial sustainability into sharp focus’.
Following two years of discernment, Woodbrooke trustees decided in June that it was best to consider the Learning & Research programme and the Woodbrooke Centre separately. ‘This will help us focus on ensuring Woodbrooke remains at the cutting edge of Quaker thinking and learning, whilst allowing clear discernment to take place on the best use of the Centre moving forward.’
Separating Learning & Research from the Centre does not mean an end to in-person learning or the closure of the Woodbrooke Centre (which still hosts retreats and self-catering flats). But trustees say it does mean ‘a period of significant change’. Answering the question ‘By considering the Learning & Research separately from the Woodbrooke Centre, does this mean that the site will be sold?’, trustees say they are ‘considering many options’, but they ‘will be made with great care’.
The statement – signed by Ingrid Greenhow, clerk to Woodbrooke trustees, and Sandra Berry, director of Woodbrooke – asks Friends to ‘uphold everyone involved… as we go through this transition. Change brings opportunities but it can also entail letting go’.
The statement also welcomes Martin Ford as interim co-CEO at Woodbrooke. He will focus on the Learning & Research side of Woodbrooke. As a trustee of The Retreat in York, Martin Ford has ‘direct experience of the complexities of a period of considerable change’. He was also part of the Vibrancy in Meetings steering group and is an advocate of local development workers. The current director, Sandra Berry, will develop the strategy for the Woodbrooke Centre.
The statement addresses BYM’s funding relationship with Woodbrooke; the future of residential courses; and why Woodbrooke is not open for bed and breakfast. It also describes how the library of Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and The Library of the Society of Friends at Friends House are each part of the charitable work of Woodbrooke and BYM as two separate charities.
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