Publicity, branding and recruitment webinar hosted by our Communications Manager, Lauren Penny. This session will help you to publicise your group, access the Woodcraft Folk branding tools online and offer advice on how to successfully recruit volunteers and children through publicity and social media.

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You can also find a template for a press release here if you want to promote your group with local media outlets. If you need any help with contacting the press, please contact info@woodcraft.org.uk. Our our Communications 101 webinar, which you can find here also has some handy tips on how to secure media coverage. It is important to include a few images with your press release and to attach all these to a cover email. It is usually advised to ring the press outlet too to inform them of your story and a press release being on its way.

You can request tailored promotional templates and printing of promotional material by Woodcraft Folk’s Communications Team. You do this by filling in this form. The Communications Team also have customisable templates available that can be accessed on platform Canva for you to edit yourself. If you wish to have access to these, please email lauren.penny@woodcraft.org.uk. This is a very easy to use, drag and drop platform where you will be able to insert your own images and information on your group to templates for both social media graphics and posters/templates. When editing the graphics, please reference the brand guidelines document which can be accessed here. It is also really important that you copy the template files you want to use before you edit them otherwise you will work and write over the master copy. 

The central office can also support with distributing news stories and promoting your group via Woodcraft Folk’s national communications channels. You can submit news stories here or contact the central office on the email address above for more specific support.

Contact info@woodcraft.org.uk if you have any questions regarding promoting your group.

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You can also find a template for a press release here if you want to promote your group with local media outlets. If you need any help with contacting the press, please contact info@woodcraft.org.uk. Our our Communications 101 webinar, which you can find here also has some handy tips on how to secure media coverage. It is important to include a few images with your press release and to attach all these to a cover email. It is usually advised to ring the press outlet too to inform them of your story and a press release being on its way.

You can request tailored promotional templates and printing of promotional material by Woodcraft Folk’s Communications Team. You do this by filling in this form. The Communications Team also have customisable templates available that can be accessed on platform Canva for you to edit yourself. If you wish to have access to these, please email lauren.penny@woodcraft.org.uk. This is a very easy to use, drag and drop platform where you will be able to insert your own images and information on your group to templates for both social media graphics and posters/templates. When editing the graphics, please reference the brand guidelines document which can be accessed here. It is also really important that you copy the template files you want to use before you edit them otherwise you will work and write over the master copy.

The central office can also support with distributing news stories and promoting your group via Woodcraft Folk’s national communications channels. You can submit news stories here or contact the central office on the email address above for more specific support.

To support our aim to widen participation in Woodcraft Folk, artwork is available for publicity materials in Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu and Polish (please note, we are currently updating these).

Contact info@woodcraft.org.uk if you have any questions regarding promoting your group.

The post Publicity Posters appeared first on Woodcraft Folk.

You can also find a template for a press release here if you want to promote your group with local media outlets. If you need any help with contacting the press, please contact info@woodcraft.org.uk. Our our Communications 101 webinar, which you can find here also has some handy tips on how to secure media coverage. It is important to include a few images with your press release and to attach all these to a cover email. It is usually advised to ring the press outlet too to inform them of your story and a press release being on its way.

You can request tailored promotional templates and printing of promotional material by Woodcraft Folk’s Communications Team. You do this by filling in this form. The Communications Team also have customisable templates available that can be accessed on platform Canva for you to edit yourself. If you wish to have access to these, please email lauren.penny@woodcraft.org.uk. This is a very easy to use, drag and drop platform where you will be able to insert your own images and information on your group to templates for both social media graphics and posters/templates. When editing the graphics, please reference the brand guidelines document which can be accessed here. It is also really important that you copy the template files you want to use before you edit them otherwise you will work and write over the master copy. 

The central office can also support with distributing news stories and promoting your group via Woodcraft Folk’s national communications channels. You can submit news stories here or contact the central office on the email address above for more specific support.

To support our aim to widen participation in Woodcraft Folk, artwork is available for publicity materials in Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu and Polish (please note, we are currently updating these).

Contact info@woodcraft.org.uk if you have any questions regarding promoting your group.

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Download PDF versions of recent leaflets that you can use to advertise your group to young people, parents and carers, and potential volunteers.

To support our aim to widen participation in Woodcraft Folk, artwork is available for publicity materials in Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu and Polish.

The post Publicity Leaflets – Community Languages appeared first on Woodcraft Folk.

When you’re sending communications out on behalf of Woodcraft Folk (whether it’s Folk Office, a centre or your local group or district), we advise that you adhere to our brand guidelines document which can be found here. You can also download a folder via this link which includes variations of our logo. Below details some simple steps you can follow to help us become better known and understood as an organisation.

1. Use our name consistently

When talking about Woodcraft Folk use our full name. ‘Woodies’, ‘The Folk’, ‘Woodcraft’ might be understandable to those who are already involved, but using ‘Woodcraft Folk’ whenever we are writing or talking about our organisation will help more people to understand that we’re all part of the same thing.

2. Format your text

Woodcraft Folk use two core fonts, Montserrat and Poppins Bold. Our brand identity requires a consistent and correct use of the fonts.

For the main text of your email, flyer or letter, use Montserrat in its regular weight. In most cases you want a font size of 11 or 12pt. We use this font as it is a standard font on the Google Suite, as well as being supported by web browsers and email clients. This means that most people will be able to both create and view text in this font. It should look the same for the recipient as when you write it, even when you use different systems.

For headlines use ​Monserrat Bold​ (select the font Monserrat and then apply bold formatting in most word processing software). You want to make titles stand out, so use 14pt for main headings and 12pt for sub-headings. ​You can also use bold in the text to emphasise key points.​

For titles use Poppins Bold.

3. Use an up-to-date logo

You can download a folder containing Woodcraft Folk’s logos in the side panel on this web page.

We’ve made subtle changes to the logo over the years, with the most recent design created in 2011 following a branding project mandated by Annual Gathering. It helps us to be better known and understood if we all use the same logo. Below shows the version of the logo that we’d like everybody to be using. It comes in three variations:

As you can see, it comes in colour, black & white, and outline versions depending on where you are using it. If you will be printing in colour or your communication will only be viewed on screens, use the colour version. If you need to print in black & white, or you’re overlaying the logo onto a vibrant photo or other strong coloured background for a publication, a single colour version of the logo will work better.

The logo should appear at least once in each document or communication, but it definitely shouldn’t appear more than once on the same page. If the communication is going mostly to non-members e.g. a flyer to promote a group or a letter to an MP or newspaper, then you should always use the logo accompanied by the organisation name and strapline. Variations of the logo accompanied with the strapline can be found in the side panel on this page where you can download a folder with most versions of the logo.

A logo option should be chosen based on which variation makes the logo stand out the clearest and most prominent as well as taking into account communication type and audience.

The brand guidelines document in the side panel details more info on logo use and application.

If you need to resize the logo to fit your publication, make sure the logo isn’t distorted and remains it’s circular form. If it is enlarged to the point of becoming pixelated, get in touch with info@woodcraft.org.uk​and we can supply the file at a larger resolution. For professional print quality, you can use a vectorised .EPS version of the logo, however this isn’t compatible with all word processing software. If you require an .EPS logo please contact info@woodcraft.org.uk. The Communications Team can also supply versions of the logo on a transparent background if you want to overlay it on backgrounds/photos. Please email info@woodcraft.org.uk if you could like a copy of these.

4. Use a good picture

One of the challenges with communications that members raise a lot, is that our name and logo don’t tell people exactly what we do. That might change in the future, but for now the best thing to do is use photos wherever possible that show what we have to offer. Using strong imagery in communications grabs attention and is an opportunity to create a feel for what Woodcraft Folk stands for.

If you are creating a flyer for a group, sending out an email about an event, or creating a publication, try to lead with images that are relevant to what you are talking about. As a minimum they should be:

• In focus
• Of a high enough resolution so they’re not pixelated
• In full colour (unless you have to print in black and white)
• Credit any creator if it is required

Remember we are a charity for children and young people, so in most circumstances the most appropriate image will be of a children and young people taking part in activities. You need to make sure appropriate permissions have been sought from the people in the photo or their parents/guardians for it to be used for publicity purposes.

If your want to use any image that is not created by yourself you must have permission to use it for the intended purpose.

If you’re trying to promote a specific event or opportunity, think about whether that image would make you want to attend. Do the attendees look like they’re enjoying the training? Is the image showing the most attractive activities that take place on camp? If you’re setting up a new group or trying a new activity for the first time, you can ask Folk Office or neighbouring groups and districts if they have an image that you could use.

Woodcraft Folk have an image library so if you are struggling for a photo, please contact us at info@woodcraftfolk.org.uk and we will do our best to find an image to match your needs.

5. Colour palette

Woodcraft Folk have a bright and engaging colour palette which is to be used for communications and publicity material. To find out more about Woodcraft Folk’s colour palette, please read the brand guidelines.

6. Further info

If you need help with branding or communications, do get in touch ​info@woodcraft.org.uk​

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We are Woodcraft Folk and…

… we change the world.

We support our members to celebrate and question the world around them. We enable them to bring about the changes that they want in order to create a more equal and caring world.

… we are youth led. 

We support young people to participate, take the lead, and make decisions about their programme and how the organisation is run. We empower them to become active citizens locally and globally. 

… we welcome everyone. 

Our groups, events, centres and volunteer roles are open to all. We do our best to remove any barriers to participation. 

… we are co-operative.

We practice cooperation and teamwork through all of our activities.

… we understand and respect our one world. 

We think it’s important to learn about our environment and how we can take better care of it. We develop international understanding and friendship through our activities and exchanges.

… we’ve been running since 1925 and we’re still going strong!

We’ve changed over the past century, but draw on our heritage and what we’ve learnt as we move forward. 

Example elevator pitch:

Woodcraft Folk is a co-operative youth movement open to everyone. We support children to take the lead and change their world through weekly local group activities and camping trips as well as national and international events and opportunities. Woodcraft Folk activities grow children’s confidence, help develop skills as well as build an understanding and respect of the world around them. We’ve been running since 1925 and we’re still going strong!

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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:

• Doit.org
• Volunteering.org
• Charity Jobs

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:

1. Getting Started and the people you need
2. Publicity and outreach
3. Working together
4. Finance & Group Admin
5. Programme planning
6. Being part of the Folk
7. Staying safe

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